2025 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Preview: Houston, Tennessee Path to Championship
The Houston Cougars and Tennessee Volunteers are the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region, but face a plethora of strong offenses in their path. Can these top-five defenses shut down their opponents and avoid any upsets? Jason Radowitz breaks down their path to the championship in a gritty bracket group of the Midwest.
Jason Radowitz - March 19, 2025, 5:36 PM EDT
4 min2025 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Preview: Houston, Tennessee Path to Championship
The Midwest Region has a lot of upset potential this year.
The Houston Cougars were given the No. 1 seed in this region. However, in the Round of 32, they'll likely face a KenPom top-10 team in the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, many college basketball fans are eying the 4-13 and 5-12 games in this region for potential upsets
Despite Clemson's run last season, one of the most picked upsets in the tournament includes McNeese State over Clemson. Many fans also believe the Purdue Boilermakers will be exposed in their matchup against High Point.
Meanwhile, I'm expecting a massive upset that might make me age poorly after tonight or make me look like a genius for the rest of my life.
Let's dive in to the Midwest Region Preview.
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Midwest Region Final Four Odds
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Who Can Make Noise In The South?
1. Houston Cougars
Look... the SEC hasn't won a National Title since 2012. That conference is overrated and likely won't have more than one team in the Final Four.
The one team I like in the SEC in Florida, but Houston wouldn't have to face the Gators until the Championship game if it played out like that.
The Cougars rank 10th in offensive efficiency and second in defensive efficiency. They're not the best at scoring inside but they're a top-five team at limiting other opponents around the rim.
The Cougars have also lost just one game since December, an overtime loss to Texas Tech by one point. That's how good Houston has been.
People will predict Gonzaga, Clemson, or even McNeese will knock off Houston. I don't see it. Houston can legitimately go all the way this year.
2. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee is another dangerous team with a high-quality offense and top-tier defense. However, the team hasn't blown anyone away offensively. Although their offense is above average in many metrics, it doesn't stand out in any one area. Ultimately, the Vols have added 35.4% of offensive rebounds, which is probably the main thing with Tennessee.
That won't work against other teams that can rebound well.
I predict Tennessee will reach the Sweet 16 but then lose to the Texas Longhorns before the Elite Eight. (Yes, Texas must beat Xavier first tonight!)
Looking for the South Region Preview? Click here
Midwest First-Round Matchups
8. Gonzaga vs. 9. Georgia
When did Gonzaga last lose a first-round matchup? I can't even remember. Gonzaga is an elite squad that should at least get by Georgia.
Remember, the SEC will drop like flies in the first four days.
5. Clemson vs. 12. McNeese State
The disrespect for Clemson is out of this world. They're the only team that knocked off Duke in the ACC and they also won three straight games in last year's tournament with almost an identical roster.
McNeese State had a terrific season but Will Wade has never been an elite coach during March Madness. I'm not falling for the trap.
4. Purdue vs. 13. High Point
I understand the hype surrounding High Point. They were dealt an awesome matchup, and two years ago, Purdue was knocked out in the first round.
High Point is one of the most efficient offenses in the nation and easily the most efficienct mid-major offense in the country. They've scored 57.4% from inside the arc and will face a Purdue squad that has allowed teams to shoot 56.4% from two-point range.
High Point has a legitimate chance.
6. Illinois vs. Xavier or Texas
At large teams that are at least four games under .500 in conference play are 5-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
That would favor Texas. Obviously, Texas needs to get past Xavier tonight. But if Texas is able to do that, they'll be dangerous throughout the entire tournament.
Look at Texas' roster... With Tre Johnson, Arthur Kaluma, Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark, and Kadin Shedrick, this is one of the most talented rosters in college basketball. They underperformed in the SEC this season but now they don't have to face the SEC for a little while.
3. Kentucky vs. 14. Troy
If Kentucky loses this game, Mark Pope will leave a job the next day. It's not happening.
7. UCLA vs. 10. Utah State
UCLA was bounced in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament. That usually doesn't bode well for teams. That said, they're facing a Utah State squad that is from the Mountain West.
Mountain West teams absolutely stink in the Tournament. We just saw San Diego State get smoked by North Carolina, for example.
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