March Madness is upon us as 64 men's college basketball teams from across the United States embark on an exhilarating journey to secure the coveted title of the 2025 National Champion. This year's tournament promises thrilling moments and fierce competitions, set to unfold over six rounds, starting with some remarkable matchups.
Among the highlights, Auburn, the top-seeded team with a record of 28-5, is slated to face Alabama State, a No. 16 seed, in what is sure to be a captivating matchup. Auburn comes into the tournament hoping to advance further than its recent performance in the SEC tournament, where they faced disappointment against Tennessee. Meanwhile, Alabama State is riding a wave of momentum, having secured seven consecutive wins, including their first NCAA Tournament victory, defeating St. Francis in one of the First Four games on March 18.
The Auburn vs. Alabama State clash will air on CBS at 2:50 p.m. ET from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. With expectations riding high, Auburn holds a perfect all-time record against Alabama State, boasting 6 wins against them.
Additionally, fans are looking forward to the thrilling contest between Kansas, seeded No. 7, and Arkansas, seeded No. 10. Both teams have storied histories in NCAA Tournament play, with Kansas having won four national championships, the latest in 2022. Arkansas, now under the leadership of John Calipari, who stepped in after a long stint at Kentucky, has a solid 20-13 record leading into this game. The matchup is set for March 20 at 7:10 p.m. ET, also to be broadcast on CBS.
This year marks an important return for UCLA, a historic program that missed the tournament last year. Now a No. 7 seed with a record of 22-10, they will battle No. 10 seed Utah State, which boasts an outstanding 26-7 record and an impressive 80.9 points per game average. The game is set to begin at 9:25 p.m. ET, airing on TNT. UCLA's coach, Mick Cronin, is returning for his fourth tournament with the team, continuing what has become a successful legacy.
Missouri, seeded No. 6, will see action against No. 11 seed Drake. With a record of 22-11, Missouri hopes to use its strong conference play momentum, even after a tough SEC tournament loss to Florida. Drake enters the contest with an inspiring 30-3 record after dominating the OVC regular season and tournament. Their game kicks off at 7:35 p.m. ET, airing on truTV.
As the excitement mounts, St. John's emerges as a standout this season, finishing with a 30-4 record and earning themselves a No. 2 seed. They will go against Omaha, a No. 15 seed in their first NCAA Tournament appearance after transitioning from Division II. This game is set for 9:45 p.m. ET on CBS. Fans will be eager to see if Omaha can pull off an upset against the seasoned program of St. John's, led by the prominent Coach Rick Pitino.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is laden with big stakes, upsets, and storylines that engage fans from all over the country. With the Final Four scheduled for April 5 and 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, teams are vying for not only glory but also a chance to make history.
Other notable games in the first round include Gonzaga (No. 8 seed) against Georgia (No. 9 seed) at 4:35 p.m. ET. Gonzaga, with a strong record of 25-8, is looking solid after winning the WCC Championship. In contrast, Georgia will be making its first appearance in the tournament since 2015, despite having a solid 20-12 record.
The 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament is filled with the promise of surprises, accolades, and the emergence of new basketball heroes, providing a stage for dreams to come true.
