PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – MARCH 22: McNeese State student manager Amir “Aura” Khan walks the court prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavillion on March 22, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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Cole Sullivan

By Cole Sullivan

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There may not have been a bigger viral sensation in the 2025 NCAA Tournament than McNeese’s student manager, Amir “Aura” Khan, who would lead the team out of the tunnel blasting music from a speaker for every game while rocking a full jumpsuit.

He became so popular that he even started receiving NIL sponsorships. While he was expected to follow former coach Will Wade to NC State, a credit transfer issue forced him to return to his role with McNeese. Coincidentally, they’re back in March Madness this year as a No. 12 seed, set to face the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. EST.

Ahead of the showdown, Khan officially revealed his bracket, and he’s sticking with a bold pick: he expects McNeese to win it all. In his championship matchup, he has them facing NC State, led by Coach Wade, who, as seed 11, will play the Texas Longhorns in a First Four game in Dayton on Tuesday just to advance to the Round of 64.

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"This bracket screams Aura," a fan said.

Someone else added, "He has no Aura. He’s a student manager. McNeese LOSES."

Another wrote, "Worst bracket picks I've ever seen."

"This might be the worst bracket ever created!" a fan shared.

One more commented, "His old school vs. new school vs. current school in the title game."

McNeese State student manager Amir "Aura" Khan walks the court prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavillion on March 22, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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No. 12 seeds are famous for upsetting No. 5 seeds in the first round, but a team with that seed has never won the NCAA Tournament. The farthest McNeese has ever advanced is the second round, which they reached last year. This marks just the fifth appearance in program history.

So to call Khan's bracket bold is an understatement. Historically, it has little to no chance of coming to fruition — but in March, anything can happen.

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