2025 March Madness: Women's NCAA tournament schedule, dates, times

 ​The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, known as March Madness, is underway, featuring 68 teams competing for the national championship. Here's a comprehensive overview of the tournament's schedule, key dates, matchups, and recent developments.​

Tournament Schedule and Key Dates

. Selection Sunday: The tournament field was announced on March 16, 2025.​

. First Four: Took place on March 19-20, featuring teams seeded 65 through 68 competing for a spot in the main bracket.​

. First Round: Scheduled for March 21-22, where 64 teams will compete.​

. Second Round: Set for March 23-24, narrowing the field to the Sweet 16.​

. Sweet 16: Games will be held on March 28-29.​

. Elite Eight: Contests are on March 30-31.​

. Final Four: Semifinal games are on April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.​

. National Championship: The title game is on April 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, also at Amalie Arena.​

For a printable bracket and detailed schedule, visit the NCAA's official page. ​

Notable First-Round Matchups on March 21

. (6) Iowa vs. (11) Murray State: Tip-off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.​

. (2) UConn vs. (15) Arkansas State: Starts at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.​

. (5) Alabama vs. (12) Green Bay: Begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.​

. (2) NC State vs. (15) Vermont: Scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.​

. (6) West Virginia vs. (11) Columbia/Washington Winner: At 2 p.m. ET on ESPNews.​

. (3) Oklahoma vs. (14) FGCU: Tips off at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.​

. (1) Southern California vs. (16) UNC Greensboro: Game at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.​

. (7) Oklahoma State vs. (10) South Dakota State: Starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.​

A complete list of matchups and times is available on the NCAA's schedule. ​

Recent Developments and News

. Bracket Controversy: The selection committee's decisions have sparked debates, particularly regarding UCLA receiving the No. 1 overall seed over South Carolina. Additionally, Notre Dame's drop to a three-seed after a recent poor performance has raised eyebrows. ​

. Team Spotlight: UCLA, led by standout center Lauren Betts, is a favorite for the championship. Betts averages 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, making the Bruins a formidable force. ​

. First Four Highlights: In the First Four, Columbia secured a victory over Washington, advancing to face West Virginia in the first round.