The riveting action took viewers by storm, too. Monday's national championship averaged 18.1 million viewers on CBS, up 22% year-over-year and the most-watched title game since 2019, when Virginia beat Texas Tech in overtime. During a hectic finish between the Gators and Cougars, viewership peaked at 21.1 million.

Three weeks ago, 24 staffers submitted their predictions for The Athletic’s consensus men’s NCAA Tournament bracket. Eleven voters picked Duke to win the national championship, followed by six for Florida and five for Houston.

Memphis basketball and football made history this season. For the first time ever, both teams ended the season ranked in the Top 25 of the AP Poll. Football finished ranked No. 24, while men's basketball finished ranked No.

Florida is expected to enter the 2025-26 campaign as the second-best team in the nation according to The Athletic's way-too-early rankings.

The greatest Final Four ever? Maybe. Here's our round-by-round grades for another edition of March Madness full of drama.

The Lady Vols are projected to be a top-10 team in early rankings for 2025-26 in Kim Caldwell's second season leading Tennessee.

Here's a look at where USA TODAY Sports ranks the Florida Gators' three NCAA Tournament championship wins during this century.

Madness just does not miss. In contrast, college football supplies maybe the best regular season in all of sports, but its playoff often falls flat.