The 2025 NCAA basketball tournament officially kicked off on Tuesday evening, March 18, with the First Four games at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling March Madness. This year, the tournament features some unexpected surprises, particularly with marquee teams like North Carolina and Texas battling for their tournament lives.
The First Four consists of four single-elimination games held over two nights, narrowing the field of 68 teams down to 64. Eight teams, including four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and four lowest-seeded at-large teams, compete for the opportunity to advance to the first round of the national championship tournament.
First up on Tuesday night at 6:40 PM ET, the No. 16 seed St. Francis will face off against No. 16 Alabama State. This game has garnered attention as Alabama State returns to the tournament for the first time since 2011, riding high after winning the SWAC tournament and entering the Big Dance with six consecutive victories. Senior guard Hines has been instrumental to their success, averaging 14.7 points per game during this winning streak. The Hornets are particularly strong, with their turnover percentage ranking fifth in the nation, giving hope for their potential to pull off the upset.
At 9:10 PM ET, No. 11 North Carolina will take on No. 11 San Diego State. The Tar Heels, known for their fast-paced game, have shifted gears heading straight for March Madness. With multiple scoring threats but vulnerability on defense, they face tough competition against the disciplined San Diego State, fresh off notable wins against Creighton and Houston earlier this season.
Wednesday night will feature another doubleheader, beginning at 6:40 PM ET with No. 16 Mount Saint Mary’s squaring off against No. 16 American. This matchup is particularly significant for American, who is making its fourth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Head coach Duane Simpkins has led the Eagles effectively, and their disciplined play may aid them against the taller Mountaineers.
The final game of the First Four will showcase No. 11 Xavier against No. 11 Texas at 9:10 PM ET. Xavier enters March Madness with strong momentum stemming from its final games of the regular season and holds the advantage of being one of the most experienced teams. Texas, meanwhile, brings its own rich talent history and aims to prove their doubters wrong by capitalizing on their scoring prowess.
Fans eager to catch the action can watch the games streamed on truTV, as well as through cable platforms like CBS, TBS, and TNT. The full schedule for the First Four is as follows:
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025:
- 6:40 PM: No. 16 St. Francis vs. No. 16 Alabama State
- 9:10 PM: No. 11 North Carolina vs. No. 11 San Diego State
- Wednesday, March 19, 2025:
- 6:40 PM: No. 16 Mount Saint Mary’s vs. No. 16 American
- 9:10 PM: No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 Xavier
Betting excitement also surrounds the First Four games, with several sportsbooks offering odds and spreads. On the Tuesday games, Alabama State is favored by 3.5 points against St. Francis, and North Carolina is similarly favored by 4 points against San Diego State. By Wednesday, American is slightly favored over Mount Saint Mary’s and Xavier edges out Texas by 2.5 points according to BetMGM.com.
This year's First Four serves not only as the traditional kickoff for the NCAA Tournament but also as thrilling opportunities for teams to prove themselves on the national stage. With underdog narratives, intense games, and potential upsets brewing, basketball fans find themselves excited for the 2025 March Madness festivities.
March Madness will continue with the first round commencing on Thursday, March 20, setting the tone for the remaining tournament, running through April 7, 2025, culminating with the national championship game. All games—no matter the seeds—are part of the thrilling allure of this time-honored tradition, and break records as fans become engaged with the unpredictable nature of college basketball.
