2025 March Madness: First Round Preview

The thrill of March Madness is upon us once again, a time when unpredictability reigns supreme, and the dreams of underdogs collide with the ambitions of powerful programs.This annual spectacle has a way of captivating even the most casual basketball fan, as the intensity of the knockout games generates an atmosphere of unbridled excitement and gut-wrenching suspense.

Fortunes can change in the blink of an eye, and the tournament landscape is forever altered by the heroics of anonymous players or the heartbreaking stumbles of heavily favored teams. This is the beauty of March Madness, a celebration of the unpredictable, where Cinderella stories are written, and the legacies are etched in the books of college basketball history.

2025 March Madness Format

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will follow the traditional format, with 68 teams competing for the national championship. The action begins with the First Round, also known as the round of 64, where the field is narrowed to 32 teams.

The First and Second Rounds will be held in eight different cities this year: Lexington, Kentucky; Providence, Rhode Island; Seattle; Wichita, Kansas; Cleveland; Denver; Milwaukee; and Raleigh, North Carolina. These first rounds promise exciting matchups and the possibility of big surprises.

The teams that survive the first two rounds will advance to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds. The regional semifinals (Sweet Sixteen) and finals (Elite Eight) will be held in Newark, New Jersey (East Region), Atlanta (South Region), Indianapolis (Midwest Region), and San Francisco (West Region).

After the Elite Eight, only four teams will converge on Houston for the Final Four. The national semifinals will be played on April 5, with the championship game scheduled for April 7, where a new NCAA Men’s Basketball champion will be crowned.

2025 March Madness: First-Round Betting Odds

2025 March Madness First Round Preview – Auburn vs. Alabama State

The Auburn Tigers, who have recently suffered losses in three of their last four games, are eager to secure a significant victory against in-state rivals Alabama State Hornets during the opening Round of the NCAA Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky.

Despite losing to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Tennessee in their recent games, the Tigers remain optimistic about their chances in March Madness, as they are the top seed in the South Region.

Auburn previously defeated the Hornets 82-62 early last season. Right now, Alabama State is a 31.5-point underdog on college basketball betting lines, despite their First Four victory in the NCAA Tournament over St. Francis (Pennsylvania).

To improve their performance, the Tigers need to get more players involved alongside standout center John Broome, and they are expected to make a heavy impact in the tournament.

For this game, our prediction is a win for Auburn.

Auburn vs. Alabama State Betting tip: Auburn

2025 March Madness First Round Preview – Tennessee vs. Wofford

The NCAA Tournament has arrived, and this sets the stage for potential excitement when the Tennessee Volunteers take on the Wofford Terriers.

This matchup could lead to a promising winning streak for Tennessee or an upset, considering Wofford is the clear underdog in this series. Tennessee enters the game as the No. 2 seed after a successful 27-7 season and a 12-6 record in the SEC, nearly clinching the SEC Tournament.

Meanwhile, Wofford got off to a rough start, losing five of their first seven games, but then rebounded to finish the season with a 19-15 overall record and 10-8 in the SoCon.

While the Volunteers are clear favorites for the first-round matchup, the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament means Tennessee must remain prepared to avoid potential upsets.

For this game, our prediction is a win for Tennessee.

Tennessee vs. Wofford Betting tip: Tennessee

2025 March Madness First Round Preview – Gonzaga vs. Georgia

The Zags (25-8, 14-4 WCC) and Bulldogs (20-12, 8-10 SEC) will compete for a spot in the second round and a chance to play No.1 Houston. Despite being ranked in the top 10 of the NET rankings, Gonzaga, placed eighth in its 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, was initially a 4.5-point favorite over Georgia, but now at 6.5 points.

Georgia finished the season with 20 wins, showing solid rebounding and notable victories. Gonzaga, ranked ninth in the country, possesses a top-notch offense and an improved defense. While Georgia’s offense could pose a challenge, Gonzaga, with a history of NCAA Tournament success under Coach Few, is well-equipped for the showdown and advance to the second round.

For this matchup, our prediction is a win for Gonzaga.

Gonzaga vs. Georgia Betting tip: Gonzaga

2025 March Madness First Round Preview – UCLA vs. Utah State

The matchup between #7 seed UCLA and #10 seed Utah State has the potential to be an early-round winner.

Utah State surprised many with an impressive start but faltered towards the end of the season after securing an almost assured berth in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA experienced losing and winning streaks during the season, finishing with some inconsistency.

The winner of this game will likely face Tennessee, barring an exceptional performance by Wofford, which is truly unthinkable. Utah State excels at shooting, particularly when they achieve a field goal shooting percentage of 43% or better.

While UCLA’s defense allows opponents to shoot fairly well, they make up for it with strong turnovers. UCLA’s performance can vary greatly depending on the day, making them unpredictable.

Both teams struggle with free throws, and UCLA’s rebounding woes could be a key factor in the game. Overall, Utah State’s proficiency in shooting and UCLA’s unpredictable nature make this matchup intriguing and difficult to predict.

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

UCLA vs. Utah State Betting tip: UCLA