2025 March Madness: First Four Preview

As excitement builds for the start of college basketball in 2025, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exciting edition of March Madness.

All eyes are on the reigning champions, the Connecticut Huskies, who will embark on their quest for a historic three-peat. However, they face formidable competition from Duke, Houston, Auburn, and Florida, setting the stage for an intense battle for the championship title.

The NCAA Tournament will begin with the First Four on Tuesday, March 18, followed by First Round games on Thursday, March 20. The road to the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio promises to be filled with epic showdowns and Cinderella stories as teams battle for a shot at glory. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, leading up to the highly anticipated grand finale on Monday, April 7.

Upcoming First Four Matchups

St. Francis vs. Alabama State: Intriguing showdown between two teams eager to make a statement in the opening round.

San Diego St. vs. Carolina del Norte: A clash that promises high-stakes drama as both teams look to set the tone for their trip to the Tournament.

American University vs. Mount St. Mary’s: A tantalizing battle with both teams aiming to claim a place in the later rounds.

Texas vs. Xavier: A stellar showdown featuring two powerhouse programs, setting the stage for an intense and hotly contested game.

The First Four are often the scene of surprises and thrilling underdog triumphs, adding an extra layer of excitement to the Tournament. As basketball enthusiasts anxiously await the tip-off, the stage is set for a riveting display of skill, determination, and the indomitable spirit that makes March Madness a spectacle like no other.

2025 March Madness: First Four Preview – St. Francis vs. Alabama State

Alabama State’s ability to play at a faster pace could pose a challenge for Saint Francis, who may not be accustomed to the aggressive defensive style employed by SWAC teams.

The Hornets closed the season in impressive fashion, winning 7 of their last eight regular season games and securing their spot in the NCAA Tournament with three close wins in as many days.

With experienced ball-handling skills, particularly from senior CJ Hines and sophomore Amarr Knox, Alabama State is poised to create numerous scoring opportunities against Saint Francis, whose defense has shown vulnerabilities in containing dribble penetration.

Despite Alabama State’s deficiencies in shooting, Saint Francis will likely struggle to handle the ball under the pressure applied by the Hornets, who rank in the top 100 in turnover percentage.

For this game, our prediction is a win for St. Francis.

St. Francis vs. Alabama State Betting Pick: St. Francis

2025 March Madness: First Four Preview – San Diego St. vs. North Carolina

Two experienced NCAA Tournament teams, North Carolina and San Diego State, will play among the First Four on Tuesday night. The victor will face Ole Miss in the first round of the South Region.

Despite both teams barely making the field of 68 through play-in play, North Carolina has been having a challenging season. The key to North Carolina’s success in this game could be in their strong three-point shooting, which has been at 42% over the last month and helped them finish the regular season with an 8-2 record.

On the other hand, San Diego State’s defense while allowing a high rate of three-point shots, may struggle against North Carolina’s improved shooting. Although North Carolina’s defense has been reliable all season long, their offense gives confidence that they can beat San Diego State in the First Four and cover the spread.

For this game, our winner’s chip is in North Carolina.

San Diego St. vs. North Carolina Betting Pick: North Carolina

2025 March Madness: First Four Preview: American vs. Mount St. Mary’s

American University earned its first tournament berth since 2014 by capturing the Patriot League title with a hard-fought victory over the Navy. The Eagles excel defensively, ranking second in adjusted defensive efficiency in the conference, while their offense relies heavily on three-point shooting with a 35% conversion rate. Playing at a slow pace, American sets the stage for a deliberate, low-possession game.

On the other hand, Mount St.Mary’s enters the Tournament with a touch of March magic, overcoming injuries to key players during the previous Tournament. Their defense shined in the conference tournament, holding opponents to low scores and securing the conference bid through strong defensive play at a slow pace.

Both teams show strengths and weaknesses: American’s 3-point shooting and deliberate pace can lead to a low-scoring game, while Mount St.Mary’s defensive prowess, despite missing key players, promises a tough contest. Ultimately, the victor will face Duke in the first round.

For this match, our prediction is a win for American.

American vs. Mount St. Mary’s Betting Pick: American

2025 March Madness: First Four Preview: Texas vs. Xavier

The Xavier Musketeers will take on Texas, marking the fourth meeting between the two teams in the Big Dance since 1990.

Xavier’s most recent NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2023, concluding Sean Miller’s first season in his second tenure as Xavier’s head coach. The Musketeers advanced to the Sweet 16 by defeating Kennesaw State and Pittsburgh but fell to Texas in Kansas City.

Xavier was defeated by Marquette in this year’s Big East tournament, finishing with a 13-7 conference record and 21-11 overall.

Despite securing the most losses among at-large selections, Texas is part of an SEC Conference that sent 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns overcame a 6-12 conference record, which tied for 13th in the SEC, with the help of their challenging schedule and a net rating of 39.

Texas also secured seven Quad wins, a significant metric considered by the selection committee, with only 18 teams in the nation with more Quad wins.

For this matchup, our winner’s chip goes to Texas.

Texas vs. Xavier Betting Pick: Texas