Women’s March Madness 2025: Selection Sunday Live Updates and Viewing Guide

Women’s March Madness is upon us, and the excitement is palpable as the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket is released on Selection Sunday. This year, the tournament promises thrilling matchups and intense competition, with 68 teams vying for the championship.

Top seeds like UCLA, USC, South Carolina, and Texas lead the pack, each with their star players ready to make history. Let’s dive into the key highlights and matchups of this year’s tournament.

Top Seeds and Key Players to Watch

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament features some of the most talented teams and players in college basketball. Among the favorites to win are:

• Lauren Betts and the No. 1 overall seed UCLA Bruins
• Paige Bueckers with No. 2 seed UConn Huskies
• JuJu Watkins leading the No. 1 seed USC Trojans
• Madison Booker and the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns

These players have been pivotal in their teams’ success throughout the season, and they are expected to shine in the tournament.

UCLA Bruins: A Historic First

For the first time in program history, the UCLA Bruins have earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women’s tournament. Led by Lauren Betts, the Bruins will face the winner of UC San Diego vs. Southern in the First Four. This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season.

South Carolina’s Surprising Seed

South Carolina, which has been the No. 1 overall seed every year since 2021, finds itself in an unfamiliar position this year. Despite a stellar season, the Gamecocks are the No. 1 seed in the Birmingham 2 Regional, not the overall top seed. Head coach Dawn Staley expressed her surprise, emphasizing the team’s strong resume and numerous Quad 1 wins.

Regional Brackets Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at the regional brackets and the matchups to watch in the first round:

Spokane Regional 1

• No. 1 UCLA vs. UC San Diego/Southern winner
• No. 8 Richmond vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech
• No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Ball State
• No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon
• No. 6 Florida State vs. No. 11 George Mason
• No. 3 LSU vs. No. 14 San Diego State
• No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Harvard
• No. 2 NC State vs. No. 15 Vermont

UCLA’s path to the Final Four will be tested by strong contenders like NC State and LSU.

Birmingham Regional 2

• No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 16 Tennessee Tech
• No. 8 Utah vs. No. 9 Indiana
• No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 12 Green Bay
• No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Norfolk State
• No. 6 West Virginia vs. No. 11 Columbia/Washington winner
• No. 3 UNC vs. No. 14 Oregon State
• No. 7 Vanderbilt vs. No. 10 Oregon
• No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Lehigh

South Carolina’s quest for another championship will be closely watched, especially given their recent seeding controversy.

Birmingham Regional 3

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 16 High Point/Washington winner
• No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Creighton
• No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 12 South Florida
• No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 13 Montana State
• No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Iowa State/Princeton winner
• No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin
• No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 10 Nebraska
• No. 2 TCU vs. No. 15 FDU

Texas, led by Madison Booker, will aim to dominate their region and secure a spot in the Final Four.

Region 4

• No. 1 USC vs. No. 16 UNC Greensboro
• No. 8 California vs. No. 9 Mississippi St.
• No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 12 Fairfield
• No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Liberty
• No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 11 Murray State
• No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast
• No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 South Dakota State
• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Arkansas State

USC, with JuJu Watkins at the helm, will need to navigate through a challenging bracket to reach the Final Four.

First-Round Schedule Highlights

The first-round games are set to provide fans with thrilling basketball action. Here are some key matchups to watch:

Friday’s Games

• 11:30 a.m. No. 11 Princeton/Iowa State vs. No. 6 Michigan (ESPN2)
• Noon No. 13 Liberty vs. No. 4 Kentucky (ESPN)
• 1:30 p.m. No. 9 Indiana vs. No. 8 Utah (ESPN2)
• 2 p.m. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (ESPN)
• 2:30 p.m. No. 12 Fairfield vs. No. 5 Kansas State (ESPNews)
• 3:30 p.m. No. 15 FDU at No. 2 TCU (ESPN2)
• 3:30 p.m. No. 13 Grand Canyon at No. 4 Baylor (ESPNU)
• 4 p.m. No. 16 Tennessee Tech at No. 1 South Carolina (ESPN)

Saturday’s Games

• Noon No. 11 Murray State at No. 6 Iowa (ESPN)
• 1 p.m. No. 15 Arkansas State at No. 2 UConn (ABC)
• 1:30 p.m. No. 12 Green Bay vs. No. 5 Alabama (ESPN2)
• 2 p.m. No. 15 Vermont vs. No. 2 NC State (ESPN)
• 2 p.m. No. 11 Washington/Columbia vs. No. 6 West Virginia (ESPNews)

Notable Snubs and Surprises

As with any tournament, there are always teams that feel they deserved a better seed or were snubbed entirely. This year, Stanford’s absence is particularly noteworthy. For the first time since 1987, the Cardinal will miss the NCAA tournament, ending a streak of 36 consecutive appearances.

Additionally, Ole Miss was on the bubble to land a top-16 seed but ultimately fell short. The Rebels will face No. 12 Ball State in Waco, Texas, on Friday.

Notre Dame’s Motivational Drop

Notre Dame, a No. 1 seed in the last field projection, plummeted to a No. 3 seed in the Birmingham 3 regional. The Irish will play Stephen F. Austin at home in the first round. This drop could serve as motivation for Notre Dame to prove the selection committee wrong.

Historical Context and Future Prospects

South Carolina is aiming to become the first school since UConn to repeat as national champion.

Only three schools—UConn, Tennessee, and Southern California—have achieved back-to-back championships since the tournament began in 1982.

This year’s tournament also marks a significant change with the introduction of two super regionals, each featuring two 16-team brackets.

This new format will add another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.

For more details on the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament bracket and to follow live updates, visit USA TODAY Sports.