As March Madness 2025 approaches, college basketball fans are gearing up for an exciting tournament filled with surprises and upsets. With conference tournaments underway, teams are vying for automatic bids to secure their spots in the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is just around the corner, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic Bids: 31 teams will earn automatic bids through conference championships.
- Bubble Teams: Several teams are on the bubble, needing strong performances to secure at-large bids.
- Selection Sunday: The final bracket will be revealed on March 16 at 6 p.m. ET.
Automatic Bids Overview
The NCAA Tournament will feature 68 teams, with 31 automatic bids awarded to conference champions. As of now, several teams have already clinched their spots:
| Conference | Champion | Record |
|---|---|---|
| ASUN | Lipscomb | 25-9 |
| Big South | High Point | 29-5 |
| Missouri Valley | Drake | 30-3 |
| Ohio Valley | SIU Edwardsville | 22-11 |
| Summit | Omaha | 22-12 |
The Bubble Watch
With the regular season concluding, many teams find themselves on the bubble, fighting for a chance to enter the tournament. Here are some notable bubble teams:
- North Carolina
- Texas
- Boise State
- Ohio State
These teams must perform well in their respective conference tournaments to improve their chances of making the cut.
Upcoming Conference Championships
The following conference championships are crucial for teams looking to secure automatic bids:
- Big Ten: March 12-16
- ACC: March 11-15
- SEC: March 12-16
- Big 12: March 11-15
Each of these tournaments will provide opportunities for teams to either solidify their positions or create chaos by stealing bids from bubble teams.
Selection Sunday Details
Fans eagerly await Selection Sunday, which will take place on March 16. The NCAA will announce the full bracket, including the 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large bids. This year’s Final Four is scheduled for April 5-7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
As the excitement builds, teams are preparing for the final push to secure their spots in the tournament. With the potential for upsets and surprises, March Madness 2025 promises to be a thrilling event for basketball enthusiasts everywhere.
Sources
- Who’s in, out in March Madness race?, USA Today.
- Illinois team stalls first quarter to upset No. 1, USA TODAY High School Sports.
- Latest look at who’s in, out, USA Today.
- Full list of conference champs, USA Today.
- March Madness bracket tracker: Updated automatic bids for 2025 NCAA Tournament, Sporting News.
