Perhaps the biggest story of the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament was the lack of a true Cinderella story. It was as chalky a tournament as you’ll find, and even the one, big seed-line upset (Colorado State over Memphis) didn’t turn into a deep run thanks to Derik Queen’s round of 32 heroics. That produced plenty of takes about the future role of Cinderella in the tournament. Has NIL and the transfer portal made it impossible for a mid-major run like the ones we’ve become accustomed to seeing? While it’s certainly possible that changes to the sport’s landscape may cut down on Cinderella runs long term, it’s too early to write off big upsets as a thing of the past. After all, we had more massive upsets in the previous few years before 2025 than almost any other stretch in the history of the event.
So who are the best candidates to wear this year’s magic slipper? Sports Illustrated is here to help you find them, and maybe help you win your bracket pool in the process. Here’s a look at the top 10 candidates to blow up your bracket:
