Men’s March Madness 2025: When the first whistle of any sporting event sounds, fans expect excitement. After all, watching sports is supposed to be enjoyable. With our busy lives and endless responsibilities, who wants to invest hours into something that feels dull?
Yet, this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament sparked that very debate. Was it exciting and worth the watch, or did it fall flat for fans craving upsets and underdog stories?
The “Boring” Narrative: Why Some Fans Weren’t Impressed
Some sports commentators and fans argue that March Madness 2025 lacked spark. Their biggest complaint? Predictability. All four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four, and the tournament featured few surprises.
Stephen A. Smith voiced concerns on TV, even questioning whether college basketball as we know it is fading. Online polls, including one by Newsweek, suggested the majority of viewers agreed: the tournament just wasn’t that exciting this year.
Not Everyone Agreed: Star Power and Elite Play
Despite the criticism, respected voices in the basketball world pushed back. Legendary ESPN commentator Dick Vitale defended the quality of the tournament:
“We have witnessed some brilliant play by the stars in the game such as Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome as well as the fierce competitiveness between the various elite teams has been superb.”
In his view, the display of talent and intensity among top teams made the tournament compelling, even if it lacked Cinderella stories.
The Missing Cinderellas: Why Fans Crave Underdogs
What Counts as an Upset?
According to NCAA definitions, an “upset” happens when a team beats an opponent seeded at least five spots higher. By that standard, March Madness 2025 only featured four true upsets:
- Drake over Missouri
- Colorado State over Memphis
- McNeese over Clemson
- Arkansas over St. John’s
Three happened in the first round; only one advanced further. That’s a low count for a tournament famous for bracket-busting surprises.
Why We Love Underdogs
Psychologists agree: fans have an emotional connection to underdogs. Social psychologist George R. Goethals conducted studies that revealed people sympathize with weaker entities—even geometric shapes—when they appear to struggle against the odds.
When translated to sports, this explains why fans often root for underdogs. It’s about more than just teams; it taps into a universal feeling of empathy and fairness. Many of us see ourselves in the less favored, scrappy teams fighting for respect.
A Fan’s Perspective
Newsweek polled readers ahead of the Final Four. Of 55 respondents, 50 said the 2025 tournament was boring. Some common complaints included:
“Four number 1 seeds — boring, snooze fest. I will not watch. Most of the teams are from power conferences,” wrote Erick Mandt.
“No seeds lower than 12 won a game and all of the top 2 seeds advanced past the first weekend except St. John’s,” added Tom Crotty.
Redefining Boring: Is It Really That Simple?
We know fans love upsets. But is predictability always a bad thing? Some past tournaments prove that chaos isn’t always better.
Comparing Past Tournaments
The 2023 NCAA Tournament was full of surprises. A No. 1 and No. 2 seed lost in the first round. The Final Four included mid-majors like Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. It was chaos—but not everyone loved it.
Will Leitch wrote a piece titled “The Year March Madness Went a Little Too Mad” suggesting fans eventually crave some order, even in March Madness.
Viewership Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
- The 2023 tournament averaged 9.1 million viewers through the Elite Eight.
- 2024’s edition was slightly more traditional and averaged similar numbers.
- The 2025 tournament? It averaged 9.4 million viewers through the same point and had the most-watched opening Thursday in history (9.1 million viewers).
Clearly, lack of upsets didn’t keep people from tuning in.
The Star Power Factor
Even without Cinderella teams, the 2025 tournament showcased plenty of elite talent. Eight of the top ten NBA prospects, according to Tankathon, participated. Cooper Flagg, Johni Broome, and others captivated fans with their skill—even if their teams were expected to dominate.
NIL, Transfer Portal, and the Changing Landscape of College Hoops
How NIL Has Changed Everything
The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals gave athletes new financial power. Combined with looser transfer rules, this has changed how college basketball works.
Example: St. John’s five leading scorers were all transfers. With help from billionaire alumnus Mike Repole, they became contenders almost overnight.
Does This Hurt Cinderellas?
Dick Vitale thinks so:
“With the NIL, the big-time schools are getting all the best players annually from the transfer portal. It is very difficult for the schools without pockets full of cash to be able to compete.”
If small schools can’t retain talent, it becomes harder for them to shock the world in March. Mid-majors could get picked apart by larger programs with bigger NIL budgets.
Still, some teams used the system to their advantage. Ole Miss had seven transfers. St. John’s fell to Arkansas—one of the few upsets of the tournament.
The Double-Edged Sword
While top schools benefit from NIL and transfers, mid-level programs can still make noise. But overall, the system tilts toward established powerhouses, and that might make Cinderella stories rarer going forward.
What Does the Future Hold for March Madness?
Despite fears of a “boring” era, March Madness continues to draw massive attention. And the format—a single-elimination tournament where one bad night ends a team’s dream—still creates drama.
As Vitale put it:
“Unfortunately, it will be much more difficult for teams like Florida Atlantic, George Mason, University of Massachusetts, etc., to make it to the Final Four.”
However, he remains optimistic that the unique playoff format will always captivate fans, even as the system favors big-budget programs.
So, Was March Madness 2025 Beautiful or Boring?
It depends on who you ask. For those who love upsets and underdogs, it may have been disappointing. But for fans of elite basketball and NBA-bound talent, it offered a high level of competition and star power.
Despite all the noise, millions still watched. The game isn’t going anywhere. We may argue about what makes it great, but when tipoff comes, fans still tune in. That, in itself, proves the enduring magic of March Madness.