March Madness 2025 Preview: Everything You Need to Know Before the Big Dance
The clock is ticking down to the start of March Madness.
The cherished yearly tradition of the NCAA Tournament will commence this week, starting on the Tuesday after Selection Sunday. The best teams across the nation will complete those brackets in anticipation of winning the office poll or, at the very least, gaining some respect following the matchups established on Selection Sunday (March 16).
Who will emerge victorious? Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida are currently favored in the men's category.
Prepare yourself: The competition starts with the First Four on March 18, followed by the initial round starting on March 20. All pertinent information is provided below.
The Complete March Madness Schedule
The 2025 March Madness tournament commences with Selection Sunday on March 16, featuring 68 teams competing in the NCAA men's basketball championship. Refer to the whole schedule below:
Selection Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday, March 16, on CBS
- First Four: 18th-19th March, 2025
- First Round: 20th – 21st March, 2025
- Second round: 22nd – 23rd March, 2025
- Sweet 16: 27th – 28th March, 2025
- Elite Eight: 29th – 30th March 29-30, 2025
- Final Four: April 5 in the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 in the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Who is playing at March Madness?
Thirty-two automatic bids will be allocated through league tournaments, in conjunction with thirty-six at-large selections made by the NCAA selection committee. The bracket matchups will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16.
When and where are the March Madness Games?
The First Four will take place in Dayton, Ohio, from March 18–19, while the first and second rounds will take place from Providence, Rhode Island, to Seattle, Washington, from March 20–23.
Regional games will be held in Newark, New Jersey (March 27–30), Atlanta (March 30), Indianapolis (March 24), and San Francisco (West) during the Sweet 16 weekend.
The championship game will take place on Monday, April 7, after the Final Four event on Saturday, April 5, in San Antonio.
Who are the March Madness 2025 betting favorites?
The leading three betting favorites before Selection Sunday, in order, are Duke, Auburn, and Florida, as reported by premier bookmakers nationwide, although bettors can make the most of their March Madness wagering with a new user promo from Fanatics Sportsbook.
Here are the top five favorites to win March Madness 2025 and their odds:
- Duke Blue Devils [+330]
- Auburn Tigers [+380]
- Florida Gators [+750]
- Houston Cougars [+850]
- Alabama Crimson Tide [+1100]
Odds are subject to change.
March Madness Seeding Explained
After the selection of the 68 teams, they are ranked from 1 to 16 across four distinct regions, creating the tournament bracket. The leading four teams overall are awarded No. 1 seeding in each area. The selection committee considers geography and competitive equilibrium when allocating teams to regions. Higher-seeded teams compete against lower-seeded teams in the initial round, conferring a potential advantage.
Official start of March Madness: The First Four
A few days following Selection Sunday is when the tournament formally begins. The event commences with the First Four, a series of play-in contests conducted on the Tuesday and Wednesday subsequent to Selection Sunday. The four at-large teams with the lowest seeds and the four automatic qualifiers with the lowest seeds will meet in these matches. The victors progress to the primary 64-team tournament.
The importance of Selection Sunday
Choice Sunday is crucial since it determines the overall tournament framework. Teams eagerly anticipate their rankings, while fans complete brackets and scrutinize games. The bracket announcement incites fervent discussion over upsets, shocks, and contentious seedings. After the selections are finalized, fans must forecast their choices and choose which teams they believe will advance to the Final Four.
The custom of Selection Sunday originated in the early years of the NCAA Tournament, gaining widespread publicity with the advent of television coverage in the 1980s. The selection method has changed, integrating new measurements and technology to enhance fairness and accuracy.
How can I watch March Madness?
March Madness will be transmitted on four cable networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. It will additionally be available for streaming on Paramount+ so you can view the best college basketball teams to watch at your own convenience.
What about streaming March Madness?
March Madness is streamable on Paramount+ and can also be watched via any streaming service that includes CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, including YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV.