March Madness 2025: AI predicts men's Final Four, national championship winners
Paste BN Sports used a Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot to predict the winners of Saturday's Final Four games in San Antonio and the national championship game as part of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
A scarcity of upsets and buzzer beaters during this year's March Madness yielded concerns about the future of Cinderella in the men's NCAA Tournament during the name, image and likeness era. But it also produced a bracket featuring an all-chalk Final Four involving the four best teams in the country this season.
With No. 1 seeds Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston still in the mix to win college basketball's 2025 national championship, Saturday's two games in San Antonio are as highly anticipated as any in recent memory. This is the first time since 2008, and just the second time ever, all four No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Final Four and picking winners could be tricky.
The traditional Final Four doubleheader begins Saturday with the all-SEC matchup of Florida vs. Auburn. The Gators won their lone meeting in the regular season. Duke vs. Houston will be the nightcap as they face one another in the NCAA Tournament for the second-consecutive year. Both games are projected to be close.
Given that, Paste BN Sports used the Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot to predict the results of this year's Final Four and a national championship game winner. Even it admitted the choice wasn't easy. Here's a complete look at Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot simulation for the men's Final Four and national championship game:
March Madness AI Final Four predictions: Who will win national championship?
Winners, scores, play-by-play predicted through an AI simulation produced by the Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot
Final Four: Florida vs. Auburn
The AI simulation predicts Florida to jump out to an early lead thanks to its fast-paced offense and perimeter shooting led by star Walter Clayton, Jr. It then projects Auburn to respond behind big man Johni Broome inside, setting the stage for "a thrilling finish."
- AI prediction: Florida 82, Auburn 79
Final Four: Duke vs. Houston
The AI simulation predicts Duke will jump out to the lead by forcing turnovers and relying on the talent of star freshman Cooper Flagg to lead its efficient offense. But the projection anticipates Houston will stay in the game until the very end behind its tenacious defense and rebounding and some clutch shot-making by veteran guard L.J. Cryer.
- AI prediction: Duke 70, Houston 68
National Championship: Duke vs. Florida
AI projects a Duke-vs.-Florida national championship game will go down to the wire and create a duel between all-Americans Clayton and Flagg. It ultimately predicts the Blue Devils will emerge with their sixth national title, and first since coach Jon Scheyer took over for Mike Krzyzewski.
- AI prediction: Duke 72, Florida 70
Watch the Final Four with Fubo
Men's March Madness Final Four schedule
Here's a look at the Final Four and national championship schedule for the men's NCAA Tournament:
All times Eastern
Final Four
Saturday, April 5
- Game 1: (1) Auburn vs. (1) Florida | 6:09 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
- Game 2: (1) Duke vs. (1) Houston | 8:49 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
National championship game
Monday, April 7
- Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 8:50 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)