Duke Missing The Final Four Would Be One Of The Biggest Failures In Recent College Hoops History - 2025 NCAA Tournament Region (East) Breakdown, Preview And Picks -
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 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 reach region.
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East Region
Storylines
1. Duke's entire season is based on 4 games - There's no other way to put this. Duke's entire season has to be viewed as a failure if they don't make the Final Four. Trust me, I've lived this before. I've lived hearing if Kentucky didn't make a Final Four it was a failure of a season because of talent. Well, Duke has Cooper Flagg. The clear cut No. 1 pick in the Draft, the No. 1 recruit, all that. Throw in they brought back players, hit the transfer portal and brought in 3 other top recruits? Yeah, you gotta make a Final Four. Not to mention the region is in Newark which is basically a home game for them. The Maliq Brown injury is significant, obviously Flagg is hurt too, we just don't know to what degree. But everyone judges teams in March. Gotta win 4.
2. The bus bet - I know it's inside Barstool but the thought of Rico Bosco sweating out a 57-hour bus trip to San Antonio against Wisconsin and then Duke is hilarious. It would also lead to a discussion about Alabama this year. This was a popular preseason pick to win the title, people arguing if they should be No. 1 in the country, all of that. They are coming off an ass kicking from Florida and don't have the best draw. BYU/Wisconsin can score with them if they see them. Then you have Duke in the Elite Eight.
3. Altitude legs - It's somewhat dumb, but this is March. Wisconsin has to go to Denver as a 3 seed after playing 4 games in 4 days at the Big 10 Tournament. They could draw BYU in that second round. I want that matchup because that's an elite offensive game. I know people don't like to think of Wisconsin as some offensive power, but this year they are. They run, they can shoot, Tonje is one of the best scorers in the country and Blackwell is ridiculously good. We saw what BYU can do when they are hitting shots. Does playing in Denver impact this at all? I have no idea, never dealt with altitude, but it has to be talked about.
4. Dana Altman flying under the radar - I don't know if it's Oregon being in the Big 10 or not having a real star, this Oregon team is flying under the radar. Altman has been a damn good March coach. They do have talent, Nate Bittle is awesome. But I don't know how many people can name Oregon's starting 5. Yet here we are with them as a 5 seed, looking like a team who could go on a run because this is what Oregon does in this scenario.
5. One last run for Caleb Love - A dude who has been in college forever. A dude who shot Arizona out of the Tournament last year but was awesome in the Big 12 Tournament. It's just a matter of what Caleb Love shows up. He's good enough to win you a game and confident enough to lose you a game. I think Arizona could make a run to the Elite Eight. I love their roster and the way they play. Love vs Duke one more time would be awesome for college basketball too.
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. We're trying to avoid the obvious ones or All-Americans like Cooper Flagg or Mark Sears in this region.
1. Richie Saunders (BYU) - I don't know how many people are aware of how good Richie Saunders is. All-Conference guy who puts up 16 a game, 43% from three. He's the sort of guy who is made for March moments. Egor Denim is the NBA Draft guy but Saunders is the guy for BYU.
2. John Blackwell (Wisconsin) - I mentioned him earlier but he's the perfect second option for Wisconsin. Tonje is the guy, he's the All-American, but Blackwell is damn good. Dude puts up 15 a game while controlling tempo the entire time. He's got good size at the lead guard and just gives a different look compared to what we're used to at Wisconsin.
3. Labaron Philon (Alabama) - A lot of different Alabama guys could come here but I'm going with the freshman. He's the microwave scorer. He's someone who looks to attack. Can he get out of control a bit? Of course. But Philon can also be the guy that steps on someone's throat when Bama goes on their runs.
4. Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State) - I had to put him somewhere on this list. Hubbard is about 5'8" and one of the best scorers in America. I love watching him play because when he catches fire there are very few dudes in the country that launch like him. It's also Mississippi State, they rely on him to shoot and especially late in game situations he's a go-to. I don't think Mississippi State can win but he's awesome.
5. Carter Bryant (Arizona) - Another freshman here. Carter Bryant changed Arizona's ceiling. He's only started 5 games this year, but he's adapting to the game. At 6'8" and the ability to step out Arizona can play him at different positions. I think they need to use him even more. Again, we see guys like Bryant break out in March and that's why I have him here.
Honorable Mentions: Sion James (Duke), Max Shulga (VCU), Norchad Omier (Baylor), Jackson Shelstad (Oregon)
My Favorite Bet to Make the Final Four (odds here)
Wisconsin +850/BYU +1500 - I love these two teams. BYU needs to get past VCU and a VCU team that can muck an entire game up. But I truly believe if these two teams play the winner of this goes to the Final Four. That's how much I love their offenses. I have concerns about Duke's injury and if Flagg can do the quick turnarounds. I have concerns about Alabama in a muck game. Give me these two longshots. Again, we're not taking any - number here, so these are the two I'm attracted to.
Matchup you want to see - Wisconsin vs BYU in the second round. I said it before and I'll say it again. Two of the best offenses and most fun offenses in the country. When you get these second round games you tend to get awesome matchups. This would be one of the best in the entire tournament.
