The excitement surrounding the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is reaching a fever pitch as teams gear up for fierce competition. The tournament kicks off with the First Round on March 21, 2025, featuring a thrilling lineup of matchups and renowned athletes keen to seize their moment in the spotlight.
Among the most anticipated games is the showdown between No. 4 seed Ohio State and No. 13 seed Montana State, an event that marks the first time these two teams have met in program history. Ohio State has solidified itself as a formidable contender with a 25-6 record, finishing with a 13-5 mark in Big Ten play. Although they faced a setback against top-seeded UCLA in the conference tournament semifinals, the Buckeyes hold a strong position in this tournament, having advanced to the NCAA playoffs 23 times throughout their history.
On the other hand, Montana State enters the tournament with immense pride and accomplishment, having claimed the Big Sky Conference title with a dramatic 58-57 victory over rival Montana. This marked the first time the Bobcats achieved 30 wins in a season, an exciting milestone that showcases their growth and success.
The clash will take place at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 21 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Broadcasting live on ESPN2, the match promises to deliver electrifying basketball action, featuring commentary from Matthew Schumacker and Brooke Weisbrod. Fans can also stream the game via Sling.
Adding to the roster of NCAA games, the Tennessee Lady Vols will play against South Florida, with their matchup broadcast live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on the same day. With a 22-9 season record, the Vols look to capitalize on a much-needed break to reset their footing after a lackluster end to the regular season. They will be up against the USF team that comes in with a robust 23-10 record after winning their AAC Tournament championship.
March Madness is not just limited to specific matchups, as the entire tournament radiates the thrills of fierce competition. This year, the top three ranked programs—UCLA, South Carolina, and UConn—are all poised for strong showings following their respective conference tournament victories. With players like JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers, and Lauren Betts set to take the national stage, the promise of exciting basketball is at an all-time high.
UCLA captured the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, motivated to showcase their prowess after their recent conference success. The Bruins will begin their tournament run against Southern on March 21, looking to cement their status as championship contenders.
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is broadcast across various ESPN platforms, ensuring fans do not miss any of the gripping action. Viewers can find the games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ABC, while streaming options continue to be available on Sling.
This year, the First Four games will kick off the tournament on March 19-20, with the initial round scheduled for March 21-22. Rounding out the schedule, the Sweet 16 matches will be played on March 28-29, followed by the Elite Eight from March 30-31, leading up to the Final Four hosted at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on April 4 before the championship showdown on April 6.
As excitement builds around this year's tournament, basketball fans eagerly anticipate how their favorite teams will perform under the glaring spotlight of March Madness, where anything can happen, and every possession counts.
