The excitement of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is here, and the madness is in full swing! Friday, March 21, marks the start of the first round, with a packed schedule of games that promise thrilling moments and unforgettable performances. As fans gear up for the action, the burning question remains: Who will emerge victorious and claim the championship in Tampa this April? Top contenders like South Carolina, a two-time champion in the last three years; USC, powered by the phenomenal JuJu Watkins; UCLA, riding high after a Big Ten title win; and Texas, a strong competitor despite falling to South Carolina in the SEC final, are all in the mix.
But March Madness isn’t just about the favorites—it’s about the unpredictability. Will we witness shocking upsets, buzzer-beating drama, or an underdog team making a Cinderella run? That’s the magic of this tournament. Stay tuned as we provide live updates, scores, highlights, and analysis from today’s first-round games.
Today’s Women’s March Madness Schedule
All times Eastern, Friday, March 21, 2025
- (6) Michigan vs. (11) Iowa State | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN2 (Stream on Fubo)
- (4) Kentucky vs. (13) Liberty | Noon | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
- (8) Utah vs. (9) Indiana | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Stream on Fubo)
- (3) Notre Dame vs. (14) Stephen F. Austin | 2:00 p.m. | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
- (5) Kansas State vs. (12) Fairfield | 2:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Stream on Fubo)
- (4) Baylor vs. (13) Grand Canyon | 3:30 p.m. | ESPNU (Stream on Fubo)
- (2) TCU vs. (15) FDU | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Stream on Fubo)
- (1) South Carolina vs. (16) Tennessee Tech | 4:00 p.m. | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
- (7) Vanderbilt vs. (10) Oregon | 5:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Stream on Fubo)
- (4) Ohio State vs. (13) Montana State | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Stream on Fubo)
- (5) Ole Miss vs. (12) Ball State | 6:00 p.m. | ESPNU (Stream on Fubo)
- (7) Louisville vs. (10) Nebraska | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
- (8) Richmond vs. (9) Georgia Tech | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Stream on Fubo)
- (2) Duke vs. (15) Lehigh | 8:00 p.m. | ESPNU (Stream on Fubo)
- (5) Tennessee vs. (12) South Florida | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
- (1) UCLA vs. (16) Southern | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN (Stream on Fubo)
How to Watch the Games
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament will be broadcast across the ESPN network, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews. If you’re on the go, you can stream every game live through March Madness Live or the ESPN app (cable login required). For those without cable, Fubo offers a free trial and includes all the ESPN channels needed to catch every moment of the tournament.
Live Updates: Friday’s First-Round Highlights
(Updates will be added as games progress on March 21, 2025. Below are placeholders based on today’s schedule as of 5:52 AM PDT.)
- 11:30 AM ET: Michigan vs. Iowa State
The action kicks off with a compelling 6-11 matchup. Can Iowa State build on their First Four success and take down Michigan? We’ll have live updates on key plays and scores. - Noon ET: Kentucky vs. Liberty
Kentucky aims to make a strong start, but Liberty is known for their upset potential. Follow along for the latest developments. - 4:00 PM ET: South Carolina vs. Tennessee Tech
The defending champions take the court. Will South Carolina dominate, or can Tennessee Tech pull off a stunner? Stay tuned for updates. - 10:00 PM ET: UCLA vs. Southern
The nightcap features top-seeded UCLA. Expect a dominant performance from the Bruins—we’ll bring you highlights and scores as they happen.
(Check back throughout the day for real-time updates, standout moments, and more!)
Expert Bracket Predictions
Who’s favored to make it to the Final Four? Here’s what the NewsUS24 experts are predicting:
- Nancy Armour: UCLA, UConn, Texas, Duke
- Cora Hall: South Carolina, UConn, NC State, Notre Dame
- Meghan L. Hall: UCLA, USC, South Carolina, Notre Dame
- Cydney Henderson: UCLA, UConn, South Carolina, TCU
- Jordan Mendoza: UCLA, USC, South Carolina, Notre Dame
UCLA and South Carolina are the clear frontrunners, with UConn, USC, and Notre Dame also receiving strong support.
Key Storylines to Follow
While the top seeds are formidable, March Madness thrives on surprises. Can a double-digit seed like Fairfield or Grand Canyon make a deep run? Will Notre Dame’s star-studded roster overpower Stephen F. Austin? And how will JuJu Watkins and USC handle the spotlight? The answers will unfold on the court, so grab your bracket, tune in, and enjoy the madness!
