2025 March Madness: Second Round Preview

This weekend, the second round of NCAA March Madness will take place, where the top college basketball teams in the United States will compete for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.

The opening round didn’t bring many surprises, with the biggest upset being the McNeese State Cowboys’ victory over the Clemson Tigers.

On Saturday, in the South Region, Auburn aims to keep proving why it is the favorite as it faces the Creighton Bluejays.

Jumping to the Midwest, two thrilling matchups are set, with the Houston Cougars taking on the Gonzaga Bulldogs while the Tennessee Volunteers go against the UCLA Bruins.

On Sunday, the East Region’s top favorite, the Duke Blue Devils, will face the Baylor Bears, who eliminated the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

2025 March Madness Second Round Betting Odds

2025 March Madness Second Round: Auburn vs. Creighton

Auburn dominated Alabama State in the first round with an 83-63 victory, led by Miles Kelly’s 23 points. Johni Broome had a strong performance with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Tahaad Pettiford contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Tigers finished the season with a 29-5 record and aim to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2019.

On the other hand, Creighton was one of the teams that managed to upset a higher-ranked opponent, defeating the Louisville Cardinals 89-75. Jamiya Neal delivered a spectacular performance with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Steven Ashworth added 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists. They have lost only one of their last five games and have reached the Sweet Sixteen in each of the past two years.

Auburn vs. Creighton Betting Pick: Auburn

2025 March Madness Second Round: Houston vs. Gonzaga

The Houston Cougars are one of the hottest teams in the country, riding a 14-game winning streak. In the first round, they dominated SIU Edwardsville with a commanding 78-40 victory, led by Milos Uzan, who scored 16 points along with three rebounds and three assists. They hold a 31-4 record this season and have been a No. 1 seed in the postseason for three consecutive years, advancing past the second round in both previous appearances.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs also had little trouble in their opening-round matchup, securing an 89-68 win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Shooting guard Khalif Battle was their standout performer, with 24 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. They have lost just once in their last 11 games and have consistently made it past the second round in each of the previous 10 tournaments, winning the championship twice.

Houston vs. Gonzaga Betting Pick: Houston

2025 March Madness Second Round: Tennessee vs. UCLA

Tennessee had no trouble dispatching the Wofford Terriers with a 77-62 victory, led by Chaz Lanier’s 29-point performance. Zakai Zeigler also stood out with 12 points and 12 assists. The Volunteers are the No. 2 seed in the Midwest despite their 28-7 season, and they recently secured a crucial win over Auburn. They have successfully advanced past the second round in the last two years.

On the other hand, UCLA cruised past Utah State with a 72-47 win, as Skyy Clark and Eric Dailey Jr. each contributed 14 points. The Bruins finished the season with a 23-10 record but have struggled recently, losing four of their last nine games. Despite their inconsistent form, they have reached the Sweet Sixteen in the past three seasons.

Tennessee vs. UCLA Betting Pick: Tennessee

2025 March Madness Second Round: Duke vs. Baylor

The last time Duke won the NCAA Championship was in 2015, and this year, they are serious contenders to do it again. They dominated Mount St. Mary’s with a 93-49 victory in the first round, extending their winning streak to 12 games. Their impressive 31-3 record proves their strength, with Australian guard Tyrese Proctor scoring 19 points in that opening postseason game.

Baylor was one of the few lower-seeded teams to pull off a first-round victory. The No. 9-seeded Bears fought hard to edge out No. 8 Mississippi State with a 75-72 win, led by Robert Wright’s 19 points. However, Scott Drew’s team struggled toward the end of the season, winning just four of their last nine games.

These teams last faced on December 20, 2023, with Duke securing a 78-70 victory. This matchup comes with added intrigue, as Jeremy Roach, who spent four years with the Blue Devils, is now playing for the Bears.

Duke vs. Baylor Betting Pick: Duke