2025 NCAA Tournament Review: Overachievers, Underachievers and Surprise Performances

In-Depth Analysis of NCAA Tournament Teams

The 2025 NCAA Tournament delivered another thrilling chapter in college basketball history. While only one team gets to cut down the nets, we examine how 12 major programs measured up against expectations during March Madness.

Evaluating Performance Metrics

When assessing tournament performance, we consider:

• Pre-season expectations
• Conference records
• Tournament seeding
• Strength of schedule
• Program resources

Overachieving Teams

Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 2 seed, Elite Eight exit)

Why they excelled:

• Fifth straight strong tournament showing
• Competed against historically strong 1-seeds
• Continued program elevation under Nate Oats

BYU Cougars (No. 6 seed, Sweet 16 exit)

Remarkable achievements:

• Successful transition to Big 12 conference
• Overcame coaching change with Kevin Young
• Landed top 2025 recruit A.J. Dybantsa

Underperforming Programs

Arizona Wildcats (No. 4 seed, Sweet 16 exit)

Areas of concern:

• Declining win totals under Tommy Lloyd
• Lack of signature tournament wins
• Questionable prospects in tougher Big 12

The Neutral Performers

Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 10 seed, Sweet 16 exit)

Mixed results:

• Strong finish after disastrous SEC start
• Concerns about Calipari's long-term fit
• Programs expects Final Four potential

Purdue Boilermakers (No. 4 seed, Sweet 16 exit)

Heartbreak continues:

• Another close tournament loss
• Strong regular season performance
• Program clearly on the cusp of breakthrough

Looking Ahead to 2026

The NCAA Tournament always delivers surprises. Based on 2025 performances, watch for:

1. Alabama to make serious Final Four push
2. Kentucky's continued resurgence under Mark Pope
3. Texas Tech maintaining elite tournament consistency
4. Michigan rebuilding under Dusty May
5. Ole Miss trying to sustain newfound success

All statistics current as of March 31, 2025 postseason