2025 NCAA tournament class midwest region: March Madness Preview, picks, schedule

March Madness is here and it's time to fill out her brackets. We have a preview of every region of the NCAA men's basketball tournament and give you the matchups that you can watch, players, possible Cinderella stories and of course predict, from which teams will reach the final four.

Title favorites of the Middle region region

No. 1 Houston: +600

No. 2 Tennessee: +2200

No. 8 Gonzaga: +5000

No. 3 Kentucky: +6000

No. 5 Clemson: +8000

(Quotas with the kind permission of Draftking's sports book)

Houston is a worthy seed No. 1 after navigating the Big 12 with just one loss. Kelvin Sampson's group is probably the best defensive team in the country, while Lj Cryer, Milos Uzan and Emmanuel Sharp worry about the fatal back court at the offensive end. The cougs have an advantage for you and will be difficult in the NCAA tournament.

But man, Houston got a brutal draw for a No. 1 seed. It may be rough in the second round, possibly No. 8 Gonzaga-a Top 10 team in Kenpom despite its scheduled seed games. When Tennessee looked at other competitors, he reached the SEC tournament game. Although Kentucky is injured, he is full of talent. And Clemson is well developed. This is a super interesting region.

Best game in the first round

No. 8 Gonzaga against No. 9 Georgia: Mark Feers team could beat Houston with a lot and do another last four run. But the bulldogs were also able to lose against the other bulldogs, which Florida and Kentucky struck and neutered in the second game. This is a matchup between two of the best large men in the country: Gonzagas Graham Ike and Georgia's Asa Newell. Enjoy.

To see players

LJ Cryer, Houston: Uzan has grown into trust and Sharps 3 pointers are daggers. But Cryer is the heartbeat of Houston's team. The former Baylor Guard, who shoots 42% of beyond the arch and can end on the edge, was as a coupling like the whole season.

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga: I don't know if it is because he is in his fourth year, or it is because his brother also played Gonzaga, but it feels as if Nembhard has been there for a decade. He also plays like one of the best orchestras in the country.

Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee: Chaz Lanier is a leading goal scorer, but Zeigler embodies the defense identity of the Vols. The two-time second defensive player of the year is a pest. He is also one of the best distributors of the tournament.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois: The Illini are an impossible team that nailed down. But if the No. 6 Seed Illini plays like a top animal team that has shown the ability, it is because the 6-foot 5-Jakucionis is at his game. The European professional could be an NBA lottery.

Special angry

No. 13 High Point against No. 4 Purdue: The boiler makers can with any points. But without Zach Edey, they have proven to be vulnerable in defense. Insert High Point, a team that takes second place among all NCAA teams in RAW's offensive efficiency (121.3 points per 100 possessions). This game could reach the high 80s on both sides. Anyone who wins is everyone's assumption.

Who reaches the final Four?

Even if Gonzaga is in the second round, I have Faith Cryer, Sharp and Co. will lead the cougs to an elite -eight -Matchup against Tennessee. I have cut Houston to the last four – and ultimately the nets in San Antonio.

Midwest region schedule

No. 1 Houston against No. 16 Siu Edwardsville (Thursday, 2 p.m. ET, TBS)

No. 8 Gonzaga against No. 9 Georgia (Thursday, 4:35 p.m. ET, TBS)

No. 5 Clemson against No. 12 Mcneese (Thursday, 3:15 p.m. ET, Trutv)

No. 4 Purdue against No. 13 High Point (Thursday, 12:40 p.m. ET, Trutv)

No. 6 Illinois against No. 11 Texas/Xavier (Friday, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS)

No. 3 Kentucky against No. 14 Troy (Friday, 7.10 p.m. ET, CBS)

No. 7 UCLA against No. 10 Utah State (Thursday, 9:25 p.m. ET, TNT)

No. 2 Tennessee against No. 15 Wfford (Thursday, 6.50 p.m. ET, TNT)