The NCAA Tournament is never dull. However, the UConn Huskies have won it twice in the last two seasons.
It’s unlikely those Huskies will three-peat this season, especially since they’re an eight-seed and would have to get by the Florida Gators in the second round. Therefore, we’ll likely get a different team to win March Madness this season.
We know about Duke, Florida, Houston, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan State and Texas Tech. They’re all top-three seeds. But what about teams that are a four-seed or lower? Which of those teams has a chance to win it all?
I’ve got three March Madness sleepers you’ll want to consider. Check it out below.
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2025 March Madness Sleepers
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
No. 8 Seed (Midwest) - Gonzaga Bulldogs (+4300)
The Gonzaga Bulldogs typically overperform early and then get bounced in the later rounds. That said, the Bulldogs are rarely an eight-seed and are expected to have a more difficult time getting to the following weekend. After winning the West Coast Conference (WCC), the Bulldogs finished the season with a 25-8 record, but the only true notable wins came against Baylor and Saint Mary’s in the WCC Championship.
I’m still a believer.
The Bulldogs have shot a 55.7% effective field goal percentage. They’ve also hit over 80% from the foul line. In addition, Gonzaga has turned the ball over just 13.2% of the time and has earned nearly 33% of offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs have an elite offense that can hang with anyone.
Meanwhile, the defense has limited teams to a 47.5% effective field goal percentage. Opponents have drilled just 30.2% from deep and 49.1% from inside the arc. Gonzaga has also limited teams to 26.4% of offensive rebounds and a low free-throw attempt/field-goal attempt ratio.
Beyond that, Gonzaga is 10th in college basketball in Division I (DI) experience and has many notable names such as Graham Ike, Ryan Nembhard, Khalif Battle and Nolan Hickman. This is a talented group that can win the tournament. They’ll have to get by Georgia and then Houston. They’d also have to potentially face Clemson in the Sweet 16. But ultimately, Gonzaga can match up very well against any team in the nation right now.
No. 5 Seed (Midwest) - Clemson Tigers (+10000)
In 2024, the Clemson Tigers made it into the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. This 2025 team still has several players from that 2024 team.
Clemson is in a weak Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) that only had four teams enter the NCAA Tournament. However, it still ranks 24th in offensive efficiency and 16th in defensive efficiency. The Tigers knocked off Kentucky at home earlier this season and earned a six-point win over Duke at home. Clemson was the only team to knock off Duke in the ACC.
That’s got to count for something.
It’s a shame Clemson is in the Midwest bracket with Gonzaga. But if you select both to win the tournament and they both compete in Sweet 16, you’ll at least come out of the Sweet 16 with one team remaining.
No. 4 Seed (East) - Arizona Wildcats (+3700)
The Arizona Wildcats have been very streaky this season. From December 18th to February 8th, Arizona lost only one game, which was on the road against Texas Tech. However, since February 11th, Arizona has lost six games while winning only five.
Arizona proved it is capable of winning big games after adding back-to-back wins in the Big 12 Tournament over Kansas and Texas Tech. It also lost to Houston by just four points at home in the middle of February and battled the Cougars in the Big 12 Championship game, losing 72-64.
Arizona belongs. The Wildcats have shot 55.1% from inside the arc and 78.4% from the foul line. Beyond that, Arizona has added nearly 36% of offensive rebounds and is completely balanced on that end of the floor.
On defense, Arizona can’t force turnovers. However, the Wildcats have limited teams to 33.6% from deep and 47.2% from inside. They’ve also held opponents to 28.5% of offensive rebounds.
These stats prove Arizona can hang around against any team in the nation. Yes, even Duke.
