Expert picks for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

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It’s time for the Sweet 16 for the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament.

The tournament has been cut down from the original 68 teams to 16, with a chance at moving on to keep the season alive and win a national championship. Of the teams remaining, seven are from the SEC, which breaks a new men’s NCAA Tournament record.

REQUIRED READING: Power ranking all Sweet 16 men’s March Madness teams by odds to win NCAA Tournament

All of the No. 1 seeds are still alive as we enter the tournament’s second weekend. While this tournament has been short on major upsets, No. 10 Arkansas pulled off a significant win over No. 2 St. John’s to advance to the second weekend.

Cooper Flagg and Duke are the favorites to win through the first two rounds after cruising to easy victories. Meanwhile, Florida proved a worthy title contender by returning and upending the two-time defending champions UConn.

Here’s a look at expert predictions for the Sweet 16 and who will advance to the Elite Eight on Saturday and Sunday:

March Madness bracket predictions for Sweet 16

(1) Houston vs (4) Purdue

(3) Texas Tech vs (10) Arkansas

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Arkansas 78, Texas Tech 74Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Texas Tech 84, Arkansas 80Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Texas Tech 70, Arkansas 67AI: Texas Tech 78, Arkansas 70

(1) Auburn vs (5) Michigan

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Auburn 82, Michigan 70Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Auburn 88, Michigan 78Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Michigan 81, Auburn 77AI: Auburn 80, Michigan 72

(2) Tennessee vs (3) Kentucky)

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network: Kentucky 70, Tennessee 66Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Network: Tennessee 68, Kentucky 65Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Tennessee 75, Kentucky 73AI: Tennessee 76, Kentucky 73

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