March Madness 2025: 10 Bracket Busters Set for Cinderella Runs

Midwest Region - (10) Utah State Aggies

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South Region - (12) UC San Diego Tritons

National Championship Odds: +60000

It's easy to lose sight of some of the mid-major conference winners, but the UC San Diego Tritons deserve your attention. The Tritons play a solid two-way game that's conducive to success in the tournament. They have a favorable matchup in the opening round and, depending on how the rest of the region plays out, could have a relatively unobstructed path. Their championship odds are long, but consider the Tritons as upset contenders early in the tourney.

South Region - (14) Lipscomb Bisons: Lipscomb at Kentucky

National Championship Odds: +100000

No one is giving the Lipscomb Bisons a shot, but we believe in their ability to pull off at least one upset. The Bisons are one of the top shooting teams in March Madness, and the Iowa State Cyclones have been susceptible to that kind of attack. Don't be surprised if the Bisons are playing beyond the opening weekend.

East Region - (6) BYU Cougars

National Championship Odds: +11000

The BYU Cougars are in the daunting East Region but on the gentler half of that bracket. BYU is at its best when pushing the offensive envelope, and that will make a few teams uneasy. We've got the Cougars earmarked for a deep run, and they could be one of the top bracket busters by the end of the tournament.

West Region - (11) Drake Bulldogs

National Championship Odds: +70000

The Drake Bulldogs are another Cinderella team that could leave a trail of broken hearts in the NCAA Tournament. Drake thrives on defense but can still land a few knockout punches on offense. They will eventually meet their match in the later rounds, but a spot in the Sweet Sixteen is well within their reach.

Midwest Region - (5) Clemson Tigers

National Championship Odds: +11000

Keep an eye on the Clemson Tigers. There is no shortage of playmakers on this squad, and we've seen them rely on different contributors depending on matchups and circumstances. If someone runs cold, there are four other capable starters of picking up the slack. Those in-game adjustments could wreck their opponents' preparation.

Midwest Region - (8) Gonzaga Bulldogs

National Championship Odds: +3800

You can infer from their shorter championship odds that several sharp bettors believe in the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Zags went on a trip in the West Coast Tournament, and they are a nightmare matchup for some of the top teams in the Midwest. Busting a few brackets seems like an inevitability. Bettors can capitalize with a number of promising plus-money wagers on Gonzaga.

West Region - (4) Maryland Terrapins

National Championship Odds: +6500

Virtually every year, a Big Ten team comes out of nowhere to shock the college basketball world. While the Maryland Terrapins are a fourth seed, they still check the box as a tournament Cinderella. The Terrapins have an attainable path to the Sweet Sixteen, and a shocking upset wouldn't be out of the question for this top-ranked defense.

South Region - (11) North Carolina Tar Heels

National Championship Odds: +13000

We're calling it now: The North Carolina Tar Heels are this season's sweetheart. Every year, a team comes out of nowhere and captures the country's adoration. With several key contributors playing in their final tournament, we can see the Tar Heels' bandwagon filling up early. Now is the time to lock in any plus-money wagers to ensure maximum value.

Midwest Region - (10) Utah State Aggies

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