Selection Sunday Looms: The Road to March Madness 2025 Begins

The anticipation is palpable. The college basketball world is holding its collective breath, poised on the precipice of arguably the most thrilling sporting event of the year: the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness. With Selection Sunday just a single day away, the jigsaw puzzle of the 68-team field is nearly complete, leaving fans, analysts, and players alike eager to discover their team’s fate and potential path to glory.

The official tip-off to the madness is a mere three days distant, with the First Four contests slated to ignite the hardwood in Dayton, Ohio. These play-in games offer a last chance for eight teams – typically those on the fringes of the tournament bubble – to secure their spot in the main draw, adding an extra layer of drama and excitement to the tournament’s opening days.

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises a coast-to-coast spectacle, bringing the excitement of March Madness to a diverse tapestry of cities across the United States. From the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest, and from the East Coast to the heartland, the tournament’s regional rounds will showcase the nation’s top collegiate talent in iconic venues. Fans in Seattle, Washington will have the opportunity to witness high-stakes basketball firsthand, as will those in Cleveland, Ohio. Denver, Colorado, promises to offer an electrifying atmosphere with its altitude and passionate basketball fanbase. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a city steeped in basketball tradition, will also host tournament games, along with Lexington, Kentucky, a veritable shrine to the sport. Further east, Providence, Rhode Island, will welcome teams and fans alike, while Wichita, Kansas, a city known for its fervent support of college basketball, will provide a raucous backdrop for tournament action. Rounding out the list of host cities is Raleigh, North Carolina, a perennial powerhouse in the ACC and a city deeply ingrained in the fabric of college basketball.

But the ultimate destination for every team vying for the national championship is the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This iconic stadium will serve as the stage for the Final Four and the championship game, where the remaining contenders will battle for the ultimate prize: the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship trophy. The journey to San Antonio is fraught with challenges, upsets, and unforgettable moments, making March Madness a truly captivating and unpredictable spectacle.

Unveiling the Brackets: Selection Sunday Details

The revelation of the tournament brackets is a momentous occasion in its own right. Selection Sunday, a day filled with anticipation and speculation, is when the NCAA Selection Committee unveils the 68 teams that will participate in the tournament, along with their seeding and placement in the bracket. The selection process is complex and often controversial, relying on a variety of factors including win-loss record, strength of schedule, conference championships, and the dreaded “eye test.”

This year, the selection proceedings will be broadcast live on national television, providing fans with a front-row seat to the drama. The men’s and women’s brackets will be revealed sequentially, ensuring dedicated attention to both tournaments.

Mark your calendars: the men’s bracket will be unveiled first, kicking off the coverage at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on CBS. Immediately following the men’s reveal, the focus will shift to the women’s tournament, with their bracket announcement commencing at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

How to Watch Selection Sunday and Beyond

For those eager to witness the Selection Sunday drama unfold live, a variety of viewing options are available. CBS will provide comprehensive coverage of the men’s bracket unveiling, while ESPN will handle the women’s bracket announcement.

In addition to traditional television broadcasts, streaming options offer flexibility and convenience. Paramount+, the streaming service affiliated with CBS, will provide a live stream of the men’s Selection Sunday show. Another popular streaming platform, Fubo, will also offer live coverage of both the men’s and women’s bracket reveals. Notably, Fubo provides a free trial to new subscribers, making it an attractive option for those looking to sample their service and catch the Selection Sunday action.

To reiterate, the Selection Sunday coverage begins on March 16th at 6:00 p.m. ET on CBS for the men’s bracket and 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN for the women’s bracket. Be sure to tune in and witness the beginning of another exciting chapter in March Madness history.

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The road to the Final Four is a long and arduous one, filled with upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. But it all begins with Selection Sunday, the day when the field of 68 is set and the dreams of countless teams and fans are either realized or dashed. So, tune in, fill out your brackets, and prepare for another exhilarating edition of March Madness. The madness is about to begin!