Yes, all four No. 1 seeds made it—but that’s not the only reason this Final Four is historic. What truly sets it apart is the level of talent. This might be the strongest Final Four in over a decade (and beyond).
According to our TeamRankings power ratings, all four teams are among the most elite overall squads since 2013.
Here are the numbers:
All four 2025 Final Four teams rank among the eight highest-rated teams since 2013, surpassing last year’s dominant champ–the UConn Huskies.
Duke’s Run Could Be Legendary
Duke’s current rating is 28.1, the highest we’ve tracked since 2013. That alone puts them above the 2021 Gonzaga team that went undefeated until the national championship.
But there’s more. When Cooper Flagg is in the lineup, Duke’s adjusted rating jumps to 30.1. That makes this Duke squad the most dominant team in recent history—on paper.
And the betting markets agree, as the Blue Devils have the best odds to win the NCAA Title:
What About Houston?
In any other year, Houston might be the favorite. They play championship-level defense, have a seasoned coach, and carry all the traits of a title team. Their rating of 25.5 is better than several recent champs.
But the only problem? They’re matched up against Duke on Saturday.
That’s what makes this Final Four so compelling. Any of these teams could win it all. And they wouldn’t just be champions—they’d be among the best in recent history.
Who Will Come Out on Top?
Duke may be the favorite, but this Final Four is wide open. Florida has experience and elite guard play. Auburn has rediscovered its form at the perfect time. And Houston brings a level of physicality that wears teams down.
Four teams. All No. 1 seeds. All loaded with talent. This is the heavyweight battle we’ve been waiting for.
