March Madness second round predictions: NCAA bracket picks for every men’s game

[ASFN Admin]

With the first round of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament having now passed, the attention now shifts to what is set to be a loaded March Madness round of 32 in all four regions.

Before we look ahead to this weekend however, it's also important to recap what we saw from the first round the last two days, as well as if the "madness" of March was truly brought.

Well, to answer that question, there were only a few big upsets that occurred during the first round, some of which included No. 12 seeds Colorado State and McNeese defeating Memphis and Clemson, respectively. Many of the top seeds also cruised to blowout victories, while some, such as Alabama, were in closer games than most expected.

Looking ahead to the second round as well, will we see March Madness upsets' take place once again over the next two days?

Here are our predictions for which teams come out of the second round this weekend victorious, and as a result, will move on to the Sweet 16 next week.

Men's March Madness second round predictions - South Region​

• No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 9 Creighton - Prediction: Auburn
• No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 5 Michigan - Prediction: Texas A&M
• No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Ole Miss - Prediction: Iowa State
• No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 10 New Mexico - Prediction: Michigan State

The East Region's top matchup in the second round might just come between No. 1 Auburn and No. 9 Creighton, as the Bluejays could potentially give the Tigers some troubles at times. In addition to that, keep an eye on the SEC vs. Big Ten showdown between No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 Michigan that could produce a close contest.

Men's March Madness second round predictions - West Region​

• No. 1 Florida vs. No. 8 UConn - Prediction: Florida
• No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 12 Colorado State - Prediction: Maryland
• No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Drake - Prediction: Texas Tech
• No. 2 St. John's vs. No. 10 Arkansas - Prediction: St. John's

The West Region's top game is undoubtedly the showdown between No. 1 seeded Florida and No. 8 seed, as well as two-time defending national champion, UConn. A potential upset to keep an eye is the No. 2 vs. No. 10 showdown between St. John's and Arkansas as well, which features a coaching matchup of Rick Pitino and John Calipari.

Men's March Madness second round predictions - East Region​

• No. 1 Duke vs. No. 9 Baylor - Prediction: Duke
• No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Oregon - Prediction: Arizona
• No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 6 BYU - Prediction: Wisconsin
• No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 7 Saint Mary's - Prediction: Alabama

Alabama's region, the East have two intriguing matchups set to take place that could produce close games in No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Oregon, as well as No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 6 BYU. Alabama is faced off with Saint Mary's, while Duke, the top seed, is matched up against Baylor.

Men's March Madness second round predictions - Midwest Region​

• No. 1 Houston vs. No. 8 Gonzaga - Prediction: Houston
• No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 12 McNeese - Prediction: Purdue
• No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 6 Illinois - Prediction: Kentucky
• No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 UCLA - Prediction: Tennessee

Lastly, the Midwest Region second round is headlined by what is shaping up to be an anticipated clash in the No. 1 vs. No. 8 showdown between Houston and Gonzaga, both of which are coming off round of 64 blowout victories. McNeese will also look to keep dancing after upsetting Clemson in the first round, while No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 6 Illinois could produce a close game.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: March Madness predictions: Second round picks for men’s NCAA bracket

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