The 2025 March Madness tournament delivered an unforgettable array of thrilling moments, solidifying its reputation as one of the most unpredictable and exciting events in college basketball. From buzzer-beaters to upsets, each game added to the drama and intensity that makes this tournament a fan favorite year after year.
This year’s tournament was marked by an unprecedented achievement: an all-One Seed Final Four, showcasing the dominance of the top-ranked teams. As the bracket unfolded, underdog stories, incredible individual performances, and heart-stopping finishes left an indelible mark on the tournament’s history.
Here are the top 10 most memorable moments from the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, showcasing the highs and lows, the triumphs and heartbreaks that defined this year’s spectacle.
10. Game Winner in the First Four
This year’s tournament started the energy off well. In the first four battles between Alabama State and St.Francis (PA), the game was tied 68-68. With 2.7 seconds left, the Hornets had the entire court to try for a winner. That’s when junior guard Micah Simpson threw a Hail Mary for a touchdown. It wound up in the hands of redshirt sophomore guard Amarr Knox, and the Hornets remained dancing; they faced Auburn now in Round One.
9. McNeese First Tournament Win
Many brackets saw the Clemson Tigers going far, some had them in the Final Four. Unfortunately for those people, the McNeese Cowboys took them down in round one. Despite being a two point game, the Cowboys led the entire game. As Head Coach Will Wade, Guard Quadir Copeland, and Student Manager, Amir “Aura” Khan moved to NC State, the mark this squad left was one of the biggest out of any “Cinderella.”
8. The Johnnies Go Down
St. John’s entered the tournament as a No.2 seed, the Big East champions, and the eighth-highest-ranked team. That meant nothing for John Calipari and the No.10 seed Arkansas Razorbacks. Calipari’s squad led from the jump provided by 16 from Billy Richmond and 15 from Karter Knox, ending St. John’s magic carpet ride led by AP Coach of the Year, Rick Pitino.
7. Back to Back Champs Defeated
The UCONN Huskies did not have the season they expected after winning back-to-back titles. Entering the tournament as a No.8 seed, they took care of Oklahoma before running into Florida. In a nailbiter, the Gators squeaked by winning 77-75 despite a strong showing from Huskies freshman Liam McNeeley, who added 22 points.
6. Derek Queen’s Buzzer Beater
Maryland’s Derik Queen hit a buzzer-beating fadeaway jumper to win the game against Colorado State, sending the Terrapins to the Sweet 16 in a 72-71 victory. Colorado State took a 71-70 lead when Jalen Lake nailed a 3-pointer with six seconds left, but Queen’s dominance was unmatched as he came through with 17 points and six rebounds.
5. Alabama breaks the 3-Point Record
The Crimson Tide made a tournament record 25 three-pointers in a dominating 113-88 win over BYU in the Sweet 16. Mark Sears led the charge with 10, Aden Hollaway with 6, and Chris Youngblood added 5. This advanced the SEC juggernaut to play Duke in the Elite 8 and a battle of the one vs. two seeds.
4. Florida’s Late Game Heroics
The Elite 8 Matchup between Texas Tech and Florida was finished, but with just under three minutes to go, the Red Raiders led by nine. Thomas Haugh cut the lead to six, and Walter Clayton Jr hit back-to-back threes, including a step back, to give the Gators the lead. Clayton’s 30 and Haugh’s 20 brought the Gators back from the swamp.
3. An All-One-Seeded Final Four
For the first time since 2008, the Final Four consisted of only one seed. The Houston Cougars, Duke Blue Devils, Florida Gators, and Auburn Tigers were heavily regarded as four of the top teams in the nation this season and continued to dominate in March. With plenty of close wins, the committee got the four best teams in the field correct as they headed to San Antonio.
2. Duke Chokes the Game Away
The Duke Blue Devils only made one field goal in the final ten and a half minutes of their field game against the Houston Cougars. Known for their hardcore defense, with 8:17 to go, Houston had just 45 points but finished with 70 after outscoring Duke 25-8 the rest of the way. Stars such as Cooper Flagg and Tyrese Proctor struggled down the stretch, and coach Kelvin Sampson advanced to his first championship game as a head coach.
1. Gators Take it All
In a thrilling NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game on April 7, 2025, the Florida Gators edged out the Houston Cougars 65-63 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This victory secured Florida’s third national title, following their championships in 2006 and 2007. Houston, aiming for their first national title, led most of the game and held a 12-point advantage early in the second half. However, junior guard Emanuel Sharp committed two crucial turnovers in the final minute. With 46.5 seconds left, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. converted a layup to give the Gators a 64-63 lead. On Houston’s ensuing possession, Sharp mishandled the ball under pressure, allowing Florida’s Alex Condon to secure the loose ball as time expired. Clayton Jr., who had been scoreless in the first half, scored 11 points in the second half, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. LJ Cryer led Houston with 19 points. This game was a testament to both teams’ resilience and competitiveness, with Florida’s late-game execution ultimately prevailing.
