The NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set to commence on March 20, 2025, with excitement brewing as teams prepare for the showdown. This season has been noteworthy, with the announcement of the 2024-25 men's college basketball All-America teams by the Associated Press shining a spotlight on remarkable talent in the league.
Leading this year’s First Team is Duke’s Cooper Flagg, a standout freshman with impressive averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, earning all 61 first-place votes for a total of 305 points. Hot on his heels is Johni Broome of Auburn, also averaging 18.9 points along with 10.6 rebounds, equally securing 61 votes and matching Flagg's overall points.
Braden Smith from Purdue, a junior, rounds off the First Team with a commendable performance, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and a whopping 8.7 assists, scoring 44 votes and totaling 268 points. Other notable players include Alabama’s Mark Sears and Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., who have also had significant contributions to their teams this season, with Sears logging 18.7 points per game and Clayton providing 17.5 points.
The rise of St. John's under the helm of Rick Pitino has been one of the season’s captivating stories. At 72 years old, Pitino has not only made a return to college basketball following a turbulent period marked by an FBI investigation during his tenure at Louisville but has also led his team to a No. 2 seed in the upcoming tournament. This marks the sixth college he has successfully guided into the NCAA tournament, cementing his place as a storied figure in college basketball history.
His return to prominence seemed unimaginable just a few years ago when he faced considerable backlash and exclusion from the sport. However, Pitino's journey back began with a successful stint coaching at Iona, leading them to two NCAA tournaments while earning 27 wins last season. St. John's recently celebrated its first Big East title in 25 years, propelling the team to a 30-4 record this season.
RJ Luis, the conference’s player of the year, praised his coach, stating, "Coach P is the mastermind behind all of this," acknowledging Pitino's strategic insights that have revitalized the program. The enthusiasm surrounding St. John's is palpable, particularly after their recent victories, setting a robust foundation heading into the tournament.
Pitino himself has embraced the moment, noting, "I really don’t believe in the word ‘redemption’ because those who judge you really don’t know the facts," during his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. He exuded confidence in his team's capabilities and resilience, stating, "I said it at the press conference, we would be back," reflecting his commitment to restoring the renowned legacy of St. John's basketball.
Meanwhile, Texas men's basketball is also making headlines after receiving a First Four bid in the NCAA tournament. They will face Xavier in Dayton, with the winner likely taking on No. 6 seed Illinois. Texas finished one of the more difficult seasons with a record that doesn’t reflect its potential, finishing 6-12 in the SEC yet still securing their spot due in part to strategic wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M during the conference tournament.
Despite suffering more losses than any other at-large team in the tournament, Texas still showed promise. Their NET rating, sitting at 39, underscores their competitive spirit in a conference that set a record by sending 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament. Fans have expressed a mix of joy and disbelief at their selection, some initially believing their hopes were dashed after UNC’s selection.
As the tournament approaches, the narrative centers on these key teams—St. John's emergence under Pitino and Texas's pursuit of success against the odds. With seasoned veterans like Pitino at the forefront and exciting new talent among the players, there is much to anticipate in the upcoming weeks.
The time is ripe for these stories to unfold on the national stage, with championship hopes sparking excitement among fans nationwide. Will St. John’s reclaim its former glory? Can Texas rise above its challenges? With the tournament looming, the answer lies just ahead.
