NCAA Tournament first-round matchups kick off March Madness. Breaking down each game
As the late great Jackie Gleason would say, “And awaaay we go!” Google him, kids. He was terrific. But we digress.
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament starts in earnest Thursday, with 16 first-round games spread throughout the day. The first two No. 1 regional seeds will take the court in the afternoon session, and the prime-time lineup features some of the sport’s big-name programs and coaches with difficult draws.
Here is your complete viewer’s guide for the first full day of March Madness, including game times, channels, and a few notes on the matchups. Happy hooping, and best of luck with your brackets.
No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton
Time/TV: 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS
The day tips off in Lexington, Kentucky, where the Cardinals were perhaps seeded lower than expected but at least get to play in their home state. The Bluejays are accustomed to hostile environs, having just played in the Big East final before a St. John’s crowd at Madison Square Garden, but they’ll need to avoid a similar second-half barrage to get by Louisville.
No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 High Point
Time/TV: 12:40 p.m. ET, TruTV
The Boilermakers’ quest to get back to the Final Four opens against a tournament newcomer. After knocking on the door for a number of years, the Panthers finally broke through in the Big South tournament and now hope to make the most of the experience. High Point is deeper than most non-power conference squads, and Purdue does not exactly have momentum on its side having dropped six of its last nine.
REGIONAL BREAKDOWNS: East | West | Midwest | South
UPSET-MINDED: Six potential surprising results in the first round
No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana
Time/TV: 12:40 p.m. ET, TNT
This might be a tougher assignment for Big Ten runner-up Wisconsin than it might appear. It’s a quick turnaround for the Badgers after playing in the league finale Sunday afternoon, and the Grizzlies, though dancing for the first time since 2019, won’t be bothered by playing at altitude in Denver. Still, it will be difficult to match the production of John Tonje and the Badgers from the three-point arc.
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET, TBS
For the uninitiated, SIUE are the Cougars, not the Salukis, and the Ohio Valley champions are dancing for the first time since moving up from Division II in 2008. They probably won’t last long against the more accomplished Cougars, but they can at least hope for a nice play or two to make the ‘One Shining Moment’ montage.
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State
Time/TV: 2:50 p.m. ET, CBS
After prevailing in a thriller in Dayton against St. Francis, the Hornets now look to become only the second 16 seed to topple a No. 1 after winning in the First Four, a feat achieved just two years ago by Fairleigh Dickinson. It’s a tall order, and the Tigers have almost certainly spent the last week reiterating attention to detail after dropping three of their last four games.
No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 McNeese State
Time/TV: 3:15 p.m. ET, TruTV
Will Wade, a Clemson grad for what it’s worth, has led the Cowboys back in the dance as a No. 1 12 seed for a second consecutive year. The Tigers will be a bit short-handed with reserve guard Dillon Hunter out with an injury, but his brother Chase is among several veterans of last year’s Elite Eight squad.
No. 6 Brigham Young vs. No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth
Time/TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, TNT
One of the most promising matchups of the round of 64 pits VCU, a strong A-10 program with a history of March success including an improbable First Four to Final Four run in 2011, against the Cougars, perhaps underseeded considering the solid second half of their Big 12 season. Both teams take nearly half their shots from beyond the arc, so expect plenty of long-range fireworks.
No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia
Time/TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, TBS
An all-Bulldogs affair rounds out the early session. Recent Sweet 16 fixture Gonzaga has been at its best down the stretch and having the steady hand of Ryan Nembhard at the point helps, but Georgia is battle tested after negotiating the SEC and has plenty of athletes capable of generating turnovers.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford
Time/TV: 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT
The Volunteers lead off the evening slate as they begin their quest to escape the ‘never made the Final Four’ club. They defend as well as any team in the field, and an early run could put the Southern Conference champion Terriers away quickly. Wofford has faced high-end competition this season, but its early November visit to Duke didn’t provide much cause for optimism.
No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas
Time/TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
From a coaching standpoint, this pod in Providence arguably offers the most intrigue of the first round. Long-time KU mentor Bill Self squares off with John Calipari, in his first year helming the Razorbacks, for the right, barring a colossal upset, to meet Rick Pitino and St. John’s in the second round. The Jayhawks, ranked No. 1 in the preseason, picked up some valuable wins early but struggled in Big 12 play. Arkansas did just enough in the ultra-competitive SEC to make the field, and now those frequent encounters with ranked opponents could serve the Razorbacks well.
No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale
Time/TV: 7:25 p.m. ET, TBS
After sending Auburn packing from the round of 64 a season ago, Yale will not be sneaking up on anyone. Nevertheless, the Aggies can be prone to cold spells, which could allow a smart bunch like the Bulldogs to hang around well into the second half. The backcourt matchup between Yale's John Poulakidas and A&M's Wade Taylor should be one to watch.
No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake
Time/TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, TruTV
Yet another SEC squad in the middle of the bracket faces a dangerous group of Bulldogs. This Drake team looks considerably different from the one that came up just short against Washington State last year, but new coach Ben McCollum reloaded quickly to keep the Bulldogs atop the Missouri Valley. Mizzou has more overall scoring depth but might need all its options to contribute in what figures to be a full 40-minute battle
No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Utah State
Time/TV: 9:25 p.m. ET, TNT
The Bruins, one of the two Big Ten west-coast additions to make the dance, embark on a treacherous bracket draw. Utah State reached the second round a season ago and has the fire power to do so again. UCLA lacks a true super star but can mount relentless ball pressure that results in its opponents committing over 15 turnovers a game. That can be an issue for the Aggies, who must use their screen game to get open looks from three-point range.
No. 2 St. John’s vs. No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha
Time/TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS
The Mavericks already knew they’d be dancing when they reach the Summit League final against St. Thomas, which is still in its transition period and not eligible to play in the NCAA Tournament yet. To its credit, Omaha won the game anyway to be the true conference champ. The Mavericks’ run likely ends here, however, as the Red Storm completed their takeover of the Big East in Rick Pitino's second season. St. John’s has shot the ball much better of late, a scary proposition for future opponents.
No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego
Time/TV: 10 p.m. ET, TBS
With a lofty victory total and a high NET ranking, the Tritons figured to be a popular upset pick before the actual bracket was unveiled. They still might be, but they were dealt a tough hand by having to face the Big Ten tournament champion Wolverines. On the plus side for UCSD, Michigan will be on shorter rest in the altitude of the Mile High City. Even so, getting points at the rim could be difficult for the Tritons against the Wolverines’ seven-footers, so they might be more reliant than usual on hitting treys.
No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington
Time/TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, TruTV
The final game of the day to tip features the Red Raiders, the lone Big 12 club that managed to beat Houston during the regular season, hoping to begin a journey to the program’s second Final Four appearance. Up first are the Seahawks, who claimed their first CAA crown and NCAA berth since 2017. UNCW got a taste of the Big 12 back in November in an 18-point loss at Kansas, which as a footnote was Jayhawks’ coach Bill Self’s 800th career victory.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness: NCAA Tournament first-round schedule, breakdown
Topics
-
March Madness 2025 odds, matchups: Opening lines for first-round NCAA tournament games
Here are the odds on every March Madness first-round game at BetMGM sportsbook.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
2025 NCAA Tournament odds, lines: Game spreads for every First Four, first-round matchup in March Madness
The opening odds and game spreads for the 2025 NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 3d -
March Madness first round predictions: NCAA bracket picks for every men’s game
Who will win 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket? Our best men’s March Madness first round predictions are in.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Women's March Madness 2025: Ranking the top five NCAA Tournament first round matchups
The first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament begins FridayCBS Sports - 1d -
NCAA bracket 2025: Ranking every March Madness tournament first-round game from No. 1 to No. 32
Here is the 1-32 breakdown of which games should be best over Thursday and FridayCBS Sports - 1d -
The ‘Can’t Miss’ First Round Games of the Men’s N.C.A.A. Tournament
From the game to blow off work for to the one worth saying up late for, these matchups ooze madness potential.The New York Times - 1d -
Drake basketball vs. Missouri preview: 3 things to watch in the NCAA Tournament game
Here are three things to watch in Drake men's basketball's March Madness matchup against Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
6 first-round matchups NBA scouts can't wait to see in March Madness
As always, when the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins, NBA scouts will have an extra close eye on some March Madness games more than others.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
2025 March Madness predictions: NCAA bracket expert picks against the spread, odds in Thursday's Round 1 games
Best bets for the top games Thursday in the first round of the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 2h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Michigan vs. UC San Diego Livestream: How to Watch the Men’s March Madness Game Online
The Wolverines take on the Tritons from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, in tonight's first round showdownYahoo Sports - 16m -
Croatia beats France 2-0 in Nations League quarterfinals to spoil Mbappé's return
Croatia contained the attacking duo of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in a 2-0 victory over France in the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals Thursday. Ante Budimir headed Croatia ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
How can one Notre Dame women's basketball player get her game back in gear during March Madness?
Notre Dame women's basketball has had to sit with a lackluster loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the last 13 days, which hasn't sat well with one IrishYahoo Sports - 16m -
SIUE's Ray'Sean Taylor broke down in tears after NCAA loss. The chance to play meant that much
The best assist that Brian Taylor II made on Thursday after SIU Edwardsville had been routed by Houston in the school's first trip to the NCAA Tournament came long after the teams had walked off ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Purdue basketball prediction vs McNeese: Who has edge in March Madness second round
Purdue was a popular upset pick in the first round, will No. 12 McNeese State be this March Madness' Cinderella?Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Barcelona to finish season at Olympic Stadium
Barcelona on Thursday informed its fans that the club will finish the season at Olympic Stadium where they will play all remaining LaLiga and Champions League matches as construction at Spotify ...ESPN - 13m -
Chelsea ink Sporting pair, deals worth up to $80M
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo in a joint deal worth up to €74.4 million ($81.15 million), the Portuguese side confirmed on Wednesday.ESPN - 13m -
Tuchel: England were afraid to lose at Euro 2024
Thomas Tuchel has said he believes England struggled to produce consistent performances at Euro 2024 as the players were more afraid of being knocked out of the tournament than they were focused to ...ESPN - 13m -
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 13m -
Andy Robertson: Liverpool career far from over
Andrew Robertson has brushed off criticism of his Liverpool performances this season and insisted that his time at Anfield is not coming to an end.ESPN - 13m