Men's March Madness bracket: Predictions, picks for Sweet 16 round of NCAA Tournament

[ASFN Admin]

It's time for the Sweet 16 for the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament.

The tournament has been cut down from the original 68 teams to 16, with a chance at moving on to keep the season alive and win a national championship. Of the teams remaining, seven are from the SEC, which breaks a new men's NCAA Tournament record.

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All of the No. 1 seeds are still alive as we enter the tournament's second weekend. While this tournament has been short on major upsets, No. 10 Arkansas pulled off a significant win over No. 2 St. John's to advance to the second weekend.

Cooper Flagg and Duke are the favorites to win through the first two rounds after cruising to easy victories. Meanwhile, Florida proved a worthy title contender by returning and upending the two-time defending champions UConn.

Here's a look at expert predictions for the Sweet 16 and who will advance to the Elite Eight on Saturday and Sunday:

March Madness bracket predictions for Sweet 16​

(1) Houston vs (4) Purdue​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Houston 69, Purdue 62
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Houston 65, Purdue 60
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Houston 68, Purdue 63
• AI: Houston 75, Purdue 64

(3) Texas Tech vs (10) Arkansas​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Arkansas 78, Texas Tech 74
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Texas Tech 84, Arkansas 80
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Texas Tech 70, Arkansas 67
• AI: Texas Tech 78, Arkansas 70

(1) Auburn vs (5) Michigan​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Auburn 82, Michigan 70
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Auburn 88, Michigan 78
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic:Michigan 81, Auburn 77
• AI: Auburn 80, Michigan 72

(2) Tennessee vs (3) Kentucky)​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Kentucky 70, Tennessee 66
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Tennessee 68, Kentucky 65
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Tennessee 75, Kentucky 73
• AI: Tennessee 76, Kentucky 73

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(2) Alabama vs (6) BYU​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: BYU 85, Alabama 84
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Alabama 90, BYU 84
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic Network: Alabama 86, BYU 83
• AI: Alabama 84, BYU 78

(1) Florida vs (4) Maryland​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Florida 87, Maryland 75
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Florida 92, Maryland 80
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Florida 78, Maryland 70
• AI: Florida 77, Maryland 74

(2) Michigan State vs (6) Ole Miss​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Ole Miss 71, Michigan State 67
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Ole Miss 74, Michigan State 70
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic:Ole Miss 74, Michigan State 69
• AI: Michigan State 76, Ole Miss 72

(1) Duke vs (4) Arizona​

• Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Duke 87, Arizona 79
• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Duke 88, Arizona 77
• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Duke 79, Arizona 73
• AI: Duke 70, Arizona 70

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracket: Expert picks for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

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