The NCAA men’s college basketball tournament has officially kicked off, and March Madness 2025 is set to deliver thrilling action as 68 teams vie for college basketball's prestigious title. With the First Four games out of the way, the field has been trimmed to 64 teams, and it’s time for the real excitement to begin.
March 20, 2025, marks the start of the first round, featuring an exhilarating lineup of 16 matchups throughout the day. Viewers can catch all the action live on several major networks, including CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. For many fans, this is the most awaited time of the year, filled with buzzer-beaters, unexpected upsets, and thrilling Cinderella stories. With games scheduled back-to-back, excitement is palpable across the country.
The day kicks off at 12:15 PM ET, with the first game featuring No. 9 seed Creighton set to face off against No. 8 seed Louisville on CBS. Closely following is a game between No. 4 Purdue and No. 13 High Point at 12:40 PM on TruTV. Purdue is expected to dominate this game, coming in as a favorite with a strong team performance during the season.
As the day progresses, the matchups will continue to unfold. At 1:30 PM, No. 3 Wisconsin will take on No. 14 Montana, a game where the Badgers are expected to have the upper hand. Fans will then witness No. 1 Houston go against No. 16 SIU Edwardsville at 2 PM on TBS, while No. 1 Auburn faces No. 16 Alabama State at 2:50 PM on CBS.
There’s a buzz surrounding Auburn as they enter as the overall top seed in the tournament. Under the coaching of Bruce Pearl, the team has shown impressive performance throughout the season, despite losing three of their last four games ahead of the tournament. They are heavily favored against Alabama State in this opening game.
At 3:15 PM, No. 5 Clemson will face No. 12 McNeese on TruTV, followed by No. 6 BYU taking on No. 11 VCU at 4:05 PM on TNT. The game between No. 9 Georgia and No. 8 Gonzaga at 4:35 PM on TBS is also expected to thrill spectators, promising a tightly contested battle.
Later in the evening matchup, No. 2 Tennessee is set to battle No. 15 Wofford at 6:50 PM on TNT, while No. 7 Kansas will take on No. 10 Arkansas at 7:10 PM on CBS. Each of these games brings a unique narrative, with Kansas looking to navigate through a challenging season.
The night will conclude with matchups including No. 12 UC San Diego versus No. 5 Michigan at 10 PM on TBS and No. 3 Texas Tech against No. 14 UNC Wilmington at 10:10 PM on TruTV. Fans will be eager to see if and how the underdogs can pull off any surprises against stronger opponents.
Among the thrilling narratives leading into this year's tournament are the stories of key players like Wisconsin’s John Tonje, who is having a standout season, averaging 19.2 points per game. After a challenging Big Ten tournament title game, Tonje is anticipated to rebound fiercely in this first round against Montana.
Beyond the excitement on the court, fans are also keen to know how to watch the tournament. As in past years, March Madness will be broadcast across various platforms like Paramount+, where subscribers can stream CBS games, while TBS, TNT, and truTV will be available through the Max streaming service.
For those seeking to watch without cable, multiple streaming platforms offer free trials, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV, giving fans the opportunity to catch all the action without shelling out extra cash. Paramount+ is also providing a free trial period, allowing access to games airing on CBS.
This year’s tournament schedule encompasses various rounds, including the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, leading up to the Final Four being held on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The national championship game is set for April 7, promising an electrifying finale to this month-long showcase of collegiate basketball.
As the clock ticks down to the first tip-off, the anticipation builds not only for players but for fans who have filled out their brackets and are ready to cheer for their teams. With the unpredictability that March Madness always brings, one thing is for certain: the journey to find this year’s national champion starts now!
