March Madness 2025: Tip-Off Times and Broadcast Details for the First Round

The anticipation is palpable. The bracket is out, the seeds are sown, and the stage is set for another exhilarating edition of March Madness. The NCAA Tournament selection committee has unveiled the matchups for the 2025 men’s tournament, igniting a frenzy of bracketology and office pool speculation. For hours, fans have been meticulously analyzing potential Cinderella stories, projecting upsets, and dreaming of their bracket-busting glory. While the matchups themselves have been the initial focus, the crucial details of when and where to watch the action are now available. College basketball enthusiasts can finally begin meticulously planning their viewing schedules, marking down potential upset candidates, and identifying teams poised to embark on a deep run toward the Final Four.

The journey to the championship commences with the First Four games, a quartet of contests scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. These preliminary matchups, often showcasing teams on the bubble or smaller conference champions, provide a taste of the drama to come and offer an opportunity for underdogs to prove their worth. Following the First Four, the real madness erupts with the first round of the NCAA Tournament, tipping off on Thursday, March 20th, and continuing through Friday, March 21st.

Prepare for two days of non-stop basketball action, a whirlwind of buzzer-beaters, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable moments. The games will begin around lunchtime on the East Coast, ensuring maximum accessibility for fans across different time zones. The relentless schedule will stretch late into the night on the West Coast, guaranteeing a full day of hoops that captures the very essence of March Madness. It’s this intensity, this constant stream of compelling basketball, that makes the tournament so captivating and universally beloved. The first round is where legends are born, where unlikely heroes emerge, and where brackets are gleefully and ruthlessly torn to shreds.

While the specific tip-off times for the second-round games will be announced after the first-round matchups are finalized, the schedule breakdown for the first round provides a solid foundation for planning your viewing strategy. Block out those days on your calendar, stock up on snacks, and prepare for a barrage of basketball.

First Round Schedule Breakdown (All Times Eastern):

• Thursday, March 20: Games begin around lunchtime and continue throughout the day and into the late evening.
• Friday, March 21: Games begin around lunchtime and continue throughout the day and into the late evening.

Broadcast Information:

The NCAA Tournament enjoys widespread television coverage, ensuring that fans have ample opportunities to catch the action. The first round games will be broadcast across four major networks: CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. This extensive coverage guarantees that every game will be readily available to a vast audience.

In addition to traditional television broadcasts, streaming options provide alternative viewing experiences for fans on the go or those who prefer to watch on their computers, tablets, or mobile devices. Sling TV and Paramount+ will offer streaming coverage of select games, allowing viewers to customize their viewing experience and never miss a crucial moment. Paramount+ will primarily feature games broadcast on CBS.

The ability to stream games has significantly expanded the reach of March Madness, making it more accessible than ever before. Fans can now follow their favorite teams and players from anywhere with an internet connection, fueling the tournament’s popularity and solidifying its place as a premier sporting event.

Beyond the Games: Embracing the Madness

March Madness is more than just a basketball tournament; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It’s a time when workplaces become battlegrounds for bracket supremacy, when friendships are tested by rival allegiances, and when the impossible suddenly seems within reach. The tournament has an uncanny ability to capture the collective imagination, uniting millions of people in a shared experience of excitement, anticipation, and occasional heartbreak.

From the casual observer to the die-hard fan, everyone has a stake in March Madness. Whether you’re meticulously analyzing stats, relying on gut instinct, or simply picking teams based on their mascots, filling out a bracket is an essential part of the tournament experience. It’s a way to engage with the games, to invest in the outcomes, and to participate in the shared narrative of the tournament.

The possibility of witnessing a Cinderella story, a small school upsetting a basketball powerhouse, is a major part of the appeal. These improbable victories are not only thrilling to watch but also offer a potent reminder that anything is possible in sports and in life. March Madness is a celebration of the underdog, a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck.

So, as the tip-off draws near, embrace the madness. Dive into the brackets, analyze the matchups, and prepare for the unexpected. The first round is just the beginning of a long and winding road to the Final Four, but it’s a crucial stage where dreams are made, and brackets are broken. Get ready for the unparalleled excitement, drama, and unpredictability that defines March Madness.