Lake Charles, Louisiana – Head coach Will Wade has managed to lead McNeese State to the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket after the school secured its second consecutive Southland Conference championship. Last year, McNeese State was considered a potential 12 vs. 5 upset pick in the NCAA Tournament bracket before suffering a 21-point loss to Gonzaga. However, this year, McNeese State finds itself in another 5 vs. 12 matchup against Clemson. As Wade, the former LSU head coach, strives to guide McNeese State to its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, many are wondering if this game could potentially result in a March Madness upset.
Other notable 5 vs. 12 matchups in the 2025 March Madness bracket include Memphis vs. Colorado State, Michigan vs. UC San Diego, and Oregon vs. Liberty. It is worth noting that multiple No. 12 seeds have emerged victorious in two of the last three NCAA Tournaments. Therefore, the question arises – which of these No. 12 seeds stands the best chance at securing a win this year in the NCAA Tournament bracket? Before making any predictions for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, it is advisable to take a look at the March Madness bracket picks generated by the advanced computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine computer simulation has a track record of accurately predicting significant upsets, as demonstrated by its successful predictions in previous tournaments. By simulating every game 10,000 times, the model has correctly predicted 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016, including foreseeing UConn’s championship victory last year. Moreover, the model has garnered attention for predicting surprising runs, such as Alabama’s Cinderella journey to the Final Four as a 4-seed.
The latest simulation by SportsLine’s advanced computer model for the 2025 March Madness bracket offers insights into potential upsets and surprises in this year’s NCAA Tournament. One South Region upset identified by the model involves the First Four winner North Carolina defeating No. 6 Ole Miss in the first round. Meanwhile, in another South Region surprise, the model predicts No. 13 Yale prevailing over No. 4 Texas A&M in the opening round.
Yale, known for its proficient 3-point shooting, presents a challenge to Texas A&M, which ranks 154th in the nation in 3-point defense. Led by senior guard John Poulakidas, Yale’s sharpshooters have the potential to cause a major upset if they can capitalize on their efficiency from beyond the arc. With four players shooting above 37% from 3-point range, Yale aims to replicate its success from last year’s NCAA Tournament and advance to the next round.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, basketball enthusiasts are eager to witness which teams will emerge as Cinderella stories, fueled by unexpected victories and remarkable performances on the court. With the model at SportsLine offering valuable insights and predictions, fans can gain a better understanding of the potential upsets and underdog triumphs that may unfold during the 2025 March Madness event.