March Madness Preview: The Top Religiously Affiliated Schools
(ANALYSIS) The NCAA men’s basketball tournament once again features a strong group of religiously affiliated schools, particularly those with Catholic and Protestant traditions.
These programs bring a mix of national title aspirations and underdog potential into this season’s March Madness, which features the first round starting on Thursday.
The 68-team tournament continues throughout the month with the Final Four in Indianapolis to take place on April 4. The championship game will be played two days later.
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Here’s a breakdown of the teams to watch over the coming days and weeks, starting with the title contenders:
The Gonzaga Bulldogs, pictured here in a team photo, are a Final Four contender this season. (Photo courtesy of Gonzaga)
Gonzaga (30-3, No. 3 seed West)
The Bulldogs enter the tournament as a strong Final Four contender, driven by one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. They average roughly 86 points per game, while shooting over 51% from the field and ranking near the top nationally in effective field-goal percentage. This efficiency makes the Jesuit school particularly dangerous at the tournament, where consistent scoring often separates contenders from pretenders.
At the center of the Zags’ success is Graham Ike, who has emerged as a national standout. The 6-foot-9 All-American forward is averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting efficiently inside, giving Gonzaga a reliable go-to option during high-pressure situations. Defensively, Gonzaga has been better than its reputation. The Bulldogs allow about 66 points per game and hold opponents under 40% shooting.
Ultimately, Gonzaga’s path to the Final Four hinges on whether its efficient offense and defense can hold up against top-tier foes.
St. John’s (28-6, No. 5 seed East)
The Red Storm enters the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the nation, backed once again by dominant recent form and championship pedigree. The Catholic Vincentian school closed the regular season on a 16–1 run, capturing its second straight Big East regular-season title and reinforcing its status as a legitimate deep-tournament contender.
Their momentum carried into March, where St. John’s secured a second straight conference tournament championship, highlighting both consistency and their ability to perform under pressure. Teams that enter the NCAA Tournament on this kind of run often outperform their seed, making the Johnnies a dangerous No. 5.
The key question is whether their offense can generate enough production against elite defenses as the tournament wears on. If they continue their defensive intensity, St. John’s has a realistic path to the Elite Eight — or beyond.
BYU (23-11, No. 6 seed West)
The Latter Day Saint, or Mormon, school enters the tournament aiming to build on last year’s Sweet 16 run, powered by one of the more dynamic offenses in the field. Brigham Young University has consistently leaned on scoring depth and perimeter shooting, spreading the floor and creating matchup problems for defenses that struggle to keep up with their pace.
The Cougars’ roster is built around offensive versatility, with multiple players capable of scoring in double digits. This type of balance makes them difficult to beat. However, BYU’s success will depend largely on whether its offense can remain efficient against elite defenses. At several points this season, inconsistency has limited them from stringing together wins against tougher teams.
If BYU can find rhythm offensively and hold up defensively, they have the firepower to surpass last year’s run and emerge as a legitimate threat to reach the Elite Eight.
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Everyone loves an underdog during March Madness. Here are two potential Cinderella teams:
Saint Mary's junior forward Paulius Murauskas (No. 23) takes a shot. (Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s Athletics)
Saint Mary’s (27-5, No. 7 seed South)
The Christian Brothers school again enters the tournament, built on a strong defense, making them one of the more difficult matchups in the bracket. The Gaels consistently rank among the country’s top programs in scoring defense and tempo control, slowing games down and forcing opponents into inefficient half-court possessions. Offensively, they are led by junior Paulius Murauskas, a 6-foot-8 forward who has averaged 18.8 points this season.
Their physicality and discipline allow them to compete with more talented teams, particularly in grind-it-out games where every possession matters. Saint Mary’s also benefits from experience and continuity, traits that tend to translate well in March when execution becomes critical. At the same time, the Gaels can struggle to generate scoring runs against elite defenses, which is why a Sweet 16 appearance feels like a realistic outcome.
Texas Christian (22-11, No. 9 seed East)
Texas Christian University is also a defense-oriented team capable of pulling off upsets. While not as nationally prominent as higher seeds, TCU’s identity is built on toughness, rebounding, and forcing turnovers — two traits that often translate well in March when bracket-busting teams can show up.
The Horned Frogs also thrive in grind-it-out games, using their physicality to disrupt offensive rhythm. Rebounding is another key strength, giving them second-chance opportunities on offense. A Sweet 16 run also seems like a realistic outcome.
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Then there are teams that are just happy to make the tournament. Here are three of them:
The Villanova men’s basketball team wait to see who they will face at the NCAA Tournament. (Photo courtesy of Villanova Athletics)
Villanova (24-8, No. 8 seed West)
A title contender just a few years ago, the Wildcats return with their trademark poise and structure. Their ability to keep games close could mean they survie multiple rounds. However, that’s a big “if” given that the school — founded by the Order of St. Augustine and counts Pope Leo XIV as a proud alum — clinched its first tournament berth since reaching the Final Four in 2022.
California Baptist (25-8), No. 13 seed East)
The Lancers are in the tournament for the very first time. The Southern Baptist school — featuring a tough defense and a slow offense — will certainly have its hands full at the tournament. An astonishing 60% of the Lancers’ shots come in the paint, meaning they will need to find a way to score baskets or risk getting blown out.
Siena (23-11, No. 16 seed East)
The Franciscan college from New York will make its first tournament appearance in 16 years, securing the program's eighth NCAA Tournament bid when the third-seeded Saints earned a seventh Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. Like the Lancers, the Saints will be looking to do their best on national TV while avoiding a lopsided defeat.
Clemente Lisi is executive editor at Religion Unplugged.