As we start the exciting month of March, the ACC already has a selection of teams that are in pole position to feature at the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Duke's formidable form will see them compete, but there are still places up for grabs despite Louisville and Clemson seeming to secure their positions.
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According to bookmakers Duke is the early second favorite behind Auburn, but odds are likely to change in the coming weeks as results come in and the final format is decided. Of course, confident Blue Devils fans can back their team, and online sports betting expert Alexander Reed provides some great operator choices with 99Bitcoins crypto sports betting sites.
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ACC Standings
Duke emerging as one of the favorites or the NCAA Tournament will not come as a surprise to those who have followed the ACC this season. A 16-1 record and a 5-game winning streak have Duke leading the way, having already confirmed their place. Clemson and Louisville both have 15-2 records and have all but sealed their place at the March Madness tournament.
A minimum of three other teams will be making their way to the tournament, with Wake Forest, SMU, and North Carolina the most likely.
2025 NCAA Tournament
The 2025 NCAA Tournament will feature 68 teams in single-elimination competition. Seven rounds will determine the overall national champion with all teams eager to make it to at least the 'Final Four' in the penultimate round of the tournament.
Selection Sunday will take place on March 16th this year. This is when the NCAA tournament bracket, seeds, and teams are announced by the Selection Committee. The tournament kicks off on the 18th, with the 'First Four' competing over two days.
The first and second rounds will take place on the 20th to the 21st and the 22nd to the 23rd respectively, before a short break leads the tournament to the last 16. The 'Sweet 16' round will take place on the 27th and 28th, followed by the 'Elite Eight' on March 29th and 30th.
Another break interrupts the action before the final four battle it out on April 5th at San Antonio's Alamodome with the championship game taking place at the same location two days later on the 7th.
Last season's winners UConn are seen as outsiders to retain their title, but the competition will be fiercely contested and teams will hope to go into the tournament with a full roster and no injury concerns.
Final Thoughts
While Duke is in with a great chance of making history, the Blue Devils will have to deal with some injury problems with Tyrese Proctor joining the injury list after damaging his knee in Duke's victory over Miami.
He joins Maliq Brown who suffered a dislocated shoulder, but both players are not expected to be out for an extended period and should be fit to join their team in the tournament.
