Dan Johnson has been an editor, writer, and analyst for DraftKings and DraftKings Network since 2024. He’s previously held editorial posts at The Paris Review, Macmillan Publishers, Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, ASSIGNMENT Magazine, and FantasySixPack. You can find his various editorial work & writing (sports-related and non-) at all of the above.
Michigan State comes into this matchup as a heavy favorite, thanks to their physicality and defensive dominance—and, you know, the whole Tom Izzo of it all. Bryant may be a dangerous 15-seed with their athleticism and perimeter shooting, but the Bulldogs will likely face the strongest interior play of their season yet. Let’s see how […]
March 21, 2025
Right to it, then! Marquette enters this matchup as the slight favorite, but they’ll have to weather the chaos Rick Pitino’s New Mexico Lobos are likely to create. And they’re poised to do so: The Golden Eagles are experts at maximizing possessions, ranking in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive turnover rates, a […]
March 21, 2025
Kentucky rolls into this first-round matchup as the clear favorite, but don’t sleep on Troy—this underdog has the tools to make things interesting. While the Wildcats rely on an explosive offense and solid defensive turnaround, the Trojans are riding high after a strong finish to their season, fueled by toughness and relentless rebounding. Here’s my […]
March 21, 2025
Florida is an all-phases juggernaut, poised to make a deep March run, after winning the SEC. They blend elite defense with offensive barrages. Norfolk State, while dangerous in spurts, faces a massive challenge in trying to slow down the Gators’ relentless depth and versatility. For the final 16-seed-versus-one-seed matchup in the Round of 64, I […]
March 21, 2025
Iowa State enters this matchup as a strong favorite, but the Cyclones’ recent dip in form has raised some questions. With a three-seed to their name, they’re still a well-balanced team that boasts top-30 rankings in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. But Lipscomb might just be the hottest team in the nation right now, […]
March 20, 2025
This matchup between Mississippi State and Baylor is one where the numbers speak volumes, and they suggest it’ll be a battle of efficiency and execution. Mississippi State’s defense has been a problem all season, and the numbers don’t lie. Whether the numbers are the edge, though, is always a question in tournament play—especially in eight-and-nine-seed […]
March 20, 2025
March Madness—as a collective cultural event—can take a deep breath. Cooper Flagg—aka The Maine Event; aka 2025 March Madness’s poster boy—will indeed be in the starting lineup for the Duke Blue Devils in their first-round game against the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers. Flagg suffered an injury in the quarterfinal round of the ACC tournament going […]
March 20, 2025
This one’s a classic David vs. Goliath showdown—perhaps even more so because of how much I believe folks are underestimating the Red Raiders. But don’t let the 14-seed tag fool you—UNC Wilmington is a well-oiled, deep squad that thrives on the glass and in transition. Still, they’re walking into a buzzsaw in Texas Tech, which […]
March 20, 2025
This matchup is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing—if not altogether headline-drawing—first-round clashes. UCLA, with its deep offensive arsenal and ability to score from all angles, faces off against a Utah State team that thrives on disruption and precision shooting. The Aggies’ methodical offense and unpredictable zone defense will test the Bruins’ […]
March 20, 2025
Okay now—here’s the middle-seed matchup that’s going to draw everyone’s bracket eyes on Thursday. Drake’s defense is built to frustrate and Missouri’s explosive offense is primed to blow up, but if the Bulldogs can control the tempo, they’ll force the Tigers to play their game. And that’s exactly what so many upset-hungry spectators hope. For […]
March 20, 2025
What if I told you that a 13-seed could make Purdue’s first-round fate as uncertain as a Braden Smith pass? Enter High Point, a team with a mouthwatering offensive game that can scorch defenses from every angle and catch bigger teams off-guard. The Panthers are built for fireworks, ranked top-25 in offensive efficiency, and their […]
March 19, 2025