The Last Four In and the First Four Out: A Look at the NCAA Tournament Selections for 2025

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, often referred to as “March Madness,” is one of the most exhilarating events in American sports. The tournament’s field of 68 teams sparks intense debates and excitement every year. One of the most contentious discussions revolves around the selection process, particularly the “Last Four In” and the “First Four Out.” These teams are the borderline selections, those whose inclusion or exclusion can change the tone of the tournament and leave fans questioning the decisions. In 2025, the final bracket was a reflection of both incredible victories and heartbreaking near-misses. Let’s take a look at the Last Four In and First Four Out, examining their paths to the tournament and why they found themselves in these precarious positions.

The Last Four In

The “Last Four In” are the teams that managed to secure one of the final at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament. These teams often face scrutiny, as their inclusion is based on their overall body of work, including strength of schedule, quality of wins, and other key metrics like their performance in the conference tournament. In 2025, the teams that barely made the cut were North Carolina, Texas, Xavier, and San Diego State.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

• Record: 19-14 (10-10 in the ACC)

North Carolina is a basketball powerhouse, and its inclusion in the tournament was expected, but not guaranteed. The Tar Heels had a rocky season, with an overall record of 19-14 and a .500 mark in the ACC. Despite their struggles, including a poor 1-12 record in Quad 1 games, North Carolina’s historical success and the strength of their conference helped them edge out other bubble teams. Additionally, their fan base and brand recognition likely played a significant role in their inclusion. While they did not boast a particularly strong resume compared to other bubble teams, their status as a blue-blood program helped push them into the tournament field.

2. Texas Longhorns

• Record: 20-13 (9-9 in the Big 12)

Texas entered the tournament with a decent 20-13 record, but their play throughout the season was uneven. The Longhorns struggled in the tough Big 12, finishing with a .500 record in the conference. However, their ability to secure key victories against ranked teams helped bolster their résumé. Despite their inconsistency, the selection committee took into account their strong performances in big games and their overall potential. Texas was certainly on the bubble, but their inclusion was supported by their historical strength and the tough competition they faced in the Big 12.

3. Xavier Musketeers

• Record: 21-12 (11-7 in the Big East)

Xavier had a solid regular season, finishing 21-12 overall and 11-7 in the Big East. However, their performance in the conference tournament left much to be desired. They were knocked out early, which left some question marks about their tournament viability. Despite these concerns, Xavier’s overall body of work, which included key victories over top-tier teams, earned them the nod for an at-large bid. While some might have expected other teams to take their spot, the Musketeers’ well-rounded season secured their place in the bracket.

4. San Diego State Aztecs

• Record: 22-11 (12-6 in the Mountain West)

San Diego State’s inclusion in the tournament was a bit of a surprise, particularly after a disappointing loss in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game. With a record of 22-11 and a strong 12-6 conference performance, the Aztecs had done enough to be considered for an at-large bid. While they didn’t have the national cachet of some other teams, their consistent play throughout the season helped them secure a spot. Their inclusion highlights the importance of having a solid conference performance, especially in a competitive league like the Mountain West.

The First Four Out

On the flip side, the “First Four Out” are the teams that came oh-so-close to securing a bid but were ultimately left on the outside looking in. These teams often face heartbreak as their resumes are evaluated and, despite some solid performances, they just couldn’t do enough to overcome their deficits. In 2025, the First Four Out were West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio State, and Boise State.

1. West Virginia Mountaineers

• Record: 19-13 (10-10 in the Big 12)

West Virginia found themselves on the wrong side of the cutline, and much of their exclusion can be attributed to their early exit from the Big 12 Tournament. While they had some impressive victories throughout the season, including wins over teams like Gonzaga and Kansas, their 51st-place NET ranking and lack of a strong finish to the season ultimately hurt their chances. With a 19-13 record and 10-10 in a tough Big 12, the Mountaineers’ bid to the tournament was on the line, but they couldn’t quite make it past the bubble.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

• Record: 19-13 (10-10 in the Big Ten)

Indiana had a similar story to West Virginia: a solid regular season but not enough to earn an at-large bid. Despite a record of 19-13 and four wins over top-tier opponents, their 4-13 record in Quad 1 games was a significant flaw on their resume. In addition, their struggles to finish strong in the Big Ten, one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, contributed to their exclusion. Although their inclusion would not have been a huge surprise, the committee ultimately decided that their resume wasn’t strong enough to secure a spot in the tournament.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

• Record: 17-15 (9-11 in the Big Ten)

Ohio State faced a particularly difficult road to the tournament in 2025. The Buckeyes finished with a 17-15 record and a disappointing 9-11 mark in the Big Ten. Their struggles in Quad 1 games were a major factor in their exclusion. Despite six wins in Quad 1, their overall inconsistency and inability to perform in key matchups were too much to overcome. Their exclusion highlights the difficulty of securing an NCAA Tournament berth when your record includes more losses than victories against top-tier teams.

4. Boise State Broncos

• Record: 24-10 (14-6 in the Mountain West)

Boise State’s case is a little different. With a solid record of 24-10 and 14-6 in the Mountain West, they seemed like a strong candidate for an at-large bid. However, their loss in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game to Colorado State ultimately left them on the outside looking in. With three Quad 1 victories and solid performances throughout the season, the Broncos did everything they could, but their failure to secure the conference title was the difference. They were left as one of the First Four Out, having just missed the cut.

The selections and exclusions of the 2025 NCAA Tournament were a reminder of just how competitive and unpredictable the selection process can be. While the Last Four In teams like North Carolina, Texas, Xavier, and San Diego State celebrated their inclusion, teams like West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio State, and Boise State were left wondering what more they could have done. The narrow margins that separate tournament inclusion from exclusion are part of what makes March Madness so thrilling—and so agonizing—for fans and teams alike.

For those on the bubble, every game counts, and every win—or loss—can have a massive impact on their chances. As the tournament unfolds, these stories will serve as reminders of the drama and unpredictability that define one of the most exciting sporting events in the world.