Sweet 16 schedule, bracket predictions as men's March Madness games are finalized
Live predictions, picks as Sweet 16 schedule and bracket are finalized for second weekend of 2025 March Madness. Who will reach NCAA Tournament Elite Eight?
The first weekend of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament is nearly finished — but it's never too early to look ahead to the next round of games, namely the Sweet 16.
Half of the men's field advanced to the Sweet 16 on Saturday, with Auburn, Houston, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Purdue, Michigan, BYU and Arkansas winning their respective second-round games.
Now, only a few games remain on Sunday to finalize the Sweet 16 bracket.
The headliners for Sunday include a meeting between No. 1 seed Florida and No. 8 seed UConn, the two-time defending national champion. The Gators upended Huskies, moving to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. No. 2 Alabama secured its fourth trip to the Sweet 16 under Nate Oats when it beat No. 7 Saint Mary's 80-66.
Elsewhere, No. 2 seed Michigan State, led by Tom Izzo, will take on Richard Pitino and No. 10 seed New Mexico. No. 4 seed Arizona will take on No. 5 Oregon in a meeting of former Pac-12 teams.
Follow along for live predictions for the Sweet 16 as the bracket and schedule are finalized:
Sweet 16 predictions
(1) Houston vs. (4) Purdue
Prediction: Houston 69, Purdue 62
This should be a fascinating chess match between the sport’s best defense and one of its most efficient offenses. The Cougars, who have won 28 of their past 29 games, should keep their streak rolling and exorcise some of their recent Sweet 16 demons.
(3) Texas Tech vs. (10) Arkansas
Prediction: Arkansas 78, Texas Tech 74
Don’t let the No. 10 seed fool you. The Razorbacks’ roster, full of five-star recruits and prized transfers, has been playing up to its potential for the better part of two months now and are hitting their stride. It will be just enough to get by JT Toppin and the Red Raiders.
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(1) Auburn vs. (5) Michigan
Prediction: Auburn 82, Michigan 70
Dusty May — and an offense built seamlessly around two seven-footers — has led a remarkable turnaround at Michigan. The Wolverines have reached this point narrowly, though, with seven of their past nine wins coming by three points or fewer. Whether it’s mental toughness from a veteran group or a bit of luck, that run will end against the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed.
(2) Tennessee vs. (3) Kentucky
Prediction: Kentucky 70, Tennessee 66
Mark Pope's Wildcats have been a resilient bunch all season, stacking up Quadrant One wins despite dealing with injuries to key players. They went 2-0 against Tennessee in the regular season, one of which came without dynamic scorer Jaxson Robinson, who's out for the season. They'll continue their winning ways against the Volunteers and earn a spot in the Elite Eight.
(2) Alabama vs. (6) BYU
Prediction: BYU 85, Alabama 84
The Cougars have won 11 of their past 12, with their lone loss coming to Houston, one of the few teams in the country hotter than them. In a matchup of two of the most 3-point-happy teams in the sport, this one will likely come down to whichever side is firing more effectively from beyond the arc.
(1) Florida vs. (4) Maryland
Prediction: Florida 87, Maryland 75
A Derik Queen buzzer-beater saved the Terrapins from a second-round exit to a Colorado State team they trailed for much of the game. The long, athletic and supremely talented Gators will be a different kind of obstacle entirely.
(2) Michigan State vs. (6) Ole Miss
Prediction: Ole Miss 71, Michigan State 67
The Rebels are one of the few teams remaining in the field that can realistically match up with Tom Izzo’s Spartans from a toughness and physicality standpoint. Even if there’s a tight whistle, as was the case with Michigan State’s second-round win over New Mexico, Ole Miss has solid depth, with six players averaging double figures. For all his baggage, Chris Beard is one of the best coaches in the sport and like he did at Texas Tech, he’ll guide the Rebels to the Elite Eight in his second season on the job.
(1) Duke vs. (4) Arizona
Prediction: Duke 87, Arizona 79
The thought of facing old tormentor Caleb Love has to be terrifying for the Blue Devils, but this is a different caliber of Duke team, with Cooper Flagg and arguably the most talented, well-constructed roster in the country. The Blue Devils did what not even their fellow No. 1 seeds did in the first two rounds, rolling to a pair of victories that came by a combined 67 points. They almost certainly won’t blow the Wildcats out like that, but it’s difficult to envision them failing to make at least the Elite Eight.
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