The 2025 NCAA Tournament is officially set to tip off, and basketball fans are gearing up for the action. Starting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with the First Four games held at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, the tournament will feature 68 teams vying for the coveted title of national champion.
This year’s March Madness promises excitement, as the tournament kicks off with four key First Four matchups. The games will be broadcast across prominent networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, ensuring fans can catch every thrilling moment. The First Four lineup features No. 16 seed St. Francis facing No. 16 seed Alabama State at 6:40 p.m., followed by No. 11 seed North Carolina taking on No. 11 seed San Diego State at 9:10 p.m., both on truTV. The following day, Wednesday, March 19, continues with additional First Four games: No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s vs. No. 16 American at 6:40 p.m., and No. 11 Xavier against No. 11 Texas at 9:10 p.m., again both airing on truTV.
After the First Four, the tournament will proceed to the first round on March 20 and 21, with exciting matchups scheduled across multiple arenas. All times listed are Eastern. On Thursday, March 20, the first round opens with No. 9 Creighton vs. No. 8 Louisville at 12:15 p.m. on CBS, and continues with various matchups throughout the day, culminating with No. 12 UC San Diego facing off against No. 5 Michigan at 10:00 p.m. on TBS. The excitement continues on Friday, March 21, with another packed schedule including No. 9 Baylor squaring off against No. 8 Mississippi State at 12:15 p.m., and concluding with No. 15 Bryant vs. No. 2 Michigan State at 10:00 p.m. on TBS.
For viewers wanting to catch every dribble and dunk, all 67 games are set to be televised, providing fans with multiple ways to follow their favorite teams and players. The networks lead the coverage with CBS on top, broadcasting 24 games including the Final Four, Elite 8, and Sweet 16. Meanwhile, TBS will handle 18 games, truTV will simulcast 21 matchups, and TNT rounds out the coverage with 12 games. It's sure to be a media-rich experience with the NCAA Tournament also accessible via the March Madness Live app, providing added flexibility for fans who prefer to watch on the go.
Commentary will shine this tournament season, with longtime announcer Ian Eagle returning as the lead play-by-play voice for the second consecutive year, alongside Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson as part of the Final Four crew. This year also welcomes former Michigan standout Jalen Rose as he steps up as the newest analyst for first- and second-round action.
The tournament concludes with the Final Four on April 5, 2025, and the national championship set for April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. With the excitement building around March Madness, fans are encouraged to track the schedules and make plans to partake fully.
March Madness isn’t just about the games; it’s about the experience, and with CBS Sports ensuring comprehensive coverage, this year promises to bring the action right to your screen, no matter the venue. So gear up, set your reminders, and get ready for the intense competition and festive atmosphere each game day brings!