5 underdog teams poised to make a surprise run to the 2025 Final Four

The 2024-25 college basketball season is just a few weeks away and all Division I teams have stepped up their preparations, hoping to prevent back-to-back champions UConn from winning its third straight title.

The offseason has been busy for all schools, acquiring players from the transfer portal and high school recruitment to strengthen their rosters.

Based on these rosters, various experts have picked their favorites to make the 2025 Final Four, mostly choosing Kansas, Duke, Alabama, UConn, Houston, Iowa State, Baylor, North Carolina, Gonzaga and Purdue. However, there are a few underdogs that could likely pull off surprise Final Four runs.

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5 underdog teams that could make surprise Final Four runs

#1. Michigan Wolverines

Dusty May had created a lot of noise in 2023 by sending the Florida Atlantic Owls to the Final Four. They came in a point short of facing UConn Huskies in the national final, losing to San Diego State 72-71 in the national semifinals.

Two seasons later, May has signed with Michigan to replace Juwan Howard. Immediately, he made some drastic improvements, picking up FAU big man Vladislav Goldin, 2024 Ivy League tournament MVP Danny Wolf, North Texas guard Rubin Jones and Ohio State star Roddy Gayle Jr. from the transfer portal.

May also signed up four-star recruits "Phat Phat" Brooks and Justin Pippen to beef up the squad.

Michigan would figure in the Top 5 of the Big Ten Conference and Wolf's experience in last year's NCAA Tournament would be vital in helping the Wolverines make a surprise run to the Final Four.

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#2. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks will be a dark horse team this season due to the presence of former Kentucky coach John Calipari, who has a chip on his shoulder this season following his exit with the Wildcats.

The Razorbacks acquired five-star guard Boogie Fland and four-star forwards Karter Knox and Billy Richmond from high school and gained a group of prized transfer portal recruits in DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, Johnell Davis and Jonas Aidoo.

Calipari and the Razorbacks would be one of the top teams in the SEC this coming season. They would beat higher-ranked schools in the earlier rounds and eventually secure a Final Four seat in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

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#3. St. John's Red Storm

St. John's has made major changes to its roster during the offseason under the watch of veteran coach Rick Pitino.

The former national champion bench tactician acquired the services of highly-rated guards Deivon Smith and Kadary Richmond and 7-foot-1 center Vincent Iwuchukwu from the transfer portal.

With freshmen Jaiden Glover and Khaman Maker beefing up the roster, the Red Storm are hungry for recognition, as they last made the Final Four in 1985.

The team has the potential and lineup depth to pull off a surprise run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and make the Final Four for the first time in 40 years.

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#4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers is one of the teams capable of sending shockwaves in the 2025 NCAA Tournament due to their highly-rated freshmen recruits led by Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.

Approaching his ninth season as Scarlet Knights coach, Steve Pikiell is bound for a magical run with Harper and Bailey leading the charge.

Rutgers' mettle will be tested in the Big Ten regular season, with perennial contenders Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan State challenging the readiness of their young roster.

The Scarlet Knights' talent would be enough to sneak into the NCAA Tournament and make a Cinderella run with their youth powered core.

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#5. NC State Wolfpack

NC State isn't among the favorites to make it to the Final Four due to the expansion of the ACC to 18 teams and the departure of some of its key players who opted to go pro. However, they still have a chance with beefed-up rosters.

Coach Kevin Keatts made some good pickups from the transfer portal and high school recruitment for the possibility of repeating another magical season.

Transfers Marcus Hill, Mike James, Dontrez Styles and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield could team up with returnees Ben Middlebrooks, Jayden Taylor and Dennis Parker Jr. and freshmen Trey Parker and Paul McNeil for a possible comeback.

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Aside from the five teams mentioned above, which underdog teams are likely to make a Final Four run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Let us know in the comments section below.