Reasons behind Brendan Marks’ selection of Duke over another 1-seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament brackets The state of Florida.

When it comes to predicting the future in college basketball, very few things are as exciting as the bracketology analysis in the run-up to March Madness. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, basketball experts, enthusiasts, and analysts across the country engage in intense discussions about which teams have the best chance to make a deep run and claim the national title. One analyst, Brendan Marks, made headlines when he selected Duke over another 1-seed, a team from the state of Florida, in his latest bracket projections for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Marks’ decision to place Duke ahead of Florida, despite both teams being among the top-ranked programs in the country, raised eyebrows, but it also sparked fascinating debates about the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. In this in-depth article, we will explore the reasons behind Marks’ choice, focusing on several key factors: Duke’s historical dominance, its current roster strength, coaching leadership, and other aspects that set the Blue Devils apart from their competitors.

Duke’s History of Success and National Championship Pedigree

When it comes to college basketball, few programs have the sustained success of the Duke Blue Devils. The program, under the legendary coaching of Mike Krzyzewski, has established itself as one of the most successful and decorated teams in NCAA history. Duke’s rich tradition of excellence in the tournament includes five national championships, 16 Final Four appearances, and 25 ACC Tournament titles. With such a winning history, Duke remains a team that commands respect, regardless of the specific roster it fields in a given year.

Brendan Marks has long been a follower of the college basketball scene and knows that Duke’s presence in the NCAA Tournament is never to be taken lightly. When it comes to predicting which teams will make the deepest runs in the tournament, it’s impossible to overlook Duke’s culture of success, which has endured through coaching transitions and roster changes. In 2025, the Blue Devils, now under head coach Jon Scheyer, look poised to carry on that legacy of dominance. Scheyer’s ability to recruit top-tier talent and implement a system that maximizes the potential of his players makes Duke a serious contender every year.

Marks, recognizing Duke’s pedigree, likely gave the Blue Devils the edge over Florida due to their consistent ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and their track record of success on the national stage. While Florida’s program has seen great success as well, Duke’s deep-rooted legacy in the tournament stands as a powerful argument for their selection.

Coaching Leadership: Jon Scheyer vs. Florida’s Coach

When analyzing the strengths of Duke and Florida in 2025, the coaching matchup is a critical factor in determining the teams’ respective chances. Jon Scheyer, who took over as Duke’s head coach after the retirement of Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has proven that he can handle the pressure of leading one of the most storied programs in the country. Scheyer’s tenure has been marked by strong recruiting classes, a clear vision for the future of the program, and impressive results on the court.

Scheyer’s leadership is invaluable in the NCAA Tournament, where experience, strategy, and game management play pivotal roles. Scheyer has already established himself as a coach who can bring his players together and maximize their potential. His emphasis on tough defense, high-paced offense, and player development could be crucial in guiding Duke to another deep run in the tournament, particularly in high-stakes matchups where coaching decisions often make the difference.

In contrast, Florida’s coaching situation is more volatile. While the Gators have had success in recent years, they have not yet reached the level of consistency that Duke has. Florida’s coach, who took over the program recently, has faced some challenges in getting his team into championship contention, and that lack of experience in the biggest moments of the NCAA Tournament is a concern for many analysts.

Marks may have made his decision to go with Duke, in part, because of Scheyer’s leadership and track record of developing his players into NCAA Tournament-caliber athletes. With a proven coach at the helm, the Blue Devils are poised to take on any opponent, and their chances of a deep run are significantly enhanced by Scheyer’s ability to adapt to different styles of play and make in-game adjustments.

Duke’s Roster Strength: Top Talent in the 2025 NCAA Tournament

Another factor that likely influenced Brendan Marks’ decision to choose Duke over Florida is the talent on the Blue Devils’ roster. As of 2025, Duke boasts a roster filled with elite recruits who are poised to shine on the national stage. Players like Cooper Flagg, one of the top high school prospects in the country, bring both versatility and excitement to the team. Flagg, a highly skilled forward, can contribute on both ends of the floor and has the potential to be a major force in the NCAA Tournament. Alongside Flagg, Duke’s roster features several other future NBA talents, as the program continues to recruit some of the top high school athletes year after year.

Duke’s combination of elite offensive firepower and solid defensive schemes gives them an edge over most teams in the tournament. While Florida also boasts talented players, their roster has not yet shown the same depth and star power as Duke’s. Florida’s best players are certainly formidable, but they may not have the same caliber of talent as Duke’s roster, which is stocked with multiple potential lottery picks.

Additionally, Duke’s balanced style of play, which integrates both offensive explosion and defensive grit, positions them to succeed in a variety of matchups. In the chaos of March Madness, the ability to adapt to different styles of play—whether it’s facing a high-scoring team or a defense-first squad—can be a game-changer. This versatility, paired with the individual talents on Duke’s roster, makes the Blue Devils an incredibly dangerous team in the tournament.

Florida’s Strengths and Weaknesses

While Duke certainly has its advantages, Florida’s strengths should not be overlooked. The Gators are a perennial contender in the SEC, and their program has consistently produced NBA talent. In 2025, Florida enters the NCAA Tournament with a strong defensive identity and a lineup of players who can dominate in transition and on the glass. Florida’s head coach has built a team that thrives on physicality, teamwork, and relentless defense—qualities that are often invaluable in the NCAA Tournament, where games are often won on the defensive end.

However, Florida’s relative lack of star power and scoring consistency could hold them back in the high-pressure environment of March Madness. While the Gators have solid players, they lack the same level of individual brilliance and offensive firepower that Duke brings to the table. In games where scoring is at a premium, Florida may struggle to match the offensive output that other teams—especially those with NBA-caliber talent—can produce. Additionally, Florida’s relatively inexperienced coaching staff, compared to Duke’s seasoned leadership, could prove to be a disadvantage when it comes to managing the complexities of a tournament run.

While Florida’s defense and physicality could help them advance deep into the tournament, their lack of offensive consistency and reliance on one or two star players may prevent them from outlasting top-tier teams like Duke, which can rely on a broader talent pool and multiple scoring options.

Bracketology and the Path to the Final Four

When it comes to predicting the final outcome of the NCAA Tournament, the path to the Final Four is just as important as the talent and coaching a team possesses. The bracket setup, matchups, and team chemistry can all play a significant role in determining which teams ultimately advance deep into the tournament. For Brendan Marks, the decision to select Duke over Florida likely came down to Duke’s ability to excel against a variety of opponents, while Florida’s path to the Final Four could be more challenging due to their lack of depth and offensive options.

In recent years, teams with a balance of elite talent, depth, and leadership have had the best chances of reaching the Final Four and winning the national championship. Duke’s ability to handle the pressure, its star power, and its proven coaching make it a safer bet than Florida when it comes to advancing through the bracket and making a deep run in the tournament.