March Meh-ness 2025: The Heavyweights Hold the Floor—Is That a Good Thing?

This year’s men’s NCAA Tournament has delivered on talent and tension, but one thing is noticeably missing: chaos.

In a landscape usually painted by buzzer-beaters and bracket-breaking underdogs, 2025 has instead handed the spotlight to the blue bloods and powerhouses. Six of the eight top seeds remain, and not a single double-digit seed cracked the Sweet 16.

The result? A bracket that looks more like a preseason coaches poll than a scrappy tournament of dreams. For some, that’s a sign of quality. For others, it’s a reminder that something’s shifted in college basketball.

The Era of the Super-Team

It’s no coincidence that we’re watching a top-heavy tournament. With the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, transfer portal mobility, and better player development pipelines, schools with deep pockets and big brands have consolidated talent like never before.

Programs like Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Purdue aren’t just well-coached—they’re professionally built. These are teams that could hang with G-League Ignite rosters on a good day. Auburn and Houston in particular play with a physicality and defensive precision that makes mid-majors look like they’re running through mud.

Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed, has looked every bit the juggernaut. Duke’s Cooper Flagg—yes, that Cooper Flagg—is already drawing NBA-level hype, and he’s not disappointing. Houston has turned defense into religion, and Coach Cal has Arkansas looking like a blue chip Kentucky.

It’s great basketball. But is it great Madness?

Where Are the Cinderellas?

Every March, we’re promised one thing above all else: the chance to see the unexpected. The No. 15 seed that knocks off a Goliath. The small-school guard who turns into a tournament legend. The team with one ESPN Top 100 recruit (if that) playing its heart out against a team with a dozen.

This year, not so much.

The lowest remaining seeds? A few 5s and 6s. Good teams. Respectable programs. But not what most fans would call a Cinderella. No Florida Gulf Coast. No Saint Peter’s. Not even a Loyola Chicago Sister Jean cameo.

That raises the question: is the dream still alive in March Madness if the dreamers are absent?

Pros and Cons of a Powerhouse Tournament

There’s no denying the basketball has been excellent. Watching Duke face Arizona, or Auburn go toe-to-toe with Michigan, or Houston’s suffocating defense shut down opposing backcourts—these are games that feel like Elite Eight or Final Four quality, and they’re happening now.

But the heart of March Madness was never built on quality alone. It was built on magic. And without a scrappy team busting brackets, this tournament has felt more like a high-end showcase than a grassroots saga.

The pros? The best teams are advancing, and the matchups ahead are compelling. There’s little risk of blowouts. The level of play, thanks to returning upperclassmen and elite freshmen alike, is arguably better than it’s been in years.

The cons? For neutral fans, there’s less enchantment. Fewer viral moments. Fewer stories that transcend basketball. And maybe that makes the tournament feel just a little more corporate than communal.

Looking Ahead

Still, there’s a lot to love in this Sweet 16. The rematch between Duke and Arizona, with Caleb Love once again poised to be a Blue Devil killer. The clash between Houston’s defense and Purdue’s offensive efficiency. The battle of southern giants as Auburn meets Michigan.

Even without the underdogs, the matchups are tantalizing. And if a Cinderella didn’t make it, well… maybe it’s because the top teams simply wouldn’t let them.

In the end, the beauty of March Madness is that it resets every year. And while 2025 may belong to the heavyweights, the slipper is always waiting in the wings for next season’s long shot.

March is never just about basketball—it’s about belief. And in this year’s NCAA Women’s Tournament, belief is everywhere: in the deep benches of seasoned powerhouses, in the hearts of freshman phenoms, and in the roaring underdogs playing like they’ve got nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Now, with the Sweet 16 set, the storylines are as compelling as ever. From historic dynasties pushing toward legacy-defining titles to breakout stars making their mark, the 2025 Women’s March Madness bracket is already delivering what it promises: real competition and unforgettable moments.

The Paige Bueckers Show

No player in this tournament has embodied the moment quite like UConn’s Paige Bueckers. Back from injury and playing with the clarity of a senior who knows this is her final run, Bueckers put on a clinic in UConn’s dominant second-round victory over South Dakota State, notching 34 points—tying her career high—along with 4 assists, 4 steals, and no turnovers.

It wasn’t just a statistical masterpiece—it was a reminder of why Bueckers was once the face of women’s college basketball and still very much belongs in the spotlight. Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo told CT Insider: “She’s playing the best basketball of her career… Paige is the most unguardable player in America right now.” That’s not hyperbole—it’s gospel to anyone who watched her this past weekend.

With UConn in its 31st straight Sweet 16, the Huskies are back where they’ve always felt at home. And with Bueckers leading the way, the rest of the bracket would be wise to take notice.

South Carolina’s Relentless Pursuit

Still, if there’s a favorite with both momentum and muscle, it’s South Carolina. Despite losing Aliyah Boston to the WNBA, Dawn Staley has once again assembled a team capable of bulldozing through a bracket. Led by freshman phenom Joyce Edwards, sophomore sparkplug MiLaysia Fulwiley, and the consistently reliable Chloe Kitts, the Gamecocks are undefeated, unbothered, and frankly, unafraid.

They face Maryland next—a team that just survived a wild, double-overtime win over Alabama—but if South Carolina continues their two-way dominance, there’s little doubt they’ll be dancing into the Final Four.

USC’s Heartbreak and Hope

One of the tournament’s most emotional stories comes from USC, where heartbreak struck in the second round. Freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who had led the nation in scoring, went down with a torn ACL. It’s a devastating loss for the program and the sport, as Watkins had quickly become one of the faces of the new generation of women’s basketball stars.

But what followed was remarkable: the Trojans routed Mississippi State 96–59 without Watkins, thanks largely to a career-high 36-point performance from Kiki Iriafen, who grabbed 9 boards and seemingly decided the team’s run wasn’t over yet. If USC can continue playing inspired basketball, they remain a dark horse threat.

Notre Dame and Hannah Hidalgo Are Rolling

Meanwhile, Notre Dame has found its groove behind sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo, one of the most electric players left in the field. Hidalgo’s 24.1 points per game, paired with her aggressive defense, have helped the Fighting Irish roll through their bracket so far. If Bueckers is playing the most efficient basketball in the country, Hidalgo might be playing the most passionate.

Notre Dame’s next opponent won’t come easy, but there’s a confidence and cohesion to their play right now that suggests they’re not done shocking people.

Looking Ahead

With programs like UCLA, LSU, NC State, Texas, and Tennessee still in the mix, the rest of the Sweet 16 promises fierce battles and more surprises. But one thing is clear: this tournament is less about legacy and more about momentum. And if March teaches us anything, it’s that momentum trumps expectation nearly every time.

From seasoned legends to rising stars, the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is more than just entertaining—it’s essential viewing. And as the stakes rise, so does the level of play.