Hot start to Tournament - Get your brackets filled out for the upcoming games

The 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has commenced with exhilarating play-in games, setting the stage for the main bracket. Here's a detailed look at the recent outcomes and the anticipated matchups ahead.

Play-In Game Recaps: Tuesday March 18

(16) Alabama State vs. (16) Saint Francis (PA):

In a game that epitomized tournament drama, Alabama State edged out Saint Francis with a 70-68 victory. With the score tied at 68 and only 3.4 seconds remaining, Alabama State's Micah Simpson executed a full-court pass to Amarr Knox, who converted the game-winning layup. Knox led his team with 16 points, while Juan Cranford Jr. topped Saint Francis with 17 points. This win marked Alabama State's inaugural NCAA Tournament victory.

(11) North Carolina vs. (11) San Diego State:

North Carolina showcased their dominance with a commanding 95-68 win over San Diego State. RJ Davis spearheaded the Tar Heels' offense, contributing 26 points. North Carolina's efficient shooting in the first half established a substantial lead that San Diego State couldn't overcome. The Aztecs struggled offensively, shooting only 27% in the first half.

Upcoming Play-In Matchups: Wednesday March 19

(16) Mount St. Mary's vs. (16) American University:

These teams vie for a spot in the main bracket, with the winner set to face the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils. Mount St. Mary's boasts a strong rebounding presence, particularly with junior Dola Adebayo anchoring the paint. American University relies heavily on their perimeter shooting, making this a classic clash between interior strength and outside accuracy.

(11) Xavier vs. (11) Texas:

This matchup features two programs with contrasting narratives. Xavier's Zach Freemantle, returning from injury, and freshman Ryan Conwell have been pivotal in their recent performances. Texas, despite its talent, has faced inconsistencies this season, leading to questions about their postseason potential. The Longhorns' coach is under scrutiny, adding pressure to this high-stakes game.

Big Matchups to Watch on Thursday March 20

(1) Kansas vs. (16) Longwood:

Top-seeded Kansas begins their title chase against Longwood, a team that surprised many by winning their conference tournament. The Jayhawks are led by All-American forward Jalen Wilson, who will be a tough challenge for Longwood’s defense. Kansas will look to make an early statement, but Longwood hopes to pull off a historic upset.

(8) Michigan State vs. (9) Memphis:

A classic battle between a defensive powerhouse and an explosive offense, Michigan State’s disciplined approach clashes with Memphis’ high-paced attack. Tyson Walker will lead the Spartans against the Tigers’ dynamic scorer, Jahvon Quinerly. This game is expected to go down to the wire.

(5) Tennessee vs. (12) New Mexico State:

The ever-dangerous 5-12 matchup features Tennessee’s physical defense against a red-hot New Mexico State squad. The Volunteers are favored, but the Aggies' three-point shooting could be the key to an upset.

(6) Kentucky vs. (11) Arizona State:

Kentucky enters the tournament with a mix of youth and experience, while Arizona State is fueled by their star guard, Frankie Collins. The Wildcats’ size advantage will be tested against Arizona State’s speed and perimeter shooting.

Fun Bracket Facts

The first game curse: 

Every year, thousands of brackets are busted with the very first game of the tournament. In 2023, over 60% of brackets had their first wrong pick in Game 1.

How long does perfection last? 

On average, most perfect brackets don’t make it past the first 10 games of the tournament. By the end of the first round, 99.9% of brackets are already busted.

The longest a bracket has stayed perfect: 

The record for the longest streak of correct picks belongs to an Ohio resident in 2019, who correctly picked the first 49 games before finally missing one in the Sweet 16.

Odds of a perfect bracket: 

The chance of picking every single game correctly is estimated at 1 in 9.2 quintillion—starting with the Round of 64, all 63 games (32 first-round games, 16 second-round games, 8 Sweet 16 games, 4 Elite Eight games, 2 Final Four games, and the championship game).

Pregame Like A Champion

Make sure to get your brackets filled out, lock in on the action, and keep an eye out for future Pregame Sports bar crawls for the best action at the best sports bars around.