The women’s NCAA March Madness officially begins on March 19, 2025, with the highly anticipated First Four games that will set the stage for an exciting tournament. Two matchups will kick off the festivities: No. 11 seeds Iowa State and Princeton will clash at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana at 7 p.m. ET, followed by No. 16 seeds UC San Diego and Southern at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET.
With a 22-11 record, the Iowa State Cyclones aim to showcase their skills, despite having faced challenges throughout the season. They are powered by standout center Audi Crooks, who currently ranks eighth amongst all Division I players in scoring with an impressive average of 23.2 points per game. Iowa State enters this matchup as one of the more formidable No. 11 seeds.
On the other hand, Princeton, which earned its place in the tournament after losing in the semifinals of its conference tournament, looks to pull off an upset in their match against the Cyclones.
According to the USA TODAY Network, predictions favor Iowa State, projecting a 72-64 victory over Princeton. Other predictions vary, but the consensus leans towards an Iowa State win, with the Des Moines Register suggesting an even broader margin of victory at 84-65.
In the second game of the evening, UC San Diego will go head-to-head against Southern, with predictions from the USA TODAY Network giving the edge to UC San Diego at 59-56. However, San Diego Sports 760 predicts a nail-biter, forecasting a Southern triumph with a narrow 60-58 score.
Those looking to catch the action live can tune in to ESPNU, which will air both games scheduled for tonight. Viewers can also access streaming options via the ESPN App, ESPN+, and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
The stakes are high, as the winner of Iowa State versus Princeton will advance to play against No. 6 seed Michigan on March 21, while the victorious team from UC San Diego vs. Southern will face off against UCLA, the tournament's top seed, in a later round.
The women's NCAA tournament has seen recent changes, including the addition of play-in games since 2022, expanding the tournament from 64 to 68 teams. This adjustment aims to increase excitement and inclusivity within the event, similar to the men's NCAA tournament modification in 2011.
The introduction of the First Four games allows lower-seeded teams a chance to secure entry into the main tournament, giving underdogs a fighting chance and intensifying the competitive edge.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these first matchups to see which teams will seize their opportunity and make a splash in this year’s March Madness.
With anticipation in the air, the 2025 Women’s NCAA March Madness is poised to deliver thrilling basketball action, showcasing the talent and determination of women’s college basketball teams—all vying for the national championship title.
