Published: March 17, 2025
The anticipation for March Madness has reached its peak as the NCAA unveiled the official bracket for the 2025 Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 16. This year’s tournament promises thrilling matchups, potential Cinderella stories, and intense competition among the nation’s top college basketball programs.
Selection Sunday Highlights
On Selection Sunday, the NCAA Selection Committee announced the 68-team field, setting the stage for the tournament set to begin on March 18. The four No. 1 seeds for this year’s tournament are:
- Auburn Tigers (28-5) – South Region
- Duke Blue Devils (31-3) – East Region
- Houston Cougars (30-4) – Midwest Region
- Florida Gators (30-4) – West Region
Auburn secured the No. 1 overall seed following a stellar season, showcasing a balanced offense and a tenacious defense.
Notable Seedings and Matchups
- Alabama Crimson Tide (25-8) earned the No. 2 seed in the East Region and are slated to face the winner of the First Four matchup between Mount St. Mary’s and American University.
- Tennessee Volunteers (27-7), the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, will open their tournament against No. 15 seed Robert Morris.
- Kentucky Wildcats (26-7), holding the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region, are set to play No. 14 seed Lipscomb in the first round.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) made history this year by securing 14 of its 16 teams in the tournament, underscoring the conference’s depth and competitiveness.
First Four Matchups
The tournament kicks off with the First Four games on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio. The matchups are as follows:
- East Region: No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s vs. No. 16 American University
- Midwest Region: No. 11 North Carolina vs. No. 11 San Diego State
- West Region: No. 16 Prairie View A&M vs. No. 16 Norfolk State
- South Region: No. 11 Indiana vs. No. 11 Arizona State
First and Second Round Locations
The first and second rounds, scheduled for March 20-23, will take place across various sites nationwide:
- Denver, CO: Ball Arena
- Providence, RI: Dunkin’ Donuts Center
- Memphis, TN: FedExForum
- Sacramento, CA: Golden 1 Center
- Pittsburgh, PA: PPG Paints Arena
- Orlando, FL: Amway Center
- Milwaukee, WI: Fiserv Forum
- Greensboro, NC: Greensboro Coliseum
Potential Cinderella Teams
Every year, fans look forward to underdog stories that captivate the nation. This year’s potential Cinderella teams include:
- Drake Bulldogs: Led by coach Ben McCollum and standout player Bennett Stirtz, Drake has demonstrated resilience and skill, making them a team to watch.
- Akron Zips: With a strong defensive strategy and a penchant for upsets, Akron could surprise higher-seeded teams.
Key Dates to Remember
- First Four: March 18-19
- 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 in San Antonio,
Viewing Information
Fans can catch all the action across multiple networks:
- First Four: Airing on TruTV
- First and Second Rounds: Broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV
- Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: Coverage split between CBS and TBS
- Final Four and National Championship: Exclusively on CBS
Printable Bracket
For fans eager to track the tournament’s progress, a printable bracket is available on the NCAA’s official website.
Conclusion
With the bracket set and teams ready to compete, the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is poised to deliver unforgettable moments. Whether you’re rooting for a top seed or hoping for an underdog triumph, March Madness offers excitement for every basketball enthusiast.
