Watch The Throne - Joel Piton's Picks to win March Madness
- Joel Piton
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
March Madness has officially tipped off. What teams bring the most firepower? From the lowest chance to the the highest, here are MY top 5 picks for who's likely to add a prestigious title to their university by the tournaments end.
Alabama (25-8)
This year's Crimson Tide roster offers a deep level of NBA caliber talent. With the addition of rising sophomore Aden Holloway and 6'11 atheltic freak Cliff Omoruyi, the Crimson Tide has a mix of size and athleticism that other teams don't. The team's height average is 6'7, and there's a plethora of guy over 6'9 stepping into the forward position. Grant Nelson and Jarin Stevenson have the size and scoring abilities to stretch the defense, so long as Nelson can return from his injury before all is said and done. With shifty guard Mark Sears at the helm, the Crimson Tide will look to push the pace and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. The combination of length, athleticism, and guard play make Alabama a credible threat.
Auburn (28-5)
The Southeastern Conference continues to be dominated by the Tigers year after year, seemingly unharmed by last year's departures and NBA draftees. 6'10 Johni Broome remains a thorn in the defense's side, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, AND blocks. The guy's a juggernaut, and I can't wait to see what he does with his pro career. But is Broome surrounded by a championship caliber core? Despite his size, 6'1 Tahaad Pettiford isn't afraid of contact, offering a shifty layup package and floater game that continues to develop. Baker-Mazara remains team's best catch and shoot threat, and 6'6 Miles Kelly is an additional streaky, long-range threat that appears to activate his "takeover mode" in the fourth quarter. Above all, this roster is fully healthy. I think this team wears its heart on its sleeve, and they're ready to show what they've got this month.
Houston Cougars (30-4)
According to Coach Sampson, L.J. Cryer has been the best thing to happen to this Cougars team, carrying over his leadership role from Baylor and consistently shouldering the offensive load. Shooting over 45% from three, Cryer has proven to be a reliable perimeter threat. Guards Emmanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan provide more firepower from deep, but that's my vice. This team doesn't have the size that Florida has, or even a credible big-man. The interior is weak, and although the offense has brought them this far, a guard heavy team may not pan out well against teams with excellent interior defense. Despite all this, the talent is there and we all know it. If the Cougars can bolster their paint presence, there's no telling how things will go.
Florida (30-4)
As huge Billy Donovan fan, this would be my pick to win it all. I don't like how they stack up against one particular ACC team, but I'll be rooting for them all the same. Walter Clayton means business, putting up 17 points per night and racking four assists to lead the team in both categories. Australian phenom Alex Condon is a two way threat, willing to stretch the floor and simultaneously clean the glass, headlining in rebounding and block statistics. It's a shame a certain 7'9 alien won't be suiting up for the team just yet, but on paper, the size and defensive ability gives the team an edge against Houston, albeit the difference in conferences. It's time this school offered a recruitment masterclass, because they seem to develop a group of guys that can conquer the standings each and every season.
Duke (31-3)
A welcome surprise, Cooper Flagg's Blue Devils have soared top of the standings. The 6'9 18-year-old took the squad from the No. 9 ranking to a seemingly unbeatable force overnight, making them the title favorites. Coop's 19 points per game, 7 rebounds and 4 assists on nearly 50% shooting make him a skilled offensive juggernaut capable of sharing the rock or taking the tough shots provided by his height. While Flagg leads the team in nearly every category (points, assists, blocks, rebounds and steals), he isn't acting alone—transfers Sion James and Mason Gillis bring grown-man strength and leadership to a team headlined by the underage Flagg. Kon Knueppel bears a similar game to Flagg as an oversized guard, and Tyrese Proctor when healthy is a capable playmaker and an on-ball menace. 7'2 freshman Khaman Maluach made an immediate impact and quickly established himself as a lob threat and paint beast. This time has all bases covered, and if their current trajectory serves as an indication for what the future holds, the Blue Devils are poised to add another championship banner to their catalog.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of 2025 March Madness College Basketball Playoffs
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