NCAAB · 7 months ago

March Madness 2025: Top 10 Cinderella Final Four Bracket Busters

Grant White

Host · Writer

East Region - (4) Arizona Wildcats
Odds to Make the Final Four: +800

The Arizona Wildcats have the seemingly impossible task of getting past the Duke Blue Devils in the East Region. Many are picking the Blue Devils to advance, but we're not so quick to dismiss Arizona's chances. The Wildcats prioritize offensive basketball, and their guards can shoot from anywhere. If Duke is shorthanded or operating at less than 100%, Arizona is one of the leading contenders to turn Duke's coach into a pumpkin.

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West Region - (2) St. John's Red Storm
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Odds to Make the Final Four: +550

The St. John's Red Storm emerged as a top contender but were relegated to a second seed in the West Region. Still, this is a team that's being overlooked in brackets, as the Red Storm will inevitably have to get past the top-seeded Florida Gators for a spot in the Final Four. While the betting odds aren't in their favor, St. John's defense has proven to be the best in the country. As they say, that's what wins championships.
West Region - (12) Colorado State Rams
Odds to Make the Final Four: +6000

A true longshot, the Colorado State Rams can continue their late-season ascent with a Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament. The Rams have made short work of any team they cross paths with lately. They're riding a ten-game winning streak into March Madness, covering the spread in every one of those contests. They may be a distant 12th seed, but the Rams are more than capable of parlaying their success into a much deeper run.
Midwest Region - (5) Clemson Tigers
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Odds to Make the Final Four: +1400

Depth scoring means so much in the tournament, and that's an advantage the Clemson Tigers can wield against any opponent. Clemson is the fifth seed in the Midwest Region and has an attainable path to the Final Four. Granted, they'll have to pull off a few upsets along the way, but the teams ahead of them are in the same weight class as the Tigers.
Midwest Region - (2) Tennessee Volunteers
Odds to Make the Final Four: +360

A few bad mistakes in the SEC Championship Game prevented the Tennessee Volunteers from claiming the tournament title. However, they can make amends for that in the big dance. Tennessee enters the field as the second seed in a wide-open Midwest Region. Their defense is almost unmatchable, and if they're operating at peak efficiency, the Vols can easily bust a few brackets.
Midwest Regions - (8) Gonzaga Bulldogs
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Odds to Make the Final Four: +850

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are four years removed from their run to the National Championship Game. Still, they've made the Sweet Sixteen in each of the last three editions. The Bulldogs are peaking at the right time, going on a run in the West Coast Tournament and winning nine of their past ten. Many will overlook them in the Midwest, but sharp bettors will have a piece of the Zags to make the Final Four.
South Region - (11) North Carolina Tar Heels
Odds to Make the Final Four: +1900

RJ Davis, one of the most celebrated players in North Carolina Tar Heels history, doesn't want to end his college basketball career on a low. After making the National Championship Game back in 2022, UNC has fallen out of favor over the past couple of seasons. They have the pieces and it's all coming together at the right time. This is one team that will bust more than a few brackets.
South Region - (2) Michigan State Spartans
Odds to Make the Final Four: +500

Of course, a few potential Cinderellas are emerging from the South Region. You can count the Michigan State Spartans as one of those teams. Michigan State is one of the top defensive teams in the country but can still hang with most teams on offense. The Spartans' path could cross with North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. Undoubtedly, that could wreak havoc on the bracketology. Having a piece of both pies could be a wise investment for long-term bettors.
South Region - (5) Michigan Wolverines
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Odds to Make the Final Four: +2200

Finally, in the South, we can't dismiss the Michigan Wolverines' chances of going on an unexpected run. Fresh off their Big Ten Tournament title, the Wolverines were still relegated to the fifth seed in the region. That puts them in an uncomfortable 12 vs. 5 matchup but with much better prospects in future rounds. If Michigan can survive the opening round, there may be no stopping them from a deeper-than-expected run.
East Region - (6) BYU Cougars
Odds to Make the Final Four: +1900

Consider this your warning if you haven't been paying attention to what the BYU Cougars have been doing recently. The Cougars have been on a surreptitious run, dispatching almost every team that stands in their way. Defensively, they aren't immune to letdowns. But offensively, few teams can keep pace with BYU when it gets going. If you're looking for a true dark horse in this year's tournament, the BYU Cougars are it.
East Region - (4) Arizona Wildcats
Odds to Make the Final Four: +800

The Arizona Wildcats have the seemingly impossible task of getting past the Duke Blue Devils in the East Region. Many are picking the Blue Devils to advance, but we're not so quick to dismiss Arizona's chances. The Wildcats prioritize offensive basketball, and their guards can shoot from anywhere. If Duke is shorthanded or operating at less than 100%, Arizona is one of the leading contenders to turn Duke's coach into a pumpkin.

Shoot your shot! Cash in with our four- and five-star College Basketball Picks and buzzer-beating Player Props.
West Region - (2) St. John's Red Storm
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Odds to Make the Final Four: +550

The St. John's Red Storm emerged as a top contender but were relegated to a second seed in the West Region. Still, this is a team that's being overlooked in brackets, as the Red Storm will inevitably have to get past the top-seeded Florida Gators for a spot in the Final Four. While the betting odds aren't in their favor, St. John's defense has proven to be the best in the country. As they say, that's what wins championships.

March Madness 2025: Top 10 Cinderella Final Four Bracket Busters

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