March Madness 2025: NCAA Tournament Day 1 Kicks Off with Thrilling Matchups

The long-awaited kickoff of March Madness has finally arrived, with the men’s 2025 NCAA tournament commencing on March 20 at 12:10 PM ET. Today, fans across the country will witness 16 exciting matchups featuring powerhouse teams such as the Auburn Tigers, who are favored to make a deep run in the tournament. The thrill of competition intensifies with iconic coaches John Calipari of Arkansas and Bill Self of Kansas clashing in the first round, making it a must-watch for college basketball enthusiasts.

Key Matchups to Watch

Here are the major opening matchups that basketball fans won’t want to miss:

• No. 9 Creighton vs. No. 8 Louisville at 12:15 PM (CBS)
• No. 13 High Point vs. No. 4 Purdue at 12:40 PM (truTV)
• No. 14 Montana vs. No. 3 Wisconsin at 1:30 PM (TNT)
• No. 16 SIU Edwardsville vs. No. 1 Houston at 2:00 PM (TBS)
• No. 16 Alabama State vs. No. 1 Auburn at 2:50 PM (CBS)
• No. 12 McNeese vs. No. 5 Clemson at 3:15 PM (truTV)
• No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 BYU at 4:05 PM (TNT)
• No. 9 Georgia vs. No. 8 Gonzaga at 4:30 PM (TBS)
• No. 15 Wofford vs. No. 2 Tennessee at 6:50 PM (TNT)
• No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 7 Kansas at 7:10 PM (CBS)
• No. 13 Yale vs. No. 4 Texas A&M at 7:25 PM (TBS)
• No. 11 Drake vs. No. 6 Missouri at 7:35 PM (truTV)
• No. 10 Utah State vs. No. 7 UCLA at 9:25 PM (TNT)
• No. 15 Omaha vs. No. 2 St. John’s at 9:45 PM (CBS)
• No. 12 UC San Diego vs. No. 5 Michigan at 10:00 PM (TBS)
• No. 14 UNC Wilmington vs. No. 3 Texas Tech at 10:10 PM (truTV)

Where to Watch and Follow Live Updates

Fans can follow all the action through various platforms:

• Full schedule and results
• Live updates

As the tournament unfolds, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for comprehensive coverage and highlights from ESPN writers located on-site across various venues, providing real-time analysis and reactions to all the games.

Conclusion

The first day of the NCAA tournament promises non-stop action as teams vie for their chance to advance in the prestigious March Madness. Grab your snacks, set your viewing schedules, and prepare to cheer for your favorite teams as college basketball’s biggest event kicks off!

Keywords: NCAA tournament 2025, March Madness, Auburn Tigers, college basketball, basketball matchups, live updates, NCAA scores, tournament schedule

Hashtags: #MarchMadness #NCAATournament #CollegeBasketball #AuburnTigers #Basketball2025

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