The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness, has reached the Sweet 16 stage, showcasing thrilling matchups and remarkable performances. Here’s an in-depth look at the current bracket, recent game outcomes, and upcoming schedules for each region.CBSSports.com
Tournament Overview
The tournament commenced on March 18, 2025, with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. As of March 24, the field has narrowed to the Sweet 16, with games set to resume on March 27. NBC Sports+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2NCAA.com
Sweet 16 Matchups and Schedules
All times are Eastern Time.
Thursday, March 27
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South Regional Semifinals at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
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West Regional Semifinals at Chase Center, San Francisco, California
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Game 3: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Arizona at 7:00 PM on TBSNew York Post
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Game 4: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 8 Mississippi State at 9:30 PM on TBSNew York Post
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Friday, March 28
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East Regional Semifinals at Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
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Game 5: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 9 Baylor at 7:00 PM on TNT
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Game 6: No. 6 BYU vs. No. 3 Wisconsin at 9:30 PM on TNTWikipedia
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Midwest Regional Semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Game 7: No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Texas at 7:00 PM on TBSNew York Post
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Game 8: No. 6 Arkansas vs. No. 2 St. Mary’s at 9:30 PM on TBS
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Regional Highlights
South Region
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Auburn Tigers: The top-seeded Tigers have demonstrated dominance, defeating Alabama State 83-63 and Creighton 82-70 to reach the Sweet 16. Wikipedia+3ESPN.com+3A Sea Of Blue+3
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Michigan Wolverines: Seeded fifth, Michigan secured victories over UC San Diego (91-79) and Texas A&M (80-71), showcasing their offensive prowess.
West Region
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Duke Blue Devils: As a first seed, Duke has been formidable, with standout performances, including an 89-75 victory over Baylor, propelled by Cooper Flagg’s 18-point game. Duke Basketball Report+3NCAA.com+3New York Post+3
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Arizona Wildcats: The fourth-seeded Wildcats have advanced with decisive wins, including a 93-65 triumph over Akron, demonstrating their offensive strength. Wikipedia
East Region
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Florida Gators: The top-seeded Gators have been impressive, with a narrow 72-71 victory over Colorado State, highlighting their resilience and strategic play.
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Baylor Bears: Seeded ninth, Baylor’s journey includes a 75-66 win over Mississippi State, showcasing their determination and skill.
Midwest Region
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Houston Cougars: The first-seeded Cougars have advanced with strong performances, including a 72-65 victory over Texas, underscoring their defensive prowess.
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Arkansas Razorbacks: As a tenth seed, Arkansas has made a significant impact, with a 75-66 win over St. John’s, marking them as a team to watch. CBSSports.com
Notable Players and Teams to Watch
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Cooper Flagg (Duke): The 6’8” freshman has quickly become one of the brightest stars in the tournament. Known for his incredible versatility, Flagg has been a major contributor on both ends of the floor, scoring at will and playing lockdown defense. His ability to dominate the paint and create opportunities for teammates has helped propel Duke into the Sweet 16.
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Hunter Dickinson (Michigan): Michigan’s center has been a steady force in the paint, scoring at a high clip and pulling down key rebounds. He is one of the most skilled big men in college basketball and will be crucial in Michigan’s matchup against Auburn.
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Posh Alexander (St. John’s): Alexander, a quick and shifty guard, has been excellent at controlling the pace of games. He has been a key playmaker for St. John’s, especially with his ability to drive to the rim and create plays for others.
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Marcus Carr (Texas): Carr’s poise and leadership have been pivotal for Texas. He’s been the Longhorns’ primary scorer and playmaker throughout the tournament and will be key to their chances against Houston’s tough defense.
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Jared Butler (Baylor): The senior guard has been an essential leader for Baylor, guiding them through tough matchups with his scoring and playmaking ability. He will need to be at his best if the Bears are to upset the powerful Florida team.
Key Storylines to Follow
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The Battle of the Top Seeds:
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With all four No. 1 seeds (Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston) making it to the Sweet 16, the tournament has been a showcase of the best teams in college basketball. Can any of the lower-seeded teams create an upset, or will the top seeds continue to dominate?
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Cinderella Story or Business as Usual?
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This year has seen fewer traditional “Cinderella” teams, such as those seeded 12th or 13th, making deep runs. With the exception of Baylor, who entered as a No. 9 seed, most of the Sweet 16 teams have been highly seeded, suggesting that higher-ranked programs are making a comeback in March Madness.
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Impact of Individual Performances:
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Players like Cooper Flagg, Anthony Black, and Hunter Dickinson have been lighting up the tournament. As we move toward the Final Four, these individual performances will play a huge role in determining which teams advance.
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Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
As the Sweet 16 tips off, fans can expect a continuation of thrilling, fast-paced basketball. With so much talent still in the tournament, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the teams that remain. Will the No. 1 seeds continue their dominance, or will an underdog rise to claim the national championship? One thing is for sure: March Madness is far from over, and the next few days will be critical in determining who has what it takes to cut down the nets in early April.
Stay tuned as the tournament continues to unfold with more drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
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