The madness of college basketball is back. With 16 games scheduled on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, fans are in for non-stop action from noon until past midnight. Here’s everything you need to know, from matchups to key players and where to watch.
Game Day Excitement: A Full Slate of Thrillers With March Madness
The opening day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises a mix of powerhouse performances and potential upsets. Some key matchups to watch include:
- Louisville vs. Creighton – A battle of resilience as Louisville takes on Creighton’s star center, Ryan Kalkbrenner.
- Purdue vs. High Point – Purdue looks to dominate with their relentless offense.
- Wisconsin vs. Montana – A Big Ten powerhouse against a determined underdog.
- Auburn vs. Alabama State – Auburn’s title hopes begin with Johni Broome leading the charge.
The night games bring even more excitement, with Kansas taking on Arkansas and Michigan looking to make a deep run. Two AP First Team All-Americans—Braden Smith (Purdue) and Johni Broome (Auburn)—will be in action, adding star power to an already stacked day.
How to Watch Thursday’s March Madness Games
Want to catch all the action live? Here’s the full schedule for Day 1 of the tournament:
Afternoon Games
- No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton – 12:15 p.m. (CBS, Fubo, Paramount+)
- No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 High Point – 12:40 p.m. (truTV, Max)
- No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana – 1:30 p.m. (TNT, Max)
- No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 SIU Edwardsville – 2:00 p.m. (TBS, Max)
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State – 2:50 p.m. (CBS, Fubo, Paramount+)
Evening Games
- No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford – 6:50 p.m. (TNT, Max)
- No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas – 7:10 p.m. (CBS, Fubo, Paramount+)
- No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale – 7:25 p.m. (TBS, Max)
- No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake – 7:35 p.m. (truTV, Max)
- No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Utah State – 9:25 p.m. (TNT, Max)
- No. 2 St. John’s vs. No. 15 Omaha – 9:45 p.m. (CBS, Fubo, Paramount+)
- No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego – 10:00 p.m. (TBS, Max)
- No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington – 10:10 p.m. (truTV, Max)
Storylines to Watch in March Madness
Can Auburn and Houston Live Up to Their No. 1 Seeds?
Both teams enter the tournament with high expectations. Auburn’s Johni Broome is a dominant force in the paint, while Houston’s disciplined defense makes them a tough opponent.
Will There Be a Cinderella Story?
Every year, an underdog team captures the hearts of fans. Could Montana, Yale, or UC San Diego pull off a shocking upset?
Kansas vs. Arkansas: A Clash of Heavyweights
Kansas’ veteran core takes on John Calipari’s Arkansas squad in a game that could go down to the wire.
With a packed slate of games and some of the best players in the nation on display, the first day of March Madness 2025 is set to be an unforgettable one. Whether you’re following the action on TV or tracking your bracket online, buckle up, this is what college basketball is all about.
