2025 March Madness cheat sheet: NCAA Tournament highlights and how to win your bracket
What’s the NCAA Tournament bracket?
The NCAA Tournament bracket is a visual representation of the matchups and progression paths for the 68 schools competing in each the men’s and women’s tournaments. Teams are seeded and placed into four regions, with matchups determined by these seedings. Printable brackets for the 2025 tournament are available online
How does the tournament work?
The tournament is a single-elimination format featuring 68 teams:
First Four: Eight teams compete in play-in games to complete the 64-team bracket
First and second rounds: Teams compete to advance to the Sweet 16.
Regional semi-finals and finals (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight): Determine the Final Four teams
Final Four and national championship: The remaining teams compete for the national title
What’s the schedule for March Madness and how to watch?
First Four
• Men’s 18-19 March
• Women’s 19-20 March
First round
• Men’s 20-21 March
• Women’s 21-22 March
Second round
• Men’s 22-23 March
• Women’s 23-24 March
Sweet 16
• Men’s 27-28 March
• Women’s 28-29 March
Elite Eight
• Men’s 29-30 March
• Women’s 30-31 March
Final Four
• Men’s 5 April (Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas)
• Women’s April 4 (Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida)
National Championship
• Men’s 7 April (Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas)
• Women’s 6 April (Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida)
Games are broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV in the US. Streaming is available through the NCAA March Madness Live app and network-specific platforms.
In the UK, Sky Sports holds the broadcasting rights for March Madness. Fans can watch live games on Sky Sports channels or stream them through the Sky Go app. Additionally, Sky’s streaming service, NOW, offers access to Sky Sports channels without a long-term contract.
Australian viewers can tune into ESPN via Foxtel to catch the tournament. For those without a Foxtel subscription, Kayo Sports provides a streaming alternative, offering live coverage of March Madness games. Kayo Sports also offers a free trial for new users.
Who are the favorites to win March Madness?
On the men’s side Auburn hold the No 1 overall seed, led by standout Johni Broome, and has been a dominant force all season. Duke, another No 1 seed, feature star freshman Cooper Flagg, who has reportedly recovered from an ankle injury and is expected to lead the Blue Devils on a deep run. Florida, also a No 1 seed, have lost just once since February and boasts a balanced attack. Houston, the final No 1 seed, are known for their elite defense and consistency, making them a serious title threat. Among the No 2 seeds, Alabama stand out with a high-powered offense and experience competing against the nation’s best in the Southeastern Conference, which sent a record 14 teams to the tournament.
On the women’s side South Carolina, led by coach Dawn Staley, are aiming for back-to-back titles with their trademark lockdown defense and experience. UCLA, the No 1 overall seed, boast a 30-2 record and Big Ten tournament championship, making them strong favorites. UConn, powered by star guard Paige Bueckers, remain a perennial title threat, while USC enter the tournament behind freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who has carried the Trojans with elite scoring and playmaking. Texas, led by standout Madison Booker and coach Vic Schaefer, feature a balanced attack and elite defense, making them a tough out.
What are the most likely March Madness upsets?
Men’s tournament
No 12 McNeese over No 5 Clemson McNeese’s robust defense and offensive rebounding capabilities position them well against Clemson, who have shown vulnerabilities in rebounding. Both teams’ experience levels suggest a closely contested game
No 11 VCU over No. 6 BYU VCU’s aggressive defense could disrupt BYU’s offense, particularly given BYU’s struggles with turnovers. This defensive pressure might tilt the game in the Rams’ favor
No 12 UC San Diego over No 5 Michigan The Tritons’ efficient offense and low turnover rate could challenge Michigan, especially considering the Wolverines’ susceptibility to turnovers despite their size advantage
No 13 Yale over No 4 Texas A&M Yale’s exceptional three-point shooting and strong defensive rebounding make them a formidable opponent for Texas A&M, a team who have battled inconsistencies. Yale’s disciplined play could pave the way for an upset
Women’s tournament
No 10 Harvard over No 7 Michigan State Harvard’s standout guard, Harmoni Turner, has been on a scoring tear, averaging 31.3 points over the past four games. Coupled with a defense that allows just 52.5 points per game, the Crimson have the tools to challenge Michigan State
No 10 South Dakota State over No 7 Oklahoma State The Jackrabbits, under coach Aaron Johnston, are no strangers to NCAA Tournament success. With a history of upsets and a strong non-conference schedule, they are well-prepared to take on the Cowboys
No 12 Fairfield over No 5 Kansas State Fairfield’s defensive prowess and three-point shooting capability make them a formidable opponent. With Kansas State’s star center Ayoka Lee returning from injury, her condition could be a determining factor in this matchup
No 11 Murray State over No 6 Iowa Murray State’s fast-paced offense, led by Katelyn Young, who has surpassed 3,000 career points, could pose significant challenges for Iowa. The Racers’ ability to score rapidly makes them a potential bracket-buster
Who are the key players to watch?
Men’s tournament
Cooper Flagg, Duke The 18-year-old freshman phenom leads Duke with his exceptional all-around play, making him a top NBA prospect
Johni Broome, Auburn Named SEC Player of the Year, Broome’s dominant presence in the paint has been pivotal in Auburn securing the tournament’s top overall seed
Julian ‘JuJu’ Reese, Maryland A 6ft 10in forward aiming to lead Maryland to a national title before entering the NBA Draft, Reese has been a standout performer this season
Solo Ball, Connecticut Leading UConn with 14.6 points per game, Ball’s consistent improvement and leadership are crucial as the Huskies pursue a third consecutive national championship
Tre Johnson, Texas As a freshman, Johnson has made an immediate impact, showcasing his scoring ability and earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors
Women’s tournament
JuJu Watkins, USC The freshman phenom leads the nation in scoring and has been pivotal in USC’s top-seed status
Paige Bueckers, Connecticut Returning from injury, Bueckers has reclaimed her All-American form, aiming to guide UConn to another national title
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame A dynamic playmaker, Hidalgo’s leadership and versatility have been instrumental in Notre Dame’s successful season
Lauren Betts, UCLA At 6ft 7in, Betts dominates the paint with her scoring and rebounding, making her a key asset for UCLA’s championship aspirations
Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Balancing her talents on the court and as a rapper, Johnson’s athleticism and scoring ability make her a dual-threat star
Who are the key injuries?
Men’s tournament
Cooper Flagg, Duke The freshman phenom and projected top NBA draft pick sprained his left ankle in the ACC Tournament. Duke are optimistic about his return, but his health could be a major factor in their title hopes
J’Wan Roberts, Houston Houston’s best rebounder and veteran leader sprained his right ankle in the Big 12 Tournament. His presence is crucial for the Cougars’ Final Four aspirations
Grant Nelson, Alabama Alabama’s versatile forward injured his knee in the SEC Tournament. His status is uncertain, and missing even one game could put the Crimson Tide in danger of an early exit
Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State The Cyclones’ second-leading scorer and top playmaker is out with a muscle strain, a big blow to Iowa State’s chances of a deep run
Adou Thiero, Arkansas Arkansas’ leading scorer and rebounder has missed six games with a knee injury and is unlikely to return. His absence significantly weakens the Razorbacks in a tough region
Women’s tournament
Flau’jae Johnson, LSU The standout guard, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game, missed the last regular-season game and the SEC Tournament due to shin inflammation. However, she is fit and expected to play in the upcoming tournament
Aneesah Morrow, LSU Another key player for LSU, Morrow’s performance is crucial for the team’s success. While specific injury details are not provided, her health status is a point of consideration
Aziaha James, NC State The guard’s injury status is a concern for NC State as they prepare for the tournament. Her availability could significantly impact the team’s performance
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame Known for her versatility and playmaking abilities, Miles’ injury status is being closely monitored. Her presence is vital for Notre Dame’s tournament aspirations
Ayoka Lee, Kansas State The center’s injury situation could affect Kansas State’s competitiveness in the tournament. Keeping an eye on her status is important for understanding the team’s potential performance
Who are the most notable coaches?
Men’s tournament
Rick Pitino, St John’s Revitalized a long-dormant program, leading them to a No 2 seed
Tom Izzo, Michigan State Veteran coach with a strong tournament history
Brad Brownell, Clemson Fresh off a six-year extension, leading Clemson to their fifth NCAA appearance
Kelvin Sampson, Houston Veteran coach guiding Houston to a No 1 seed and title contention
John Calipari, Arkansas Tournament staple looking for a deep run in his first season at Arkansas
Women’s tournament
Geno Auriemma, UConn Legendary coach chasing his 12th national title with a healthy Paige Bueckers
Dawn Staley, South Carolina Aiming for back-to-back championships and cementing her dynasty
Kim Mulkey, LSU Fiery leader looking to guide LSU to another deep tournament run
Carrie Moore, Harvard Led Harvard to the Ivy League title; a dangerous tournament opponent
Wes Moore, NC State Consistent winner with multiple ACC titles and deep tournament runs
Can you give me some tips to win my pool?
Balance favorites and upsets No 1 seeds often go far, but at least one lower-seeded team will make a deep run
Look for 12-5 upsets No 12 seeds have historically beaten No 5 seeds about 35% of the time. Ignore them at your peril
Experience matters Teams with veteran guards and experienced coaches tend to perform better under pressure
Defense wins championships Teams with top-20 defensive efficiency rankings usually make deep runs
Avoid overloading on Cinderella teams One or two upsets are smart, but Final Four spots are usually filled with elite teams
Check for injuries A key player missing a game can drastically change a team’s chances
Don’t overrate conference tournaments Playing the hot hand can be smart, but teams that just won their conference tournaments can often be overvalued and due for a letdown
Watch free-throw shooting Teams that shoot well from the line have an advantage in close games
What’s up with Warren Buffett trying to give away a million dollars?
The Oracle of Omaha offers a $1m prize to any Berkshire Hathaway employee who correctly predicts at least 30 of the first 32 games. This year, he has made the contest easier, hoping to award the prize – previously employees had to get all 32 games right.
| 1d 10:27 AM ET ago |
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