March Madness 2025 Begins with Thrilling First Round Matchups

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament kicked off Thursday with an exhilarating first round that featured 64 teams competing for a shot at college basketball glory. Seeding and expectations were thrown aside as several underdogs battled fiercely to secure their spots in the next round.

Among the standout performances, Jamiya Neal of ninth-seeded Creighton dazzled with a career-high 29 points, leading his team to an impressive 89-75 victory over No. 8 seed Louisville. Coach Greg McDermott’s Bluejays, now 25-10 for the season, will face the top overall seed, Auburn, in the South Region second round on Saturday.

“We’re just focused on taking one game at a time,” McDermott said. “Our team has worked incredibly hard this season, and we’re excited for the opportunity ahead.”

In another thrilling matchup, fourth-seeded Purdue triumphed over High Point with a 75-63 victory. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 21 points while Big Ten player of the year Braden Smith contributed 20 points and six assists. Purdue, now 23-11, will face McNeese State next.

Wisconsin, the third seed, made a statement with an 85-66 win against Montana. John Blackwell led the Badgers with 19 points as they sought their first Sweet 16 appearance in eight years after a disappointing first-round exit in 2022.

Top-seeded Houston showcased its dominance, easily defeating 16th-seeded SIU Edwardsville 78-40. The Cougars are on a 14-game winning streak and look poised for a deep tournament run.

Meanwhile, Auburn, securing its place as a top contender, defeated Alabama State 83-63, led by Mike Kelly’s seven three-pointers and All-American Johni Broome, who added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

“We came out with a purpose today,” Coach Bruce Pearl said after the game. “We know the stakes are high, and every possession counts.”

In one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, 12th-seeded McNeese State edged No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67. Brando Murray’s strong first-half performance helped the Cowboys secure their first NCAA Tournament victory.

Gonzaga was another highlight, routing Georgia with an 89-68 win. Khalif Battle scored 24 points and Braden Huff added another 18 points for the Bulldogs, who reached the second round for the 22nd consecutive year.

“We just played our game,” Gonzaga Coach Mark Few said. “It’s all about getting better every day and we’re excited for the next challenge.”

As the excitement of the 2025 tournament unfolds, fans are already gearing up for the next round, where the games promise even more intensity and emotion as the quest for the national championship continues.