The opening day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament delivered its trademark excitement and unpredictability, with several lower-seeded teams toppling higher-ranked opponents. Notably, No. 12 seed McNeese State stunned No. 5 seed Clemson, capitalizing on Clemson’s historically low 13-point first half to secure a 69-67 victory. Similarly, No. 11 seed Drake upset No. 6 seed Missouri, marking their first NCAA tournament win in 54 years. These early upsets underscore the tournament’s reputation for unpredictability and set the stage for more thrilling matchups ahead.
Here is the complete schedule for today’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round games on Friday, March 21, 2025, including matchups, times, TV channels, point spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals:
All times Eastern
1. (8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Baylor
• Time: 12:15 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Spread: Mississippi State -1.5
• Moneyline: Mississippi State -125, Baylor +105
• Over/Under: 137.5
• Note: Baylor has struggled with consistency, while Mississippi State’s defense has kept them in close games all season.
2. (2) Alabama vs. (15) Robert Morris
• Time: 12:40 p.m.
• TV: truTV
• Spread: Alabama -22.5
• Moneyline: Alabama -5000, Robert Morris +1400
• Over/Under: 163.5
• Note: Alabama’s high-octane offense makes them a heavy favorite; Robert Morris will need a near-perfect performance to keep it close.
3. (3) Iowa State vs. (14) Lipscomb
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• TV: TNT
• Spread: Iowa State -18.5
• Moneyline: Iowa State -2000, Lipscomb +950
• Over/Under: 148.5
• Note: Iowa State’s defense ranks among the best, while Lipscomb’s up-tempo offense could make things interesting if they start hot.
4. (5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State
• Time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV: TBS
• Spread: Colorado State -2.5
• Moneyline: Colorado State -145, Memphis +125
• Over/Under: 141.5
• Note: Colorado State comes in hot and favored, partly due to Memphis missing star guard Tyrese Hunter.
5. (1) Duke vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s
• Time: 2:50 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Spread: Duke -29.5
• Moneyline: Duke -10000, Mount St. Mary’s +2000
• Over/Under: 149.5
• Note: Duke is a tournament powerhouse and is expected to cruise through this opening round.
6. (7) Saint Mary’s vs. (10) Vanderbilt
• Time: 3:15 p.m.
• TV: truTV
• Spread: Saint Mary’s -4.5
• Moneyline: Saint Mary’s -200, Vanderbilt +170
• Over/Under: 135.5
• Note: Saint Mary’s disciplined style will be tested against Vanderbilt’s more athletic, free-flowing attack.
7. (6) Ole Miss vs. (11) North Carolina
• Time: 4:05 p.m.
• TV: TNT
• Spread: North Carolina -1.5
• Moneyline: North Carolina -125, Ole Miss +105
• Over/Under: 155.5
• Note: UNC enters with momentum after a First Four win; Ole Miss looks to slow the tempo and force half-court play.
8. (4) Maryland vs. (13) Grand Canyon
• Time: 4:35 p.m.
• TV: TBS
• Spread: Maryland -14.5
• Moneyline: Maryland -1200, Grand Canyon +750
• Over/Under: 166.5
• Note: Maryland’s depth and shooting make them dangerous; Grand Canyon hopes to replicate the upsets we’ve already seen this tournament.
9. (1) Florida vs. (16) Norfolk State
• Time: 6:50 p.m.
• TV: TNT
• Spread: Florida -28.5
• Moneyline: Florida -20000, Norfolk State +2800
• Over/Under: 153.5
• Note: Florida is considered a strong contender for the title and is expected to roll through this matchup.
10. (3) Kentucky vs. (14) Troy
• Time: 7:10 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Spread: Kentucky -10.5
• Moneyline: Kentucky -650, Troy +450
• Over/Under: 145.5
• Note: Kentucky’s athleticism and depth are big advantages; Troy will need outside shooting to stay competitive.
11. (7) Marquette vs. (10) New Mexico
• Time: 7:25 p.m.
• TV: TBS
• Spread: Marquette -3.5
• Moneyline: Marquette -175, New Mexico +145
• Over/Under: 148.5
• Note: Rick Pitino’s scouting help for his son’s New Mexico squad makes this storyline extra interesting — watch Marquette’s Kam Jones (19.3 ppg).
12. (4) Arizona vs. (13) Akron
• Time: 7:35 p.m.
• TV: truTV
• Spread: Arizona -14.5
• Moneyline: Arizona -1600, Akron +750
• Over/Under: 166.5
• Note: Arizona’s explosive offense could overwhelm Akron early, but the Zips have a strong defense that could make it tighter than expected.
13. (8) UConn vs. (9) Oklahoma
• Time: 9:25 p.m.
• TV: TNT
• Point Spread: UConn favored by 4.5 points
• Moneyline: UConn -200, Oklahoma +165
• Over/Under: 147.5 points
• Note: UConn’s coach, Dan Hurley, has had mixed tournament performances, while Oklahoma’s Porter Moser seeks his first tournament win with the Sooners.
14. (6) Illinois vs. (11) Xavier
• Time: 9:45 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Point Spread: Illinois favored by 3.5 points
• Moneyline: Illinois -160, Xavier +135
• Over/Under: 160.5 points
• Note: Illinois is known for its inconsistency and will face Sean Miller’s Xavier, who has eight Sweet 16 appearances and comes off a First Four victory over Texas.
15. (2) Michigan State vs. (15) Bryant
• Time: 10:00 p.m.
• TV: TBS
• Point Spread: Michigan State favored by 17.5 points
• Moneyline: Michigan State -3000, Bryant +1200
• Over/Under: 150.5 points
• Note: Michigan State is heavily favored in this matchup.
16. (5) Oregon vs. (12) Liberty
• Time: 10:10 p.m.
• TV: truTV
• Point Spread: Oregon favored by 6.5 points
• Moneyline: Oregon -275, Liberty +220
• Over/Under: 140.5 points
• Note: Oregon is favored, but Liberty aims to pull off an upset.
Please note that odds are subject to change.
Who do you like and who do you have upsetting?