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Barack Obama Predicts Major Sweet 16 Upset in His 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 1:47 PM ET

With the NCAA Tournament starting Thursday, the excitement is building for the chaos that always comes with March Madness, as everyone fills out their brackets and wonders how long it will take before theirs gets busted.

One of the latest predictions comes from former President Barack Obama, who unveiled his full bracket and even called for a major upset in the Sweet 16.

While Obama’s Final Four consists of Auburn, Florida, Duke, and Tennessee, he has the No. 5 Clemson Tigers reaching the Elite Eight and defeating the No. 1 Houston Cougars in the Midwest Region. This is the only No. 1 seed he doesn’t have making it to his Final Four.

"I’m cutting it close, but here are my #MarchMadness picks. Who do you have winning it all?" Obama posted.

President Obama's bracket!

Duke
Clemson > Houston
VCU upsets BYU #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/17Qb6Q2oUu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2025

Clemson reached the Elite Eight last season and returns two key players, Chase Hunter and forward Ian Schieffelin, who have been the Tigers' best players this season. However, on Thursday, they face an early challenge against McNeese State, a team many view as a potential upset candidate.

The Tigers are currently 7 1/2-point favorites against McNeese, while Houston has opened as massive 28 1/2-point favorite against SIU Edwardsville, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

If Clemson can get through round one and advance to the weekend, they would then face the winner of the Purdue vs. High Point game, before potentially meeting Houston in the Sweet 16—if the Cougars can also make it through their first two games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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