March Madness is here again, and excitement fills the air as the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tips off on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with the First Four games. These games are the early rounds and feature the last four automatic qualifiers and four at-large bids battling to clinch their spot among the prestigious 64-team field.
The First Four, which has been part of the tournament since 2011, is significant not only because it paves the way for the rest of the tournament but also due to the history associated with it. Notably, at least one at-large First Four team has won its first game during 12 of the 13 tournaments held since its inception. This year's lineup includes two matchups featuring teams seeded 16th: Saint Francis facing Alabama State at 6:40 PM ET, followed by 11th-seeded North Carolina going head-to-head with San Diego State at 9:10 PM ET, both broadcast on truTV.
Hosting these pivotal games is UD Arena located in Dayton, Ohio, where the excitement truly begins. "The First Four holds intriguing value because of both its importance to the first round and its placement before brackets close," noted analysts from USA TODAY. This round has historically been the launching pad for success stories, with exemplars like VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) achieving Final Four status after fighting through the initial challenges of the First Four.
Looking forward, the full schedule for the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises plenty of action. After the First Four, the Round of 64 kicks off on March 20-21, leading to the Sweet 16 on March 27-28. The hype builds as the Elite Eight rounds follow on March 29-30, culminating eventually with the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on April 5, before the NCAA Championship on April 7.
What makes this tournament even more thrilling is the range of geographic locales involved. From Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, to the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA, and several venues across the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard, fans across the nation will come together to witness history and cheer on their teams. The First/Second rounds will also take place in other famed arenas such as the Rocket Arena (Cleveland, OH) and Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, WI), making for lively environments filled with passionate supporters.
Basketball enthusiasts know well the thrill of rooting for their teams, and March Madness often brings surprises and upsets each year. One of the standout records notes the 2023 Fairleigh Dickinson team, which displayed sheer determination by defeating the heavily-favored number one seed, Purdue, the only 16-seed to ever win against at one seed during the tournament's history.
Games will be aired across CBS and Turner Sports networks, marking the 15th consecutive year of partnership for extensive coverage of the tournament. Fans can expect staggered tip-off times spanning hours of basketball action on both March 20 and 21, offering well-timed opportunities to catch each game live.
For the aspirant bracketologists out there crafting their tournament predictions, this year is poised to be no different. The First Four presents teams which might surprise the world and solidify their names within the annals of NCAA basketball lore. Many speculate about how teams seeded as double digits often defy the odds and shuffle their standing during the tournament, making careful watching of these opening games even more pivotal.
With the stage set and anticipation rising, fans around the nation are urged to tune in and embrace the chaos of March Madness. Expect fevered excitement, thrilling buzzer-beaters, and heart-stopping moments as teams vie for glory under the national spotlight.
So grab your favorite snacks, gather your crew, and prepare to cheer your teams through the frenzy of the tournament. This is not just another couple of weeks of sports; it’s the culmination of hard work, the embodiment of athleticism, and perhaps the most thrilling time of the year for American sports fans.
