Top seeds dominate NCAA tournament's first round

The NCAA tournament, known for its surprises, has seen little excitement so far in 2025. The top four seeds achieved a perfect record of 16-0 in the first round. This dominant performance has created questions about the nature of this year’s tournament. The underdogs have not performed well. Many expected upsets, but they did not happen. The average margin of victory for top seeds was a significant 22.6 points. Teams ranked as 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th lost by large margins, with none even close to pulling off an upset. Coaches from lower-seeded teams expressed frustration. Norfolk State's coach, for instance, was unhappy that his team was labeled as a 28.5-point underdog against Florida. Despite their hopes to compete, they fell behind by as much as 32 points in the first half. Other teams like Akron and High Point also struggled, with none gaining an early lead against their top-ranked opponents. Analysts note that the top seeds are among the strongest seen in years. Changes in college basketball, such as the rise of NIL deals and the ease of transferring, may have increased the strength of high-major teams. Many mid-major stars are now playing for larger programs due to better financial incentives. While some mid-majors have successfully attracted talent from high-major schools, the overall trend seems to favor the top teams. It's unclear if this year's dominance by higher seeds is a one-time occurrence or a new trend. So far, the tournament has been less thrilling than expected. Fans hope for more excitement as the tournament continues.