The 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament is officially underway, kicking off an exhilarating showcase of talent and competition across the nation. As March Madness takes center stage, teams are battling it out in the hope of securing the coveted championship title. The tournament spans from March 19 through April 6, culminating in the championship game at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, where fans will eagerly await to see who reigns supreme.
This year's competition began with Selection Sunday on March 16, where the 68-team field was announced, leading to the First Four matches on March 19 and 20. The first round for the women’s tournament kicked off on March 21 and wraps up on March 22, with an array of exciting matchups planned. Viewers can tune in via networks such as ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, or stream through services like Hulu + Live TV, ensuring no one misses a moment of the action.
Notable games in the first round included powerhouse teams like USC and Texas, both No. 1 seeds, opening their tournaments against 16-seeds UNC Greensboro and William & Mary, respectively. On the other hand, No. 2 UConn is also positioning itself for a deep tournament run, fueled by star player Paige Bueckers.
In dramatic results from March 22, No. 10 South Dakota State achieved a notable upset by defeating No. 7 Oklahoma State 74-68, while No. 6 Florida State dominated George Mason with a commanding 93-57 victory. The Seminoles’ strong performance will lead them into the next round against the winner of the No. 3 LSU vs. No. 14 San Diego State game, which concluded on the same night.
The tournament has seen only a handful of lower-seeded teams advance thus far, with South Dakota State, Oregon, Mississippi State, and Indiana now in the mix. Illini's coach Shauna Green celebrated her first NCAA Tournament victory with Illinois after a long journey through the ranks, as Illinois won its first tournament game since 2000 by defeating Creighton 66-57.
Among the players to watch, Ta'Niya Latson of Florida State is currently a standout, expected to reach impressive scoring figures throughout the tournament, while Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore set a high scoring record earlier in the tournament with 34 points against Liberty.
With March Madness in full swing, the anticipation builds as teams eye their paths to the championship. Matchups for the remainder of the first round include iconic contests such as Michigan State facing Harvard and Maryland competing against Norfolk State, setting a thrilling tone for the coming weeks. Fans across the country are bracing for more surprises and upsets as teams strive for glory.
The championship match is slated for April 6, a date basketball enthusiasts have marked on their calendars. For now, the excitement continues as each game's outcome shapes the future of each competing school, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
