March Madness 2025 is officially underway, and Day 1 of the men’s tournament did not disappoint! The first round delivered thrilling games, bracket-busting upsets, and memorable performances. From buzzer-beaters to dominant displays, Thursday’s action set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. This article provides a comprehensive recap of all the day’s games, scores, and highlights.
We’ll cover the major upsets, including Drake’s victory over Missouri and McNeese’s stunning win against Clemson. We will also recap key games from teams like Michigan, St. John’s, Texas Tech and Arkansas, highlighting the top performers and pivotal moments that defined the day. Get ready to relive the excitement and stay informed about the latest results in the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament!
Men’s March Madness Games Today
All times Eastern. Final scores will be updated.
Thursday, March 20
- (9) Creighton 89, (8) Louisville 75
- (4) Purdue 75, (13) High Point 63
- (3) Wisconsin 85, (14) Montana 66
- (1) Houston 78, (16) SIU Edwardsville 40
- (1) Auburn 83, (16) Alabama State 63
- (12) McNeese 69, (5) Clemson 67
- (6) BYU 80, (11) VCU 71
- (8) Gonzaga 89, (9) Georgia 68
March Madness Games Tonight
All times Eastern. Final scores will be updated.
Thursday, March 20
- (2) Tennessee 77, (15) Wofford 62
- (10) Arkansas 79, (7) Kansas 72
- (4) Texas A&M 80, (13) Yale 71
- (11) Drake 67, (6) Missouri 57
- (7) UCLA 72, (10) Utah State 47
- (2) St. John’s 83, (15) Omaha 53
- (5) Michigan 68, (12) UC San Diego 65
- (3) Texas Tech 82, (14) UNC Wilmington 72
Texas Tech Survives
Texas Tech survived UNC Wilmington with an 82-72 win, led by Kerwin Walton’s 27 points and eight 3-pointers. Kevin Overton added 18 points off the bench. The first day of first-round NCAA Tournament games is complete.
St. John’s Handles Omaha, Sets Up Matchup with Arkansas
St. John’s defeated Omaha with ease 83-53, with RJ Luis leading with 22 points. This sets up a second-round matchup between coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari of Arkansas.
Michigan Advances with 68-65 Win Over UC San Diego
Michigan held on for a 68-65 win over UC San Diego. Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf were held to 14 and nine points, respectively, while UCSD’s Tyler McGhie led the Tritons with 25 points.
Drake Completes Upset Over Missouri
Drake defeats Missouri 67-57 behind Bennett Stirtz’ 21 points, improving to 31-3. The Bulldogs join McNeese in the Round of 32.
Arkansas Beats Kansas 79-72
Arkansas hung on for a victory over Kansas, which suffers its first loss in the first round since 2006. Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis led the Razorbacks with 22 and 18 points, respectively.
Tennessee Moves On With Win Over Wofford
Tennessee defeated Wofford 77-62, with Chaz Lanier leading all scorers with 29 points and Zakai Ziegler adding 12 points.
Gonzaga Wins, Sets Up Second-Round Matchup with Houston
Gonzaga defeated Georgia 89-68. Khalif Battle, Braden Huff, and Nolan Hickman combined for 60 points. Gonzaga will face No. 1 seed Houston in the second round.
McNeese Upsets Clemson, Advances to Second Round
McNeese upsets Clemson in the first round. Brandon Murray led with 21 points. McNeese will face Purdue in the second round.
Auburn Advances to Second Round
Auburn defeated Alabama State 83-63. Miles Kelly had 23 points, and Johni Broome finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Auburn will meet Creighton in the second round.
Wisconsin Moves On to Second Round
Wisconsin defeated Montana 85-66. Five players finished in double figures. The Badgers will take on BYU in the second round.
Purdue Gets Past High Point
Purdue defeated High Point 75-63. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Purdue will take on the winner of Clemson vs. McNeese.
Creighton Knocks Off Louisville
Creighton defeated Louisville 89-75. The Bluejays will advance to play the winner of Auburn and Alabama State.
Where to Watch March Madness 2025
- TV channels: CBS | TBS | TNT | truTV
- Streaming: March Madness live | |
The 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament will be broadcast across multiple TV channels and streaming platforms, including CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Per a from the NCAA and Turner Sports:
- CBS will broadcast 24 games throughout the tournament including the national championship, Final Four semifinals, Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and first and second rounds.
- TBS will televise 18 games, including the Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and first and second round games.
- TruTV will air or simulcast a total of 21 games, including the First Four games, Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and first and second round games.
- TNT will televise 12 games, including First and Second round matchups
March Madness Live will carry all NCAA Tournament games, though fans hoping to use this option must provide a valid cable login. For games that air on the Turner broadcast network (TBS, TNT and truTV), is an option. also carries CBS and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Conclusion
Day 1 of March Madness 2025 delivered thrilling action, highlighted by significant upsets and dominant performances. Teams like Drake and McNeese showcased the unpredictability of the tournament, while powerhouses such as Michigan, St. John’s and Arkansas secured important victories.
As the tournament progresses, these early results set the stage for exciting matchups and potential Cinderella stories. The key takeaways from Day 1 include the importance of strong guard play, the impact of coaching, and the ever-present possibility of upsets. College basketball fans can look forward to more intense competition and unforgettable moments as March Madness continues.
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