North Carolina advances after dominating San Diego State

North Carolina has made a strong statement in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The team, which was the last to enter the bracket, dominated San Diego State with a 95-68 victory in their First Four matchup. They will now face No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the Round of 64. NC’s star guard, RJ Davis, played exceptionally well, scoring 26 points and hitting all six of his three-point attempts. The Tar Heels were expected to be competitive this season after recruiting two five-star freshmen. Now, they are seen as a potential threat in the tournament. SportsLine’s college basketball model has simulated the NCAA Tournament 10,000 times to predict outcomes. This model has been successful in identifying upsets, including 24 first-round surprises by lower-seeded teams since 2016. It has consistently outperformed many bracket predictions in past tournaments. Among the notable matchups to watch this tournament is No. 8 Mississippi State against No. 9 Baylor. Both teams are looking to recover from recent performance issues, with Baylor boasting a strong frontcourt and Mississippi State struggling after losing five of their last seven games. Another key matchup is between No. 6 BYU and No. 11 VCU. BYU is known for its three-point shooting, while VCU excels at defending against those shots. This clash of playing styles could make for an exciting game. In a third intriguing matchup, No. 3 Wisconsin will play against No. 14 Montana. Montana is entering the tournament with confidence after a strong finish, despite their historical challenges in the event. Wisconsin will rely on senior guard John Tonje to lead them. As the tournament progresses, many fans are looking for Cinderella stories and potential upsets. With a proven model available, there are strategic insights to help predict which teams may surprise this March Madness.