2025 NCAA Tournament Predictions: West Region Selections & Initial Analysis of Each Match

Over the coming days, the deep dive predictions and game previews will be released. Making the don’t-think-just-pick predictions for every NCAA Tournament game is a yearly tradition, much like we do for bowl games when they are initially announced.

Of the four regions, the West may be the weakest. Although St. John’s continues to win, are you truly buying all in? Florida is a killer.

Memphis is a soft five, Texas Tech is a mediocre three, and Maryland is an outstanding four. UConn is hiding at the eight in the meanwhile.

Here is a preview and call for every game in the West Region.

7 Kansas vs 10 Arkansas

March 20, 7:10, CBS
Will Kansas finally show up and play up to its preseason No. 1 talent level? I’ve been dogging the SEC throughout these early predictions – at least the lower-seeded teams – but not here. The Hogs hold their own on the glass.

First Thought Prediction
Arkansas 76, Kansas 74
Kansas vs Arkansas Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: Kansas -5.5, o/u: 144.5
Fan Duel: NA, o/u: NA

6 Missouri vs 11 Drake

March 20, 7:35, truTV
Which Missouri do we get? Is it the one that looked so strong at times throughout the season with its strong showing from the floor and great depth, or is it the team that can’t rebound or handle teams that can hit from three? It doesn’t matter – Drake and that nasty defense pulls this off.

First Thought Prediction
Drake 75, Missouri 72
Missouri vs Drake Opening Lines
Bet MGM: Missouri -6.5, o/u: 133.5
Draft Kings: Missouri -5.5, o/u: 132.5
Fan Duel: NA, o/u: NA

2 St. John’s vs 15 Omaha

March 20, 9:45, CBS
Of all the teams in this thing I truly believe are just begging to get tagged, St. John’s is at the top of the list, and why? The free throw problems will get them at some point. If the Omaha threes are dropping, look out. But not – Rick Pitino’s bunch own the interior and move on.

First Thought Prediction
St. John’s 81, Omaha 67
St, John’s vs Omaha Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: St. John’s -17.5, o/u: 145.5
Fan Duel: St. John’s -17.5, o/u: 146.5

3 Texas Tech vs 14 UNC Wilmington

March 20, 10:10, truTV
UNC Wilmington is a horrible match for Texas Tech. The Seahawks have size, they’re great on the inside, and the Red Raiders don’t have enough of an interior presence. A few threes will bail the Big 12 out late.

First Thought Prediction
Texas Tech 76, UNC Wilmington 68
Texas Tech vs UNC Wilmington Opening Lines
Bet MGM: Texas Tech -15.5, o/u: 141.5
Draft Kings: Texas Tech -15.5, o/u: 142.5
Fan Duel: Texas Tech -15.5, o/u: 141.5

5 Memphis vs 12 Colorado State

March 21, 2:00, TBS
Coin toss time. Memphis isn’t healthy, but it’s playing well. Colorado State is playing as well as anyone outside of the power conferences, but it’s the Mountain West – no one other than San Diego State is good at cracking the NCAA Tournament code. The Rams have the talent to bust through. This will be a blast.

First Thought Prediction
Colorado State 84, Memphis 81
Memphis vs Colorado State Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: Colorado State -2.5, o/u: 145.5
Fan Duel: Colorado State -2.5, o/u: 144.5

4 Maryland vs 13 Grand Canyon

March 21, 4:35, TBS
No, this isn’t the Grand Canyon team of recent vintage. It’s still good, but it doesn’t have the defense or rebounding ability. Maryland comes out rolling and doesn’t stop.

First Thought Prediction
Maryland 84, Grand Canyon 58
Maryland vs Grand Canyon Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: Maryland -11.5, o/u: 151.5
Fan Duel: Maryland -11.5, o/u: 151.5

1 Florida vs 16 Norfolk State

March 21, 6:50, TNT
Before just assuming that Florida rumbles at will – and it will – Norfolk State might have a flew flashes. The Spartans like to fly up and down the court, but Florida will be far, far better in the interior.

First Thought Prediction
Florida 89, Norfolk State 61
Florida vs Norfolk State Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: Florida -26.5, o/u: 153.5
Fan Duel: Florida -27.5, o/u: 153.5

UConn vs 9 Oklahoma

March 21, 9:25, TNT
No, I’m not going to buy in that this meltdown-in-the-making UConn thing is all of a sudden going to rise up and be the team of the last two years. But it will roll past an Oklahoma team that won’t come close to handling the size of the Huskies.

First Thought Prediction
UConn 76, Oklahoma 70
UConn vs Oklahoma Opening Lines
Bet MGM: NA, o/u: NA
Draft Kings: UConn -4.5, o/u: 147.5
Fan Duel: UConn -4.5, o/u: 146.5

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