These Mid-Majors are Poised to Bust Brackets in the 2025 NCAA Tournament

Every March Madness there’s a Cinderella, or two, and these lesser-known schools could make deep NCAA Tournament runs.

Augustas Marciulionis #3 of the Saint Mary's Gaels drives against Nolan Hickman #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half of the championship game of the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on March 11, 2025. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The 2025 NCAA Tournament, like all previous editions of March Madness, will be contrasted by the tourney runs of big-name blue-blood programs and mid-majors.

The former has historically dominated the tournament, with six programs—UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, UConn, Duke, and Indiana—combining to win nearly half of all NCAA Tournaments.