March Madness 2025 has arrived, bringing with it the annual excitement of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. Fans across the nation are eagerly following their favorite teams, anticipating thrilling upsets and unforgettable moments. Here’s an overview of the key dates, matchups, and storylines to watch in this year’s tournaments.
Men’s NCAA Tournament: Key Dates and Matchups
The Men’s NCAA Tournament tipped off with the First Four games on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio. The tournament progresses as follows:
- First Round: March 20-21
- Second Round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- National Championship: April 7 at the Alamodome
One of the standout matchups in the First Round is between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Notre Dame, a 3-seed in the Midwest bracket, is looking to assert its dominance, but the Lumberjacks have a history of surprising higher-seeded teams. This game is scheduled for March 21 at 2:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Women’s NCAA Tournament: Top Seeds and Broadcast Information
The Women’s NCAA Tournament also promises intense competition, with the following teams earning the No. 1 seeds:
- Spokane 1 Regional: UCLA
- Birmingham 2 Regional: South Carolina
- Birmingham 3 Regional: Texas
- Spokane 4 Regional: USC
These top seeds reflect the strength of the Big Ten and SEC conferences, which have 12 and 10 teams in the tournament, respectively.
Fans can catch all the women’s tournament action across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS. All games will also stream live on the ESPN App, with ESPN+ providing coverage of the Final Four and National Championship games.
Notable Storylines to Follow
- UConn’s Pursuit of a Three-Peat: The University of Connecticut men’s team is aiming for its third consecutive national title, a feat only achieved by UCLA from 1967 to 1973.
- South Carolina’s Title Defense: The South Carolina women’s team enters the tournament as the defending champions and a No. 1 seed, seeking to repeat their success from last year.
- Potential Upsets: March Madness is synonymous with unexpected outcomes. Teams like Stephen F. Austin have a track record of disrupting brackets, making every game a must-watch.
As the tournaments unfold, fans can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, buzzer-beaters, and the emergence of new college basketball legends. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, March Madness 2025 offers something for everyone.
See Also: March Madness 2025: Bracket Predictions, Schedule & Key Upsets