As the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament reaches the Elite 8, the field has narrowed to some of the most talented and battle-tested teams in college basketball. With the Final Four on the horizon, the remaining teams—Duke, Alabama, Florida, Texas Tech, Auburn, Michigan, Houston, and the winner of the Tennessee vs. Kentucky matchup—are all vying for a shot at the national championship. After analyzing their tournament performances, key players, team dynamics, and potential weaknesses, I’ve ranked the Elite 8 teams from best to worst. Here’s my breakdown of the rankings and the reasoning behind each placement as of March 28, 2025.
1. Duke Blue Devils: The Gold Standard
Duke claims the top spot in my Elite 8 rankings, and for good reason. The No. 1 seed in the East region has been a juggernaut throughout the tournament, showcasing why they’re the favorites to cut down the nets in San Antonio. Their path to the Elite 8 has been dominant: a 93-49 thrashing of Mount St. Mary’s in the first round, an 89-66 rout of Baylor in the second round, and a 100-93 victory over Arizona in the Sweet 16. Duke’s offensive and defensive efficiency is among the best in the nation—KenPom ranks them fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency—and their depth has been a key factor in their success.
At the heart of Duke’s run is Wooden Award favorite Cooper Flagg, a freshman phenom who has lived up to the hype despite missing most of the ACC tournament with an ankle injury. Flagg’s return to form has been evident in the NCAA Tournament, and he’s been complemented by a talented supporting cast, including freshmen Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. Duke’s regular season was equally impressive, with a 19-1 run to close out the year and an ACC record for the largest scoring differential in league play, outscoring opponents by 434 points.
However, Duke isn’t without concerns. Flagg’s health remains a question mark, and key defensive contributor Maliq Brown might miss time with a shoulder injury. Despite these potential hurdles, Duke’s combination of star power, depth, and consistency makes them the team to beat in this tournament.
2. Florida Gators: A Balanced Contender
Coming in at No. 2 is the Florida Gators, the No. 1 seed in the South region. Florida has been a model of consistency, proving they can win in multiple ways. Their tournament run includes a statement 77-75 victory over back-to-back defending champion UConn in the second round—sealed by Walter Clayton Jr.’s clutch 3-pointer—and an 87-71 dismantling of Maryland in the Sweet 16. The Gators’ ability to take down a powerhouse like UConn shows they can handle pressure, and their balanced attack makes them a nightmare matchup for any opponent.
Florida’s offense is versatile, capable of winning in a grind-it-out game or a high-scoring shootout, and their defense has been stout enough to contain talented teams. In The Athletic’s staff predictions, Florida received 16 votes to reach the Final Four, second only to Duke, a testament to their perceived strength. While they face a tough Texas Tech team in the Elite 8, Florida’s poise and well-rounded playstyle make them a strong contender for the national title, earning them the No. 2 spot.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide: Offensive Firepower with a Flaw
Alabama, the No. 2 seed in the East region, lands at No. 3 thanks to their explosive offense, which has been the story of their tournament run. The Crimson Tide set an NCAA Tournament record in the Sweet 16, sinking 25 three-pointers in a 113-88 blowout of BYU. They lead the nation in scoring at 90.8 points per game, and their fast-paced style has overwhelmed opponents. Mark Sears has been the engine of this offense, delivering 22 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in their opener against Robert Morris.
However, Alabama’s Achilles’ heel is their defense, particularly their turnover margin. They’re at a minus-87 for the year, struggling to generate takeaways, which could be a fatal flaw against a team like Duke in the Elite 8. While their offensive firepower is undeniable, their defensive shortcomings drop them to No. 3. If Alabama can clean up their turnovers, they have the potential to make a deep run, but they’ll need to be near-perfect to overcome the top teams.
4. Houston Cougars: Defensive Stalwarts with a New Edge
Houston, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, takes the No. 4 spot. Under coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have been a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 in four straight years and making the Final Four in 2021. This year’s team is no different, with an elite defense that has been their calling card. However, what sets this Houston squad apart is their improved three-point shooting, which has added a new dimension to their game.
Houston’s tournament run includes a dramatic late block to secure a win over Gonzaga in the second round, and they face Purdue in the Sweet 16 tonight. While their defensive prowess is well-documented, their offensive improvement has made them a more complete team. That said, Houston’s history of falling short of the championship game—despite consistent deep runs—raises some doubts. In The Athletic’s predictions, they received only 17 votes to advance past the Sweet 16, with some analysts favoring Purdue or Clemson to upset them. Houston’s experience and defensive intensity make them a tough out, but their historical ceiling keeps them at No. 4.
5. Auburn Tigers: High Potential, Unproven Consistency
Auburn, the No. 1 seed in the West region, ranks fifth on my list. The Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance, including a regular-season win over Duke, which proves they can compete with the best. They face Michigan in the Sweet 16 tonight, and their ceiling is high—some analysts, including one in The Athletic’s predictions, believe they could win the national title. Auburn’s balanced attack and talent across the roster make them a dangerous team in March.
However, Auburn’s inconsistency against top-tier teams outside of their Duke win is a concern. They haven’t faced the same level of drama or close games as some other teams in the tournament, which could mean they’re less battle-tested heading into the Elite 8. While their potential is undeniable, I’m ranking them at No. 5 until they prove they can handle the pressure of a gritty Elite 8 matchup. A strong performance against Michigan could propel them higher, but for now, they sit in the middle of the pack.
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Resilient and Dangerous
Texas Tech, the No. 3 seed in the South region, comes in at No. 6. The Red Raiders have been one of the surprises of the tournament, reaching the Elite 8 with a thrilling 85-83 overtime win over Arkansas in the Sweet 16. They’re the Ascending the only Big 12 team to defeat Houston on the road this season (82-81 in OT), Texas Tech has shown they can compete with anyone. JT Toppin has been a revelation, averaging 18.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, while the team’s offensive efficiency—ranked 10th in adjusted offensive efficiency from January 1 through the regular season—has been a key factor in their success. They also shoot 37% from three-point range, a weapon that can swing games in March.
Texas Tech’s resilience in close games, like their overtime win over Arkansas, shows they have the grit to compete with the best. However, their lack of experience in deep tournament runs compared to teams like Houston or Duke, combined with a tough Elite 8 matchup against Florida, keeps them at No. 6. The Red Raiders have the tools to pull off an upset, but they’ll need to play a near-perfect game to advance further.
7. Michigan Wolverines: Battle-Tested but Thin
Michigan, the No. 5 seed in the West region, ranks seventh on my list. The Wolverines have made it to the Sweet 16 and face Auburn tonight, but their path has been relatively straightforward compared to some of the other teams. Michigan has played a lot of close games this season, which could be a strength in a tense Elite 8 matchup. However, their lack of depth is a significant concern—Bleacher Report notes that their bench contributed just two points against Colorado State, meaning they rely heavily on their starting five.
While Michigan’s experience in tight games gives them an edge over some teams, their ceiling feels lower than the top teams due to their depth issues and less dominant performances in the tournament so far. They’ll need to find a way to get more production from their bench if they hope to make a deeper run, which is why they’re ranked at No. 7.
8. Tennessee Volunteers or Kentucky Wildcats: A Toss-Up for the Final Spot
The final spot in my Elite 8 rankings goes to the winner of tonight’s Tennessee vs. Kentucky Sweet 16 matchup in the Midwest region. Both teams are talented, but they rank last because they haven’t yet secured their Elite 8 spot, and their matchup is too close to call. Tennessee, the No. 2 seed, has been a popular Final Four pick, with one vote to win the national title in The Athletic’s predictions. However, the Volunteers have faced criticism for inconsistent play against top teams, which has held them back at times.
Kentucky, the No. 3 seed, has been battle-tested, with an 84-75 win over Illinois in the second round, and their SEC pedigree—the conference has seven teams in the Sweet 16—gives them credibility. That said, Kentucky’s loss to Troy earlier in the tournament, as noted by some analysts, highlights their vulnerability. Whoever wins this game will face a tough Elite 8 matchup against the winner of Michigan State vs. Ole Miss, but for now, their unconfirmed status and relative weaknesses compared to the other teams place them at No. 8.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Elite 8 is a mix of blue-blood programs, battle-tested veterans, and dangerous underdogs, making for an exciting finish to the NCAA Tournament. Duke’s dominance and depth give them the edge at No. 1, while Florida’s balance and clutch play make them a close second. Alabama’s offensive firepower is tempered by defensive concerns, and Houston’s defensive intensity is offset by their historical ceiling. Auburn and Texas Tech have the potential to make noise, but they’ll need to prove themselves against tougher opponents. Michigan’s lack of depth and the uncertainty of the Tennessee-Kentucky matchup round out the rankings.
As the Elite 8 games tip off, all eyes will be on these teams to see who can take the next step toward immortality. Who do you think will make the Final Four? Let the madness continue!
