The clock struck 6 p.m. ET on March 16, 2025, and the college basketball world erupted! Selection Sunday 2025 delivered the NCAA March Madness bracket, and fans are already losing their minds over the matchups. From the men’s bracket to the women’s showdowns, the stage is set for a heart-pounding ride to the Final Four. Today, March 17, 2025, at 12:08 AM PDT, the buzz is electric, and the printable brackets are flying off ESPN and CBS Sports faster than a buzzer-beater! Let’s dive into the chaos, the stats, and the pure adrenaline of March Madness 2025!
The Bracket Drops: Men’s NCAA Madness Begins
Selection Sunday kicked off with CBS Sports unveiling the men’s NCAA Tournament bracket, a 68-team gauntlet ready to battle starting with the First Four on March 18. Auburn snagged the No. 1 overall seed in the South Region after a 28-5 season, flexing their dominance with an 11-7 SEC record. Duke, led by Wooden Award favorite Cooper Flagg (averaging 18.2 PPG), grabbed the East Region’s top spot despite Flagg’s late-season ankle scare. Florida and Houston rounded out the No. 1 seeds in the Midwest and West, respectively.
The First Four matchups? Pure fire! No. 16 Wagner (16-15) clashes with No. 16 Howard (18-16) Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. PDT on truTV, while No. 10 Colorado State (24-10) takes on No. 10 Virginia (23-10) at 6:10 p.m. PDT. Wednesday brings No. 16 Grambling State (20-14) versus No. 16 Montana State (17-17) at 3:40 p.m. PDT. The stakes? A ticket to the big dance!
Fans on X are hyped: “South region looks stacked—Auburn’s got this!” screamed @Cizzzzle21. Meanwhile, UNC barely squeaked in as an 11-seed after a 1-12 Quad 1 record, leaving bubble teams like Boise State and Texas fuming on the “First Four Out” list.
Women’s Bracket: UCLA Leads the Charge
Over on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, the women’s NCAA bracket dropped, and UCLA claimed the No. 1 overall seed with a 25-6 record. South Carolina, Texas, and USC joined them as top seeds, setting up a fierce tournament. The women’s First Four tips off later this week, but the bracket reveal already has fans buzzing. Stanford’s 36-year streak ended—they’re out for the first time since 1987! “Shocking snub!” tweeted @NicoleAuerbach, echoing the disbelief.
The SEC flexed hard in both brackets, sending a record 14 men’s teams and a powerhouse women’s contingent. Printable brackets from NCAA.com are everywhere—fans can’t wait to pencil in their Cinderella stories!
Game Changer: SEC’s Historic Haul
The Southeastern Conference stole the show on Selection Sunday. With 14 of 16 men’s teams punching tickets, they shattered the Big East’s old record of 11 bids from 2011. Auburn and Florida earned No. 1 seeds, while Tennessee and Alabama nabbed No. 2s. Their non-conference dominance (89% win rate) proved the SEC’s depth. On the women’s side, South Carolina’s 32-0 regular season screams dynasty—they’re gunning for back-to-back titles.
Key stat: Auburn’s Johni Broome dropped 18.6 PPG and 8.9 RPG, making him a matchup nightmare. Duke’s Flagg, despite missing most of the ACC Tournament, still anchors a defense ranked 4th in adjusted efficiency (KenPom). These stars are ready to ignite March Madness 2025!
Schedule Madness: When Does It All Start?
Mark your calendars—March Madness 2025 tips off Tuesday, March 18, with the men’s First Four on truTV at 6 p.m. ET. The full tournament explodes Thursday, March 20, with Round 1 action across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Game times? Think 9 a.m. PDT for early risers and late-night thrillers past 7 p.m. PDT. The women’s tournament follows a similar beat, starting later in the week—check NCAA.com for the exact slate.
The Final Four lands in San Antonio on April 5, with the men’s National Championship slamming the court April 7 at 6 p.m. PDT on CBS. Want tickets? March Madness Live has you covered, but they’re selling out fast!
Bracketology Breakdown: Predictions Heat Up
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm nailed his bracket predictions, pegging Auburn as the top dog weeks ago. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had UNC on the bubble—and they barely made it. Bracketology 2025 was a rollercoaster, with the “First Four Out” (UNC, Boise State, Texas, Nebraska) sparking heated debates. “UNC’s in? Robbery!” raged @madeformarch on X.
The South Region looks like a warzone—Auburn faces Michigan, Michigan State, and Texas A&M, all capable of a Final Four run. The East? Duke’s freshmen trio (Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach) could steamroll, but injuries loom large. Houston’s JT Toppin (18.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG) in the West is a sleeper star—watch out!
Fan Frenzy: The Bracket Challenge Begins
The NCAA March Madness Bracket Challenge is live on CBS Sports and ESPN. Fill out your printable NCAA bracket 2025 now—will you pick chalk or a wild upset? Last year, No. 11 NC State shocked the world to the Final Four. This year, fans are eyeing No. 12 Grand Canyon (29-4) to bust some brackets against No. 5 Saint Mary’s.
“Marquette vs. Michigan State in the Sweet 16—give me that chaos!” cheered @Cizzzzle21 on X. Yahoo Fantasy’s Bracket Mayhem offers a $50K prize—get in before the First Four tips off!
Where to Watch: TV and Streaming
CBS Sports and TNT Sports have every game locked down. The Selection Show aired on CBS (men’s) and ESPN (women’s), but now it’s game time. Catch the First Four on truTV, then flip between CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV for Round 1. Streaming? Max and Paramount+ have you covered live. Selection Sunday’s replay is on NCAA March Madness Live—relive the bracket reveal!
What channel? CBS starts the party Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, with ESPN at 8 p.m. ET for the women. Don’t miss a second—game times are locked on NCAA.com!
Tournament Locations: Road to the Final Four
The 2025 NCAA Tournament hits iconic spots. Dayton hosts the First Four, while Round 1 and 2 scatter across Raleigh, Omaha, and more. Sweet 16 and Elite Eight battles rage in Atlanta and Las Vegas—prime hoops territory! The men’s Final Four lands in San Antonio’s Alamodome, a 65,000-seat cathedral of basketball chaos.
Women’s regionals hit Portland and Dallas, with the Final Four in Indianapolis. NCAA Tournament locations are set—plan your road trip now!
Men’s Highlights: Stars and Stats
Duke’s 19-1 run after Flagg turned 18 (Dec. 21, 2024) screams contender. Auburn’s 37% 3-point shooting could rain fire. Houston’s Kelvin Sampson has a Final Four pedigree—five straight deep runs! Texas Tech’s JT Toppin is the X-factor; his 1.2 BPG could lock down the West.
Underdog alert: No. 13 Charleston (27-7) faces No. 4 Alabama in Round 1. Last year, No. 13 Yale stunned Auburn—history could repeat!
Women’s Spotlight: Powerhouses Clash
UCLA’s 25-6 mark leans on guard Kiki Rice (15.3 PPG). South Carolina’s unbeaten streak (32-0) is fueled by Kamilla Cardoso’s 14.1 PPG and 10.5 RPG. Texas and USC bring star power—Rori Harmon and JuJu Watkins are must-watch talents. The women’s bracket is a slugfest—print yours at NCAA.com and pick your champ!
NIT Bracket 2025: The Other Dance
Missed the Big Dance? The NIT Bracket 2025 gives snubbed teams like Boise State a shot at glory. Action starts mid-March—check ESPN for the full slate. It’s not March Madness, but it’s still hoops heaven!
March Madness Predictions: Who Wins?
Men’s pick: Auburn’s depth could carry them to April 7. Duke’s youth might falter late. Women’s champ? South Carolina’s perfect run feels unstoppable. Bracket predictions are wild—CBS Sports has Auburn over Houston, while ESPN’s got UCLA topping South Carolina. What’s your call?
Get Ready: The Madness Is Here!
March Madness 2025 is live, and the brackets are set! From Selection Sunday’s jaw-dropping reveals to the First Four’s opening salvos, this tournament is pure adrenaline. Grab your printable bracket, tune into CBS or ESPN, and scream for your team. The road to the Final Four is paved with upsets, heroes, and heartbreak—don’t blink! Stay sharp with OngoingNow for every slam dunk and Cinderella story!