March Madness NCAA Tournament

North Carolina guard RJ Davis celebrates after scoring against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton

March Madness tips off with the First Four in Dayton, with a mix of bubble teams who made the cut and smaller schools hoping to be this year’s Cinderella.

UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after making a basket while being fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton in the finals of the Big East Conference tournament, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In March Madness, the women still have more stars and perhaps more people watching too

Duke forward Cooper Flagg smiles before an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

This NCAA Tournament could have something the last two have lacked: A probable No. 1 overall pick

UConn guard Paige Bueckers, second from left, and forward Sarah Strong, right, laugh during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova in the semifinals of the Big East Conference tournament, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

UConn’s Paige Bueckers headlines list of 2025 WNBA draft prospects in NCAA Tournament

Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara (10) and Johni Broome (4) react to play against Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The Rise of the SEC: How a league known for the gridiron became kings of college basketball

The Brackets

NCAA Men’s Bracket

UCLA players walk off the field after a win over Creighton during a second-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

NCAA Women’s Bracket

AP Illustration / Annie Ng

What to know about March Madness if you don’t follow college basketball

The college basketball season is winding down, which means March Madness is upon us. The annual men’s and women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association tournaments are among the most closely watched sporting events in the U.S.

· BRIDGET BROWN

People line up to make sports bets at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City NJ on Friday March 19, 2021, the first full day of the NCAA March Madness tournament. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry,File)

Pursuit of glory? Cold, hard cash? A new poll breaks down why people fill out March Madness brackets

Men’s tournament

Virginia Commonwealth forward Christian Fermin celebrates after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic 10 tournament, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Virginia Commonwealth forward Christian Fermin celebrates after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic 10 tournament, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

March Madness: How to watch and what to watch for in the 2025 NCAA Tournament

The countdown to March Madness is on. The beloved annual tradition that is the NCAA Tournament will begin next week.

North Carolina's Elliot Cadeau (3) celebrates with teammate Jae'Lyn Withers (24) during the first half of a First Four college basketball game against San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

March Madness: Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four

Oklahoma State defeats Wichita State 89-79 in NIT

Nelson’s 26 lead Arkansas State over Saint Louis in NIT 103-78

Huff hits 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds left in triple OT as Chattanooga beats Middle Tennessee in NIT

Women’s tournament

South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley celebrates after their win against Texas in an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley celebrates after their win against Texas in an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

March Madness: How to watch the women’s NCAA Tournament and what to watch for

Women’s basketball has not slowed down at all this season as March Madness arrives. A year ago, the women’s NCAA championship game drew a bigger television audience than the men’s title game for the first time.

Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper directs her team during a second round college basketball game against North Carolina State in the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Missouri hires former Tennessee star and coach Kellie Harper as its new women’s basketball coach

Wednesday’s Time Schedule

Harvard’s Harmoni Turner is AP women’s basketball player of the week

Ivy League makes conference history with three women’s NCAA Tournament bids

More college basketball news

Davis’ 14 points help Kent State defeat St. Bonaventure 75-56 in NIT

Pierre scores 30, Jacksonville State knocks off Georgia Tech 81-64 in NIT

Alabama State players react to a TJ Madlock basket during the second half of a First Four college basketball game against Saint Francis in the NCAA Tournament, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Knox’s last-second layup lifts Alabama State over Saint Francis 70-68 in First Four

High Point players celebrate after winning the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Johnson City, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

High Point kept falling short of March Madness. Now the Panthers are finally getting their moment

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino admires the tournment trophy after an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

March Madness: Rick Pitino has No. 2 seed St. John’s back in NCAAs after latest coaching revival

West Virginia head coach Darian Devries yells from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Colorado in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Indiana hires Darian DeVries away from West Virginia as new head coach

Michigan center Vladislav Goldin (50) carries the trophy after an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Michigan’s Goldin is reunited with parents from Russia, hopes to show them NCAA Tournament run

Duke forward Cooper Flagg cuts the net after their win against Louisville after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Cooper Flagg has seized the spotlight all year. He’s the biggest star heading into March Madness

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts to a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears thankful to play in March Madness 15 months after shooting

Omaha head coach Chris Crutchfield directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 100-64. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Omaha Mavericks’ trash (can) turns into treasure with program earning its first March Madness bid

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) takes a rebound against Tennessee forward Felix Okpara (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

AP men’s player of the week: Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. pushes Gators to SEC title

Duke forward Cooper Flagg (2) dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

The Associated Press 2024-25 men’s college basketball All-America teams

UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Transfer portal and NIL are making it even more difficult to three-peat in college basketball

Auburn forward Johni Broome (4) shoots a layup against LSU forward Corey Chest (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest, File)

Johni Broome of Auburn, Cooper Flagg of Duke unanimous picks to lead the AP All-America team

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins, left, grabs a rebound from UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

JuJu Watkins driven to lead top-seeded USC on deeper run in women’s NCAA Tournament

Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey yells during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Clemson in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

First-year coaches Pope and Kelsey oversee quick turnarounds for Kentucky and Louisville

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) celebrates after a basket against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Zakai Zeigler eager to finish his March Madness tenure getting the Vols to their 1st Final Four

Notre Dame's Olivia Miles, right, attempts a shot ahead of Duke's Oluchi Okananwa, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Notre Dame looks to dynamic backcourt to regain momentum for March Madness

Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) puts up a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado in the Big 12 men's tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Addition of Milos Uzan helps top-seeded Houston Cougars reload for another March Madness run

Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV (4) heads to the basket against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Taylor looks to cap illustrious Texas A&M career with deep run in NCAA Tournament. Yale up first

Drake's Bennett Stirtz (14) looks to pass as Bradley's Christian Davis (5) defends during the first half of the championship game in the Missouri Valley Conference NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 9, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Drake Bulldogs are more bite than bark with a band of D2 transfers who followed their coach to Iowa

Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) passes the ball against Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Alabama’s bench could be key to the Tide making another deep run in the NCAA tourney

Florida Atlantic plays Dayton in NIT matchup

Stanford, CSU Northridge square off in NIT

San Francisco and Utah Valley play in NIT matchup

Alabama State squares off against Saint Francis (PA) in First 4 matchup

Arkansas State and Saint Louis square off in NIT matchup

San Jose State, Loyola Chicago play in NIT

Saint Joseph’s (PA), UAB play in NIT

San Diego State squares off against North Carolina in First 4 matchup