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Sports Interaction Staff
March Madness 2025 Men’s Tournament: Seeds, Schedule, Betting
The tournament begins with the First Four on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio, and culminates in the championship game scheduled for April 7.
Betting Odds & Favorites
Florida and Duke opened as the slight betting favourites at +350 odds. Auburn is close behind at 4-1 odds, while Houston rounds out the top contenders at 6-1.
Learn how to bet on March Madness.
Record-Setting SEC Representation
This year’s bracket features unprecedented representation from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), with 14 teams making the tournament—breaking the previous record of 11 teams held by the Big East since 2011. Auburn and Florida, two No. 1 seeds, highlight the conference’s depth and strength this season.
Key Dates for the Men’s Tournament:
- First Four: March 18-19 (Dayton, Ohio)
- First Round: March 20-21
- Second Round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5
- Championship Game: April 7
Potential Cinderella Teams
Historically, No. 11 seeds have disrupted brackets with memorable tournament runs. Past examples include LSU (1986), George Mason (2006), VCU (2011), Loyola Chicago (2018), and NC State (2024). This year, bettors and fans alike will be closely watching the lower seeds for potential upsets.
Tournament Insights
Florida and Duke are positioned as betting favourites not only due to strong regular-season performances but also because of their experienced coaching staffs and deep rosters. Auburn, despite securing a No. 1 seed, faces questions around their consistency against top-tier opponents. Houston, known for its disciplined defense, could surprise many bettors by making a deep run.
