March Madness 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to the NCAA Tournament

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Nfl news / March Madness
The calendar has flipped to March, and you know what that means: the frenzy of college basketball is upon us. As teams gear up for the NCAA Tournament, fans nationwide are marking their calendars, strategizing their brackets, and placing their bets. Here's everything you need to navigate the madness this year.

Selection Sunday: The Big Reveal​

It all begins with Selection Sunday on March 16, 2025. At 6 p.m. ET, CBS will unveil the men's bracket, followed by the women's bracket at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Each tournament features 68 teams, comprising 32 automatic bids awarded to conference champions and 36 at-large bids determined by the selection committees.

First Four: The Kickoff Battles​

The tournament action tips off with the First Four games:

• Men's First Four: March 18-19 at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
• Women's First Four: March 19-20 at campus sites of the top 16 seeds.

These initial matchups determine which teams advance to the main 64-team bracket.

First and Second Rounds: Let the Madness Begin​

The heart of March Madness truly beats during the first and second rounds:

• First Round: March 20-21
• Second Round: March 22-23

Men's games will be hosted across various venues:

• Lexington, Kentucky: Rupp Arena
• Providence, Rhode Island: Amica Mutual Pavilion
• Seattle, Washington: Climate Pledge Arena
• Wichita, Kansas: Intrust Bank Arena
• Cleveland, Ohio: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Denver, Colorado: Ball Arena
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Fiserv Forum
• Raleigh, North Carolina: PNC Arena

For the women's tournament, the top 16 seeds will host the first and second rounds at their respective campuses.

Regionals: The Road to the Final Four​

Teams that advance will compete in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight during the regional rounds:

• East Regional: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
• West Regional: Chase Center in San Francisco, California
• South Regional: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
• Midwest Regional: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

These games are scheduled for March 27-30, with specific dates varying by region.

The Final Four: Championship Dreams Realized

The pinnacle of college basketball culminates at the Final Four:

• Men's Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
• Women's Final Four: April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida

The national championship games will follow, with the men's on April 7 and the women's on April 6.

Betting on March Madness: Odds and Insights​

As fans fill out their brackets, many also look to place wagers on the outcomes. According to recent odds, the top contenders for the men's national championship are:

• Auburn Tigers: +350
• Duke Blue Devils: +350
• Houston Cougars: +750
• Florida Gators: +900
• Alabama Crimson Tide: +1200

These odds reflect the teams' performances throughout the season and their potential to make deep tournament runs.

Streaming and Viewing Options​

For fans eager to catch every buzzer-beater and Cinderella story, games will be broadcast across several networks:

• CBS
• TBS
• TNT
• truTV

Streaming services like Paramount+ and Max will also provide live coverage, ensuring you won't miss a moment of the action.

Final Thoughts​

March Madness is more than just a tournament; it's a celebration of athleticism, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of sports. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments. So, gather your friends, set up your brackets, and get ready for the madness to unfold.

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