2025 NCAA Tournament Region (South) Breakdown, Preview And Picks - The Perfect Tom Izzo Situation
I've done this every year since I've been at Barstool and we roll on in 2025. I'll be looking at each region the next two days to get everyone ready for the NCAA Tournament. Not the First Four, the real field of 64. We'll look at matchups, previews, players to watch and what team could be a sleeper to come out of each region.
South Region
Storylines
1. Auburn having to play a road game in round 2 - This to me is one of those things that has been flying under the radar. I've heard it mentioned, but we're all caught up in the WVU/UNC storyline. If Louisville beats Creighton, they'll get Auburn in Rupp Arena. That's a road game. If you're going to be an 8 seed for Louisville, this is the ideal situation. Yeah, you don't want an Auburn in round 2, but you get them an hour from home. Weirdly Auburn did this as an 8 seed a few years ago and played Houston in Birmingham. It makes no sense when this happens, but here we are.
2. The perfect Tom Izzo situation - Michigan State losing to Wisconsin in the Big 10 Tournament couldn't have been a better situation for Izzo. Everyone was talking about how hot they were, how great of a job he's done, now he gets to flip it on his team. Their draw is pretty nice. You got a banged up Iowa State team as your 3 seed. People are talking about Auburn and UNC way more than mentioning Tom Izzo winning 4 games in a row. Just the perfect spot for an Izzo run.
3. Speaking of Iowa State's injuries - One of the smartest things done was what Iowa State did. They didn't announce that Keshon Gilbert would miss the NCAA Tournament until after the Selection show. Can't be penalized in that situation, especially after we heard Bubba Cunningham bring up player availability. Some gamesmanship? Of course. But now I have no idea what to think of Iowa State. Gilbert was so important to them.
4. Michigan massive underseeded - You want proof that the committee stops working around dinner time on Friday? This right here. Michigan isn't a 5 seed. They should have been at least a 4. Now they are the popular 12/5 upset pick because people love UCSD. UCSD has never seen a Michigan where they have two 7-footers out there and one of them can handle the rock and do whatever.
5. What version of Texas A&M is there - The Aggies are one of the more intriguing teams in the country to me. They lost 4 in a row, they beat the hell out of Auburn. They have a star in Wade Taylor, but they can't shoot. They kick everyone's ass rebounding, but does that work in March? There was a time A&M was viewed as a potential national title contender before they went cold late in February. If you get good shooting Taylor, this is the team that can beat Auburn. But if you get 4-for-18 Wade Taylor and no consistent offense, Yale is begging for an upset.
Players to Watch
There are a couple ways to look at this, but I'm looking at this strictly as an intrigue factor. These are players that could be lottery picks in the NBA Draft, could put a team on their back or are just flat out good players. We're trying to avoid the obvious ones like Cooper Flagg, Johni Broome, etc.
1. Danny Wolf (Michigan)
Danny Wolf fucking rules. The 7-footer who transferred from Yale is arguably the most unique player in the country. He's a true point forward who can handle the ball, Dusty May puts him in PnR's with Vlad Goldin and they kill teams that way. Obviously turnovers are a concern, but Wolf is such a unique mismatch that he's one of the most fun players in the country.
2. Donovan Dent (New Mexico)
To those who have been watching the sport all year Donovan Dent is a name you know. He should be an All-American. He's one of the best scorers in the country. He can get to the rim. He controls everything about the game and we get him vs Kam Jones (another All-American) in round 1.
3. Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State)
Someone has to step up with Gilbert out, who was the 2nd leading scorer. Lipsey is one of the steals leaders in Big 12 history and is one of the 5 guys who averaged double digit scoring for Iowa State. Not an elite shooter but without Gilbert he needs to take on more of a scoring role.
4. Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)
He doesn't start but he's one of the most dynamic players in the country. We know Broome. We even know Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones and some other guys on Auburn. But Pettiford is the guy who can really change how they look. Freshman is an elite scorer, has no fear but was ice cold in the SEC Tournament. If he finds his shooting again and scoring, that gives Auburn even more options and can dictate how they play him and Denver Jones pending on situation.
5. Jase Richardson (Michigan State)
I don't know if he's still under the radar because of Michigan State, but Jase Richardson fucking rules. Yeah, he's the son of Jason Richardson, but he's the guy who changes the ceiling on this Michigan State team. He's the elite NBA talent that they needed. He brings in a different look than Fears and Holloman and Akins. He's the guy they can give the ball too and create something.
Honorable Mentions: Stevie Mitchell (Marquette), Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss), Jacob Ognacevic (Lipscomb), Steven Ashworth (Creighton), Terrence Edwards (Louisville)
My Favorite Bet to Make the Final Four (odds here)
Michigan State +500
You're telling me I get Izzo and a top-10 team at 5/1? Yeah, Auburn is awesome. Auburn hasn't looked right in a couple weeks. I won't ever take a - to make a Final Four in this sort of setting. Again, banged up Iowa State team and a decent draw to get to the second weekend. Yeah, it's not going crazy here, but 5/1 is 5/1. Give me Izzo. I also think this is going to be a chalky tournament. We're seeing the top teams being elite all year, it's hard for me to find a team like Ole Miss to make a Final Four.
Matchup you most want to see - Michigan vs Michigan State, give me some hate rivalry with a trip to the Final Four.