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Coach K Reveals His 'Sleeper' Pick For The 2025 NCAA Tournament

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 6:40 PM ET

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to get underway on Thursday afternoon.

The bracket was finalized this past Sunday evening and college basketball fans are ready to see if they get their picks right.

Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston are the No. 1 seeds entering the tournament but that doesn't mean any of them will win it all. There's a reason why fans call it March Madness since so many upsets occur each year.

Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who won five national titles during his tenure, thinks Maryland could be a big sleeper team over the next few weeks.

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 20: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the second round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

"I think a sleeper in the region is Maryland," Krzyzewski said, via Athlon Sports. "You know, they're in the Big Ten, but I don't think they get the exposure they would have in the ACC. They have a hell of a coach."

Maryland had a great regular season, finishing with a 25-8 record before losing to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Kevin Willard has done a tremendous job with this squad and helped the Terps get a No. 4 seed in this year's tournament.

The Terps will start their NCAA Tournament run on Friday against the Grand Canyon Antelopes. The Antelopes are a No. 13 seed after winning the WAC Tournament.

If the Terps win their first-round game, they could play the Memphis Tigers in the second round with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line.

The final two First Four games will take place in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday night before the first round of the tournament starts on Thursday. The Terps' game against the Antelopes will start at 4:35 p.m. ET on Friday.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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