3 Most Likely March Madness Cinderella Stories for 2025 NCAA Tournament
March Madness consistently produces unexpected heroes, and this year's tournament has several promising Cinderella candidates. Here are three teams poised for potential deep runs:
UC San Diego (+360 to Reach Sweet Sixteen)
The Tritons enter on a 15-game winning streak - the nation's longest - and face Michigan in Round 2. Key advantages:
- Five experienced upperclassmen starters
- Top-10 in both offensive and defensive turnover percentage
- Strong three-point shooting (37%)
- Favorable matchup against turnover-prone Michigan
- Potential Round of 32 game against beatable Yale/Texas A&M
Basketball player celebrates victory triumphantly
VCU (+350 to Reach Sweet Sixteen)
The Rams won 12 of their last 13 games en route to the Atlantic 10 title. Strengths include:
- Nation's best opponent effective field goal percentage
- Top-41 in both offensive and defensive efficiency
- Strong matchup against BYU's turnover-prone guards
- Favorable potential Round of 32 game vs Wisconsin
Happy man in yellow shirt
Gonzaga (+470 to Reach Elite Eight)
Despite being just an 8-seed, the Bulldogs are surging at the right time:
- Won 9 of last 10 games
- Rank 9th in KenPom's Net Rating
- Nation's second-best offense (87 points per game)
- Potential favorable Sweet Sixteen matchup against Purdue/Clemson
- Houston could be without leading rebounder J'Wan Roberts
Basketball players jumping for layup
These teams combine strong statistical profiles with favorable bracket paths, making them prime candidates for March Madness upsets.