Men March Madness Schedule: Know All The Fixtures With Dates!

The air crackles with anticipation, the buzz of brackets and buzzer-beaters permeating every conversation. Men March Madness is upon us, that glorious stretch of basketball brilliance where underdogs rise, giants fall, and legends are forged. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has officially tipped off, and already the drama is unfolding. From the tense battles of the First Four to the heart-stopping clashes of the First Round, the path to the Final Four is paved with unpredictable twists and turns.

This year’s tournament promises to be a spectacle, with a mix of seasoned powerhouses and hungry contenders vying for the coveted national championship. As the action shifts from the opening rounds to the regional showdowns, fans across the nation are glued to their screens, witnessing the unfolding narrative of this iconic event. This blog serves as your comprehensive guide, providing all the essential details on the schedule, key matchups, and how to follow every thrilling moment of March Madness 2025.

Tournament Overview: The Grand Stage of College Basketball

• Selection Sunday: Setting the Stage for the Madness
  • Selection Sunday, held on March 16th, is the pivotal moment that ignites the tournament. This event unveils the meticulously crafted bracket, revealing the seedings and matchups that will define the next few weeks. The selection committee’s decisions, often debated and scrutinized, set the tone for the entire tournament, creating a narrative of rivalries and potential upsets.
• First Four: The Play-In Prelude to the Main Event
  • The First Four games, held on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio, serve as a crucial prelude to the official First Round. These play-in games offer a second chance for eight teams on the bubble, providing a thrilling spectacle as they battle for the final four spots in the main bracket. The intensity and desperation of these games often produce some of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
• First Round (Round of 64): The Beginning of the Gauntlet
  • The First Round played on March 20-21, marks the official start of the tournament’s main bracket. Games are held across various locations, each venue buzzing with the electricity of March Madness. This round is where the seeds are tested, and upsets become the norm, showcasing the unpredictable nature of college basketball.
• Second Round (Round of 32): Narrowing the Field
  • The Second Round, on March 22-23, sees the remaining 32 teams battle for a spot in the Sweet 16. The stakes are higher, the competition fiercer, as teams fight to keep their championship dreams alive. This round often features nail-biting finishes and dramatic comebacks.
• Sweet 16: Regional Showdowns
  • The Sweet 16, held on March 27-28, brings together the top teams from each region. These matchups are highly anticipated, as they pit the best against the best, creating intense regional rivalries and showcasing the elite talent of college basketball.
• Elite Eight: The Final Push to the Final Four
  • The Elite Eight, on March 29-30, determines the four teams that will advance to the Final Four. These games are the culmination of regional dominance, where only the strongest teams survive. The pressure is immense, and the rewards are monumental.
• Final Four: The Pinnacle of College Basketball
  • The Final Four, played on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, represents the pinnacle of college basketball. Four teams, each having navigated a grueling path, compete for a chance to play for the national championship. The atmosphere is electric, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
• NCAA Championship Game: Crowning the National Champion
  • The championship game, held on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, is the ultimate showdown. Two teams, the last standing, battle for the national title. This single game determines the champion, creating a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
• Tournament Locations: A Nationwide Event
  • The tournament spans the nation, with various cities hosting the First and Second Rounds. Regional games are held in Newark, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Indianapolis, bringing the excitement of March Madness to fans across the country.

First-Round Highlights: Key Matchups and Scores

• Thursday, March 20:
  • (9) Creighton 89, (8) Louisville 75  
  • (4) Purdue 75, (13) High Point 63
  • (3) Wisconsin vs. (14) Montana  
  • (1) Houston vs. (16) SIU Edwardsville
  • (1) Auburn vs. (16) Alabama State  
  • (5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeese
  • (6) BYU vs. (11) VCU  
  • (8) Gonzaga vs. (9) Georgia
  • (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Wofford
  • (7) Kansas vs. (10) Arkansas  
  • (4) Texas A&M vs. (13) Yale  
  • (6) Missouri vs. (11) Drake
  • (7) UCLA vs. (10) Utah State  
  • (2) St. John’s vs. (15) Omaha  
  • (5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego  
  • (3) Texas Tech vs. (14) UNC Wilmington  
• Friday, March 21:
  • (8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Baylor
  • (2) Alabama vs. (15) Robert Morris
  • (3) Iowa State vs. (14) Lipscomb  
  • (5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State  
  • (1) Duke vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s
  • (7) Saint Mary’s vs. (10) Vanderbilt  
  • (6) Ole Miss vs. (11) North Carolina
  • (4) Maryland vs. (13) Grand Canyon  
  • (1) Florida vs. (16) Norfolk State  
  • (3) Kentucky vs. (14) Troy
  • (7) Marquette vs. (10) New Mexico  
  • (4) Arizona vs. (13) Akron  
  • (8) UConn vs. (9) Oklahoma
  • (6) Illinois vs. (11) Xavier  
  • (2) Michigan State vs. (15) Bryant
  • (5) Oregon vs. (12) Liberty  

Key Teams to Watch: Top Seeds and Standout Players

• Houston Cougars (1 Seed):
  • Led by L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp, Houston boasts a strong offense and one of the nation’s best defenses.  
• Auburn Tigers (1 Seed):
  • Featuring Johni Broome, a potential national player of the year, Auburn has a versatile and potent offense.
• Purdue (4 Seed):
  • Purdue has already shown strong performance, winning their first-round matchup.
• Tennessee (2 Seed):
  • Tennessee is a strong team and is expected to go deep into the tournament.

How to Watch: TV Channels and Streaming Options

• TV Channels:
  • Games are broadcast on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV.  
• Streaming:
  • Games can be streamed on Sling TV and other streaming platforms.  

Future Final Four Locations:

• 2025:
  • San Antonio, Alamodome  
• 2026:
  • Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium
• 2027:
  • Detroit, Ford Field
• 2028:
  • Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium
• 2029:
  • Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium  
• 2030:
  • North Texas, AT&T Stadium

FAQs: Men March Madness

1. When is Selection Sunday?
   Selection Sunday was on March 16.  
2. Where is the Final Four being held in 2025?
   The Final Four will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.  
3. What channels are showing March Madness games?
   CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV.  
4. When is the championship game?
   The championship game is on April 7.  
5. Where can I stream the games?
   You can stream the games on platforms like Sling TV.  
6. When are the Sweet 16 games?
   The Sweet 16 games are on March 27th and 28th.
7. What are the dates for the first round?
   The first round is played on March 20th and 21st.  
8. Where were the first four games played?
   The first four games were played in Dayton, Ohio.

Conclusion:

The 2025 March Madness tournament is shaping up to be an exciting event, with top-seeded teams and thrilling matchups. Stay tuned for updates as the tournament progresses, and enjoy the madness!

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