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Selection Sunday is the day when the 68-team fields for the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are revealed. It is also the official start of March Madness. The Selection Committee announces the teams that will be playing and the tournament bracket. The men's tournament is aired on CBS, while the women's tournament is aired on ESPN. Selection Sunday for the men's tournament begins at 6 p.m. ET, while the women's tournament begins at 8 p.m. ET.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, March 16, 2025 |
| Time | 6 p.m. ET |
| Channels | CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Paramount+, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews |
| Teams | 68 men's and women's college basketball teams |
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What You'll Learn
- Selection Sunday occurs on the third Sunday in March
- The 68-team fields for the men's and women's tournaments are revealed
- The men's tournament airs on CBS, and the women's on ESPN
- The men's bracket is revealed at 6 p.m. ET, and the women's at 8 p.m. ET
- The First Four games for men and women take place on March 18-19
Selection Sunday occurs on the third Sunday in March
Selection Sunday, which occurs on the third Sunday in March, marks the official start of March Madness in the NCAA basketball tournament. On this day, the 68-team fields for the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are revealed, setting the schedule for the upcoming tournament.
In 2025, Selection Sunday took place on March 16, with the men's tournament bracket being unveiled at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and the women's tournament selection shown at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The men's games then commenced with the First Four on March 18, while the women's tournament kicked off with their First Four games on March 19.
The First Four games represent the opening round of March Madness, with 68 college basketball teams competing in a single-elimination format to become the NCAA Division I champions. The excitement of Selection Sunday lies in discovering which teams have secured a spot in the tournament and predicting their paths to the Final Four and championship game.
While the specific date of Selection Sunday may vary slightly from year to year, it consistently occurs on the third Sunday in March. This timing marks the beginning of March Madness, with the subsequent weeks filled with thrilling basketball action as teams battle it out on the court.
For fans, Selection Sunday is a highly anticipated event as it provides the first glimpse into the bracket and the potential matchups that will unfold during the tournament. It sets the stage for the excitement and drama of March Madness, with fans eagerly filling out their brackets and making their predictions for the road to the championship.
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The 68-team fields for the men's and women's tournaments are revealed
Selection Sunday is a highly anticipated event in the world of college basketball, marking the official start of the famous March Madness. On this day, the brackets for the NCAA tournaments are revealed, setting the stage for the thrilling basketball action to come. In 2025, Selection Sunday took place on March 16, and it was the moment when the 68-team fields for the men's and women's tournaments were unveiled.
For the men's tournament, the bracket reveal is a crucial moment as it sets the stage for the upcoming games. The 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament kicked off with the First Four games on March 18-19 at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The tournament is not just about the games themselves but also the storylines and performances that capture the imagination of fans and experts alike. For instance, Drake made its third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, showcasing a unique style of gameplay that slows down the pace and frustrates opponents. Led by first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the Bulldogs kept their mistakes to a minimum and ranked last in tempo nationwide, per KenPom.com.
Another team to watch out for was the VCU Rams, known for their gritty defensive play and prowess on the glass. Led by second-year head coach Ryan Odom, the Rams showcased a balanced offensive attack with four senior guards averaging over 10 points per game. Their defensive stinginess and ability to limit opponents' three-point opportunities positioned them as a bracket-busting contender.
On the women's side, the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament also featured a 68-team field. The SEC and Big Ten conferences were well-represented, with ESPN's Charlie Creme projecting two teams from each conference as the No. 1 seeds. The highest-seeded teams in each region hosted the first two rounds before advancing to the Regional sites in Spokane or Birmingham. The women's tournament games were aired across the ESPN suite, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
Selection Sunday is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a pivotal moment that shapes the entire March Madness season. The reveal of the 68-team fields for both the men's and women's tournaments sets the stage for intense competition, upsets, and memorable moments that captivate college basketball fans across the nation.
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The men's tournament airs on CBS, and the women's on ESPN
Selection Sunday, which took place on March 16, 2025, at 6 pm ET, marked the official start of March Madness and the NCAA basketball tournament. On this day, the Selection Committee revealed the full NCAA tournament bracket for both the men's and women's teams.
The men's tournament bracket was unveiled at 6 pm ET on CBS, with the men's First Four games tipping off on Tuesday, March 18, on TruTV. The men's tournament will also be broadcast across TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and streamed on Paramount+.
The women's tournament selection show, on the other hand, aired at 8 pm ET on ESPN. The women's First Four games began on Wednesday, March 19. The women's tournament will be aired across the ESPN suite, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
This year's March Madness promises high drama, with the Tar Heels and Longhorns at the centre of the action. Their chances of making the field of 68 were diminished by Colorado State's run through the Mountain West Conference tournament. Meanwhile, Auburn is favoured to win the men's NCAA tournament, and California schools UCLA, San Diego State, Saint Mary's, and UC San Diego are expected to make the men's March Madness tournament.
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The men's bracket is revealed at 6 p.m. ET, and the women's at 8 p.m. ET
Selection Sunday is an important date in the NCAA basketball calendar, marking the official start of March Madness and the revealing of the tournament brackets. On this day, the NCAA Selection Committee announces which teams will be playing and the tournament bracket for both the men's and women's NCAA teams.
In 2025, Selection Sunday took place on March 16, with the men's bracket revealed at 6 p.m. ET and the women's bracket at 8 p.m. ET. The men's tournament coverage began at 3 p.m. PDT, while the women's tournament started at 5 p.m. PDT. The men's bracket was aired on CBS, and the women's on ESPN. Streaming options for the men's selection included Paramount+, while Fubo streamed the women's selection.
The men's NCAA tournament then kicked off with the First Four games on March 18, followed by the first round on March 20-21. The women's tournament followed a similar schedule, with the First Four taking place on March 19-20 and the first round on March 21-22.
Selection Sunday is highly anticipated by fans, who can then fill in their brackets and predict which teams will advance to the Final Four and the championship game.
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The First Four games for men and women take place on March 18-19
The First Four games mark the official start of the NCAA March Madness tournament, with 68 college basketball teams competing for the NCAA Division I championship in both men's and women's basketball. The tournament begins with Selection Sunday, where the NCAA Selection Committee announces the teams that will be playing and reveals the tournament bracket.
For the 2025 tournament, Selection Sunday took place on March 16 at 6 p.m. ET, with the men's bracket revealed on CBS and the women's bracket revealed on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The First Four games are the opening matches of the tournament, with the first round of the men's tournament taking place on March 20-21 and the women's first round on March 21-22.
The men's NCAA tournament games will be aired across CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. The women's tournament will be broadcast on the ESPN suite, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews. Fans can also stream the games through live TV streaming services or with a subscription to Paramount+ and Max for the men's games.
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Frequently asked questions
Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA basketball tournament starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16.
You can watch the Selection Sunday for the men's tournament on CBS at 6 p.m. ET. The women's tournament selection show will air live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
After Selection Sunday, the fans can fill in their brackets and lock in their picks. The NCAA men's basketball tournament will then kick off with the first four games in Dayton, Ohio, starting Tuesday, March 18. The women's tournament will kick off with their first four games beginning Wednesday, March 19.
