Iowa State faces challenges without key player Gilbert

The 2025 NCAA Tournament is here, and excitement is building as teams prepare for the opening round. Iowa State will play without its second-leading scorer, Keshon Gilbert, who is out for the season due to an injury. The Cyclones face No. 14 seed Lipscomb, a team known for its strong three-point shooting. No. 1 seed Florida is also in action, expected to easily defeat No. 16 seed Norfolk State. Florida has been a popular pick to win the tournament. For those making bracket predictions, SportsLine offers a computer model that has simulated the tournament 10,000 times. This model has a good track record, successfully predicting many outcomes in previous tournaments. One of the key matchups to watch is between No. 8 seed Mississippi State and No. 9 seed Baylor. Mississippi State has struggled lately, losing five of its last seven games. They rely on guard Josh Hubbard, who is scoring nearly 19 points per game. Baylor, on the other hand, features a talented freshman guard, VJ Edgecombe, who could be a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Another exciting matchup is BYU against VCU in the East Region. BYU holds an advantage due to their experience with altitude in Denver. VCU, a past Final Four team, returns in solid form after winning their conference title. Wisconsin, a No. 3 seed, faces No. 14 seed Montana. Wisconsin is looking to recover after a recent loss, while Montana aims for its first tournament win since 2006. With March Madness underway, many are curious which teams will be the surprise successes this year. For serious fans looking to enhance their brackets, the SportsLine model is a valuable tool that helps identify potential upsets and ensure a well-informed selection process.