SAN DIEGO, CA — The excitement is palpable as the 2025 Women’s March Madness Tournament kicks off on Wednesday, March 19, marking a thrilling return for the UC San Diego women’s basketball team, which is making its debut in the NCAA tournament. This year, the university will face Southern in a First Four play-in game as part of the prestigious basketball showcase.
UC San Diego, boasting a record of 20-15, will take on Southern with a record of 20-14, at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on March 19, 2025. Set to tip off at 3 p.m. PT, fans can catch the action on ESPNU. The victory in this pivotal game will pave the way to compete against top-seeded UCLA, which is poised to enter the tournament with an impressive record of 30-2.
The UCLA women’s basketball team has a rich legacy but has never claimed an NCAA national championship in women’s basketball. Having won the Big Ten Tournament, they are riding a wave of momentum and are eager to continue their success in this tournament. UCLA is set to play the winner of the UC San Diego vs. Southern game on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. PT, also at Pauley Pavilion.
Meanwhile, San Diego State has secured a spot in the tournament as the 14th seed, where they will face Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The match is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. PT. With a record of 25-9, San Diego State faces tough competition against LSU, who currently holds a record of 28-5.
USC has been a team to watch this season, particularly with star player JuJu Watkins leading the charge. Their journey through the regular season has culminated in them clinching the 2025 Big Ten regular-season title. With a record of 28-3, they enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed in Regional 4. The USC women’s team is poised to make a significant impact in March Madness, marking their third consecutive appearance in the tournament and their first back-to-back NCAA appearance as a No. 1 seed since 1982-1984.
The women of USC are scheduled to play against No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro in the Round of 64, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. This game will be broadcasted live on ABC, further heightening the excitement for local fans.
Not only are the USC Trojans expected to perform well, but the reigning NCAA Women’s Basketball national champions, South Carolina, are also set to make waves in this tournament. South Carolina carries a strong record of 30-3 into their first-round match against Tennessee Tech on March 21, 2025. This matchup will occur in Columbia, South Carolina, starting at 10 AM PT.
Texas, another competitive program, is in a similar position as a No. 1 seed, with a record of 31-3. They will face off against the winner of the High Point vs. William & Mary play-in game, scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 3:45 PM in Austin, Texas.
The 2025 Women’s March Madness Tournament is set to be a spectacle of talent and determination as teams strive for victory and glory. With thrilling matchups lined up, fans can look forward to an action-packed series of games leading to the championship on April 6, 2025.
College basketball enthusiasts keen on following the tournament can catch all games broadcasted across platforms including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPNU. This is a defining moment for many teams, particularly for those like UC San Diego making their historic NCAA Tournament debut.
