Rick Pitino made history by coaching six different teams into the NCAA Tournament when St. John’s was announced as a participant in the 2025 March Madness bracket. He’s now the only coach to achieve this milestone, having previously led Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, and Iona to the tournament. His son, Richard Pitino, also qualified with New Mexico, marking their second joint appearance in the tournament after 2017.
St. John’s is facing a strong challenge as the No. 2 seed in the West Region, with top-tier teams like Florida (No. 1 seed) and Texas Tech (No. 3 seed) in their path. New Mexico is seeded No. 10 in the South Region and will compete against No. 7 seed Marquette in the first round. It’s shaping up to be an exciting March Madness!
Prediction models, like the one offered by SportsLine, have predicted patterns in tournament outcomes by simulating games thousands of times. They’ve consistently outperformed typical bracket predictions, claiming accuracy in predicting upsets and Sweet 16 teams. For example, they correctly forecasted UConn’s championship run last year and the Cinderella story of Alabama making the Final Four as a 4-seed.
Statistically, 24 first-round upsets have been identified by this model, focusing on double-digit seeds since it started in 2016. This level of insight could also be valuable when deciding how far each Pitino-led team might go this year.
In the East Region, keep an eye on the game between No. 8 seed Mississippi State and No. 9 seed Baylor. Mississippi State has made three consecutive tournament appearances and will look to shake off past struggles under coach Chris Jans, who has yet to see success in the tournament. Meanwhile, Baylor’s coach, Scott Drew, boasts a strong postseason resume with over 20 tournament wins.
Another key matchup is BYU versus VCU, a 6 vs. 11 showdown. BYU, seeking its first Final Four appearance, comes in with a 24-win season while VCU, with recent A-10 tournament success, hopes to continue their strong form into the tournament.
Lastly, No. 3 seed Wisconsin will have to prove itself against No. 14 seed Montana, which is hoping to capitalize on a recent hot streak of winning 14 out of its last 15 games. Wisconsin, last year’s No. 5 seed upset victim, will need to be focused not to repeat that mistake.
With such intense matchups ahead, predictions can be tricky. It’s wise to rely on proven models and historical data to guide your March Madness bracket picks this year. For insights on teams and potential upsets, you might find value in resources like the SportsLine prediction model.
Check out this related article: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025 March Madness TV Schedule: How to Watch the NCAA Tournament, Announcers, Tip-Off Times, TV Channels, and Bracket Details!
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