As of March 13, 2025, the college basketball season is in full swing, with conference tournaments underway and the NCAA tournament on the horizon.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament:
The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to begin on March 18, 2025, with the championship game scheduled for April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The bracket is taking shape, with teams securing automatic bids through conference championships and at-large selections pending. Notably, teams like High Point (Big South), SIU Edwardsville (Ohio Valley), and Omaha (Summit League) are making their tournament debuts.
Conference Tournaments Highlights:
- SEC Tournament: In the first round, No. 9 seed Arkansas narrowly defeated 16th-seeded South Carolina 72-68. Trevon Brazile led with 16 points. Arkansas advances to face No. 8 seed Ole Miss.
- Big 12 Tournament: Kansas State’s Coleman Hawkins expressed regret after his team’s elimination by Baylor. Despite averaging 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, Hawkins felt he didn’t meet expectations.
- Big Ten Tournament: The tournament is currently underway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The top 15 Big Ten schools are competing, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Emerging Tournament – College Basketball Crown (CBC):
A new postseason tournament, the College Basketball Crown (CBC), is scheduled from March 31 to April 6, 2025. This single-elimination tournament features 16 NCAA Division I teams that did not participate in the NCAA or NIT tournaments. Games will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, with semifinal and championship games airing on FOX.
Looking Ahead:
The NCAA tournament bracket will be finalized on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2025. Fans can anticipate a thrilling March Madness, with teams vying for the national championship and others seeking a strong postseason showing in emerging tournaments like the CBC.