The East Area is The Area of Stars. Why? As a result of the nation’s prime participant and future No. 1 NBA Draft decide, Cooper Flagg, headlines Duke, whereas Mark Sears is on the forefront for Alabama, John Tonje leads a Wisconsin staff that reached the Large Ten Championship Sport, and Caleb Love has nationwide title recreation expertise with an Arizona staff that may very well be harmful if every part comes collectively.
Is that this the yr Jon Scheyer reaches his first Last 4 with a generational prospect in Flagg? We’ll see how the freshman’s ankle damage shakes out, but when he is wholesome, there actually aren’t any holes on a Duke staff that options an alpha in Tyrese Proctor, a stud shotmaker in Kon Knueppel, rim safety with Khaman Maluach, and a protection that extends out on you and may trigger issues left and proper. The actual fact the Blue Devils solely flip it over roughly 9 occasions per recreation is why I additionally love this staff. They play mistake-free basketball.
Can the Crimson Tide attain back-to-back Last Fours? May BYU be the darkish horse?
These storylines and extra are featured within the East Area breakdown!
[MORE: 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket here]
Of the highest 4 seeds, who has essentially the most favorable draw?
I am making an attempt to think about a world the place Duke isn’t a minimum of within the Elite Eight. With the favorable draw the Blue Devils obtained, Scheyer’s staff ought to coast to the Candy 16. A second-round recreation with both Mississippi State or Baylor, two groups which have had an inconsistent season with the Bulldogs struggling to attain at occasions and the Bears being weak defensively, makes me assured within the Blue Devils’ probability to cruise to the second weekend.
Whereas I do consider Oregon may trigger some issues with Dana Altman, who’s confirmed as a event coach, or Arizona may create some noise with Love, the Blue Devils have already crushed the Wildcats and I do not know if I belief the Ducks‘ guards sufficient.
Duke has essentially the most favorable draw of the highest seeds.
What’s the most intriguing first-round matchup on this area?
I feel the 6 vs. 11 showdown between BYU and VCU has an opportunity to be phenomenal. It is a Cougars staff that’s stacked on the offensive finish of the ground, rating eleventh within the nation in KenPom adjusted offensive effectivity, whereas the A-10 champion Rams have a stud in Max Shulga and a top-25 protection. However VCU should now discover a solution for certainly one of America’s hottest groups, with first-year head coach Kevin Younger main his Cougars on a streak of 9 wins of their final 10 video games and Richie Saunders, together with freshman stud guard Egor Demin, main the way in which. If the Rams let Saunders and fifth-year senior Trevin Knell get cooking from 3, look out.
On the defensive aspect of the ball for BYU, the Cougars must attempt to cease Shulga and his fellow seniors, Joe Bamisile and Jack Clark. That trio mixed for 52 factors in Sunday’s A-10 Championship Sport victory over George Mason.
This isn’t a traditional 6 vs. 11 matchup, with VCU ranked thirtieth in KenPom. The Rams play a clear recreation with a +5 rebounding margin and +3 turnover margin. Neither staff actually forces plenty of turnovers, but when the Rams are going to tug the upset, they should win the battle from past the arc with each groups averaging roughly 10 made triples per recreation.
Who’re the must-see gamers on this area?
There’s a lot particular person expertise on this area, however the three largest names are Flagg, Sears and Love. Sure, Tonje is somebody who may take this area over and cost the Badgers on an enormous run, however when you will have the No. 1 decide in June’s NBA Draft, an All-American guard in Sears who powered the Crimson Tide to the Last 4 final yr, and some of the explosive guards within the nation in Love, who has made a Last 4 when in Chapel Hill, it is troublesome to beat that trio.
Flagg is predicted to play within the Large Dance regardless of his ankle damage, and when he does reappear, it will likely be the single-biggest storyline within the event after he averaged 19/8/4 within the common season. What’s going to the phenom have in retailer on school basketball’s largest stage? Watching him on each ends along with his excellent protection and skill to assault the rim is a deal with. As for Sears, can he lead the Tide again to the promised land? He is had some ups and downs this yr, however when he is at his greatest, no one is best. And Love may shoot the Cats in or out of a recreation. I’m fascinated to see what model of him we see.
[MORE: 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket here]
What’s the most definitely first-round upset on this area?
The upset decide that I’ve is the Akron Zips over Arizona. John Groce has led a staff that has 4 scorers averaging a minimum of 9 factors per recreation, and with a top-70 offense and top-20 tempo within the nation, I do not assume they will be fazed one bit by the Wildcats of Arizona.
I like Liberty so much as a staff, however the Flames acquired a tricky draw with Oregon. VCU, coming off an A-10 title victory and now going out west to satisfy BYU, additionally has a tough draw. So, I am going to experience with Akron to tug off an upset behind Nate and Tavari Johnson.
Who will win this area?
Duke.
John Fanta is a nationwide school basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in quite a lot of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Area of 68 Media Community. Observe him at @John_Fanta.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
Faculty Basketball
Get extra from Faculty Basketball Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
