Auburn outlasts Michigan State to join all No. 1 seeds in Final Four

In the NCAA men's tournament held in the United States, the year 2025 marked a significant event as the Final Four comprised only number one seeds for the first time since 2008. This rare occurrence took place following a series of riveting Elite Eight matchups that concluded with four top-seeded teams emerging victorious. Auburn Tigers solidified their position in the Final Four by defeating Michigan State Spartans. The tournament, which began with hopes for upsets and close games, surprisingly saw limited drama, with most matches being decided by large margins. The Elite Eight showcased Auburn, Houston, Duke, and Florida as they eliminated their respective opponents to reach the semifinals. Particularly, Auburn's victory was notable since it came against Michigan State, a formidable team. In addition, Florida managed to hold off Texas Tech, while Duke convincingly bested Alabama to ensure their presence among the best teams. The path leading to the historic Final Four was marked by unexpected outcomes, with only the second-seeded team, St. John's, being eliminated prior to the Elite Eight. The lack of major upsets characterized the tournament, as top-seeded teams consistently outperformed their competition. This all-number-one-seed scenario reflected a significant deviation from the chaotic nature often expected during March Madness, with fewer nail-biting games and buzzer-beaters. As anticipation builds towards the semifinals scheduled on April 5 in San Antonio, fans are eager to see the top teams face off. The championship matchup will be preceded by a clash between Auburn and Florida, two SEC rivals, before Houston takes on Duke. The last all-number-one seed Final Four occurred in 2008, which adds to the historical context of this year's tournament and reaffirms the dominance of these elite programs in college basketball.