As March Madness kicks off, basketball fans across the nation are gearing up for a tournament filled with excitement and unpredictability. On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the NCAA tournament officially starts with 16 games scheduled for the day, offering a full dose of college basketball for enthusiasts.
The first game of the day will feature No. 9 Creighton going head-to-head against No. 8 Louisville at 12:15 p.m. Eastern. This will be followed by a series of highly competitive matchups, including No. 13 High Point versus No. 4 Purdue and No. 14 Montana against No. 3 Wisconsin, kicking off a thrilling day that culminates with No. 14 UNC Wilmington facing No. 3 Texas Tech well into the evening.
The complete schedule for Thursday includes:
- 12:15 p.m.: No. 9 Creighton vs. No. 8 Louisville
- 12:40 p.m.: No. 13 High Point vs. No. 4 Purdue
- 1:30 p.m.: No. 14 Montana vs. No. 3 Wisconsin
- 2:00 p.m.: No. 16 SIU Edwardsville vs. No. 1 Houston
- 2:50 p.m.: Alabama State vs. No. 1 Auburn
- 3:15 p.m.: No. 12 McNeese vs. No. 5 Clemson
- 4:05 p.m.: No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 BYU
- 4:35 p.m.: No. 9 Georgia vs. No. 8 Gonzaga
- 6:50 p.m.: No. 15 Wofford vs. No. 2 Tennessee
- 7:10 p.m.: No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 7 Kansas
- 7:25 p.m.: No. 13 Yale vs. No. 4 Texas A&M
- 7:35 p.m.: No. 11 Drake vs. No. 6 Missouri
- 9:25 p.m.: No. 10 Utah State vs. No. 7 UCLA
- 9:45 p.m.: No. 15 Omaha vs. No. 2 St. John’s
- 10:00 p.m.: No. 12 UC San Diego vs. No. 5 Michigan
- 10:10 p.m.: No. 14 UNC Wilmington vs. No. 3 Texas Tech
March Madness is not just about the games; it’s an event that draws in fans from all walks of life, even those who don’t typically follow college basketball. For instance, the phenomenon of filling out brackets has become a nationwide obsession, with millions of fans participating in various ways—from complex number crunching to simply picking teams based on their mascots.
Amidst the tournament, one of the key storylines revolves around North Carolina’s advancement through the First Four. As the 11-seed, the Tar Heels are poised to face No. 6 Ole Miss, a matchup that comes with significant upset potential. Historically, an 11-seed has prevailed against a No. 6 seed at least once in every NCAA Tournament since 2005. This season, the Tar Heels, despite being regarded as an underdog with only one Quad 1 victory, have shown formidable momentum by going 9-2 over their last 11 games.
While North Carolina and Ole Miss take the spotlight, another matchup to watch is Gonzaga versus Georgia. Gonzaga, a perennial power in NCAA basketball, faces a tough challenge against Georgia, which has shown solid form with a 4-1 record over its last five games. Asa Newell, a standout player for Georgia, has been averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, making him a key player in this critical matchup.
The dynamic between established programs versus up-and-coming challengers is a recurring theme in March Madness. This tournament often defies expectations, producing surprises and memorable moments that contribute to its lore. The Statistical model used by CBS Sports has consistently proven its worth, achieving high accuracy in predictions over recent tournaments, including accurately predicting 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016.
As the brackets fill out and predictions are made, former President Barack Obama continued a tradition by announcing his bracket choices for both the men's and women's tournaments on March 20. Obama’s predictions feature three No. 1 seeds advancing to the Final Four, including Duke for the men and South Carolina for the women. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Obama’s predictions align with the tournament's unfolding drama.
With the excitement of March Madness upon us, it's clear this year's tournament will continue the tradition of unexpected outcomes and thrilling gameplay. As fans tune in for the action, they're reminded that in this unpredictable tournament, anything can happen.
As the first full day of games gets underway, there is an undeniable buzz in the air. Will the Cinderella stories emerge, or will the expected favorites reign supreme? With so much on the line, the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises to deliver unforgettable moments both on and off the court.
