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The 8 teams we believe could win the national title vs. the other 356

Could J'Wan Roberts and the Houston Cougars make a run for the national title? AP Photo/Karen Warren

There is less than three weeks until the field of 68 is set for the 2025 men's NCAA tournament.

With teams on the bubble vying for bids and the race for 1-seeds seemingly wide open, we asked our college basketball experts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf to continue the ESPN tradition of selecting the eight teams they believe have the best chance to win the national title -- a process that requires eliminating the other 356 teams from consideration.

They split every Division I men's college basketball team into tiers below, making the cases for the eight with the best chances to cut down the nets in San Antonio on April 7.

Jump to:
The eight that can win it all | The 22 near-misses


The 9 ineligible teams

East Texas A&M Lions
Le Moyne Dolphins
Lindenwood Lions
Mercyhurst Lakers
Queens University Royals
St. Thomas-Minnesota Tommies
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
Stonehill Skyhawks
West Georgia Wolves


The 325 teams with no clear path

Abilene Christian Wildcats
Air Force Falcons
Akron Zips
Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Alabama State Hornets
UAlbany Great Danes
Alcorn State Braves
American University Eagles
App State Mountaineers
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Army Black Knights
Austin Peay Governors