The Los Angeles Dodgers will raise their World Series banner in Chavez Ravine, entering 2025 as the heavy favorites to repeat as champions. Their biggest threats should come from within the National League, with teams like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and San Diego Padres looking to dethrone Los Angeles.

In the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers look to continue their division domination, but the Chicago Cubs might have something to say about it after acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter.

Here’s a look at every NL team’s three keys to victory for the upcoming season:

National League East

Atlanta Braves

Be at your best come October: The Braves will start the season without Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. as they continue to rehab from season-ending surgeries in 2024. It’s important Atlanta give them extended time to ramp up and then get back into the everyday grind upon their return. The Braves plan to have two of the best players in the game at their peak come the heat of the pennant race.

Add depth as the season goes on: The bench could be light, but the Braves have a history of making shrewd moves. Last season for instance, castoff outfielder Ramon Laureano became an everyday player, batting .296 with 10 home runs in 67 games, helping the Braves reach the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Signed in the offseason, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz could earn playing time and make major contributions after averaging 20 home runs and 73 RBIs over the past two years.

Don’t worry about the Phillies and Mets: MLB’s balanced scheduling has resulted in less games against division foes, meaning the Braves shouldn’t concern themselves too much with the other co-favorites to win the National League East. Even without the departed left-handed pitcher Max Fried, the Braves probably have the most talented roster in the division when everybody gets healthy. There is room for all three teams in the playoffs (like last year), and if Atlanta gets in again, it will pose matchup problems for just about every other team in the NL.

– Jesse Yomtov

Miami Marlins

Alcantara returns to form: The Marlins were without perhaps their best player for all of last season with ace Sandy Alcantara having Tommy John surgery in October 2023. He was ahead of schedule in his recovery and even faced live hitters last September, but with the team out of playoff contention, it made no sense to have him return to action then. Back on the mound this spring, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has had ample time to get back in the groove and he’s looked good so far. Alcantara is not expected to face any workload restrictions over the course of the season.

Edwards sets table: Shortstop Xavier Edwards got a taste of the majors in 2023, but he returned to Miami in the second half of last season and quickly established himself as an integral part of the offense, taking over as the Marlins’ leadoff hitter in July. The 2018 first-round pick makes frequent contact and has excellent speed. If he can continue to get on base at a high rate, the Marlins should improve upon their NL worst of 3.93 runs per game.

Prospects blossom: Despite two playoff appearances in the pastfive seasons, the Marlins are undoubtedly in a rebuilding phase after trading away proven players such as Pablo Lopez, Luis Arraez, Trevor Rogers and Jazz Chisholm for prospects. At some point those prospects need to pan out. It is up to pitcher Ryan Weathers, outfielder Kyle Stowers and third baseman Connor Norby to follow Edwards.

– Steve Gardner

New York Mets

Top it off: The Mets made the biggest splash of the offseason when they landed Juan Soto on a historic 15-year, $765 million deal. The 26-year-old superstar will be joining forces with NL MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor atop the team’s lineup to form one of the most dynamic 1-2 punches in the NL. Both boast the potential to score 100 runs and plate 100 RBIs. Beyond that is where the biggest waves can be made. After signing a two-year, $54 million deal, can Pete Alonso bounce back after his lowest homer total (34) of his career? Mark Vientos is looking to build off a transformative season, while Brandon Nimmo has found power at the expense of reaching base at his usual clip.

Weather early storm: The club has been hit hard by injuries early in spring training, with Frankie Montas and Francisco Alvarez each expected to be out until at least May. Sean Manaea and Jeff McNeil are also dealing with oblique injuries that will put them on the IL early in 2025. The Mets got off to an ugly start through the first two months in 2024 and found themselves 11 games under .500. They played catch-up for the remainder of the season.

Find their legs: Kodai Senga, who finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting in 2023, is returning after he worked through shoulder and calf injuries. Clay Holmes is moving from the bullpen to a starting role for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. How will an expanded repertoire and additional workload affect him?

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Philadelphia Phillies

Their better half: No team was more dominant through July than the Phillies, who sent a record seven players to the All-Star Game and rarely had their NL East advantage slip below six games. But a listless September and a gut punch of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Mets in the NL division series round set forth a winter of soul-searching. There were nice tucks around the edges, with Jesus Luzardo added to the back of the rotation and Max Kepler enhancing the outfield’s offensive production, but the bulk of improvement must of course come from the team’s core.

Nick of time: While Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are pending free agents, the greater roster overhaul might not occur until after the 2026 season, when Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and Taijuan Walker, among others, are eligible for free agency. In the meantime, the Phillies could use a surge in production from their right fielder. Castellanos, 33, saw his OPS dip from .788 to .742 and his homers drop from 29 to 23 while replicating his .311 OBP. If he can at the least avoid any further slippage, the Phillies should go a long way toward defending their title.

Reliever merry-go-round: Jordan Romano was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, but he tried to pitch through a balky elbow before having surgery last year. The greater question is how the bullpen – which was so good until the final month and playoffs of last year – lines up in front of him.

– Gabe Lacques

Washington Nationals

Show noticeable progress: The Nationals have been in a rebuilding stage since the 2021 season, which followed their World Series title. General manager Mike Rizzo has rebuilt the franchise from the ground up and it has nudged from 55 wins in 2022 to 71 the past two seasons. However, the franchise broke through in 2012 when it showed it was willing to add bigger-name veterans to its prospect base. That process hasn’t begun with the most recent version of the franchise. It may take a push from the group it has to get the Lerner family to fully buy into another run. Or, after settling a long-standing TV rights dispute with the Orioles, are the Lerners considering selling the team?

Growth from cornerstones: Rizzo has assembled high-end pieces such as CJ Abrams, James Wood, Dylan Crews and MacKenzie Gore. Abrams has established himself as a highly productive major leaguer over the last two seasons, but the other top prospects, including some other young arms like DJ Herz and Cade Cavalli, all may need to take a big step for the team to contend.

Get the buzz back: Fans proved in the lead-up to the 2019 title they would come out in large numbers to support a winner and give the Nats a home-field advantage. Tangible signs of one past the early stages of the season could bring more energy. A vote of confidence from ownership it is committed to putting more financial resources into another run would also help.

– Stephen Borelli

National League Central

Chicago Cubs

Make the most of Kyle Tucker: The Cubs acquired one of the best players in baseball but he’s free agent after this season. An extension with Tucker isn’t out of the question for the Cubs, but he could push $400 million on the open market if he has a good year. He was limited by injury to 78 games last season but hit 23 homers with 49 RBIs and a .993 OPS. That was good for a staggering 4.7 WAR.

Sort out the bullpen early: Manager Craig Counsell has some new faces, including two-time All-Star closer Ryan Pressly, acquired in an offseason trade with the Astros. Porter Hodge, 24, should be the primary setup man, coming off a stellar rookie season with a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings. Can he come anywhere close to replicating that? Ryan Brasier and lefty Caleb Thielbar were nice veteran additions, with holdovers Tyson Miller and Nate Pearson also expected to see significant middle-inning work.

Stick with Matt Shaw at third: The Cubs’ top prospect has been transitioning to third base from middle infield and the organization opened his path to the majors by trading Isaac Paredes and prospect Kevin Smith in the package for Tucker. Shaw, 23, has dealt with an oblique injury that has limited his playing time in spring training but made the roster for the Japan Series and will likely be the opening-day third baseman. He had a .303 average and .906 OPS in 600 minor league at-bats, with 21 homers and 31 steals in 2024.

– Jesse Yomtov

Cincinnati Reds

Matt McLain: The Reds’ best player during the three months he was on the field as a rookie in 2023 is back healthy and batting second after missing all of last season because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The second baseman is the team’s top threat to win a Gold Glove, and if he’s even close to as good as he was at the plate in 2023, he’ll take on the look of a big-ticket acquisition.

Tito bounce: The Reds wasted no time landing the best available manager, hiring Terry Francona out of retirement in 11 days flat after firing David Bell. The three-time Manager of the Year and two-time World Series champion set a palpable tone of high expectations and attention to detail from the first day of camp that continues to resonate into the season.

Sneaky rotation depth: The Reds brought back Nick Martinez on a qualifying offer and added Brady Singer in a trade to boost a Hunter Greene-led starting staff that was the strength of last year’s team. Beyond the experienced first five, the Reds added veteran free agent lefty Wade Miley, who’s expected back on the mound from Tommy John surgery in May. Also, 2023 No. 7 overall draft pick Rhett Lowder, who produced a 1.17 ERA in a six-start debut down the stretch last year, is in the wings for a potential season debut a month or so into the season, as needed. Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, might make his presence felt in the big leagues by the end of the season.

– Gordon Wittenmyer

Milwaukee Brewers

Where is the offense? No longer a Brewer is shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with San Francisco in the offseason. Even though that’s just one lost player on offense, that’s a lot of production at a key position. Between breakout candidates Joey Ortiz, Garrett MItchell and Sal Frelick along with mainstays Jackson Chourio, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, is there enough power production to fill Adames’ void? Rhys Hoskins remains a key figure in 2025 coming off a pedestrian first year in Milwaukee.

Rotation health: The Brewers had to use 17 pitchers as starters in 2024. They improved their rotation depth by signing Jose Quintana and trading for Nestor Cortes, but it’s going to be tough to survive that many injuries should they strike again. Brandon Woodruff’s form in his return after missing 2024 with shoulder surgery remains a pivotal factor. The Brewers already saw Aaron Ashby and DL Hall go down with injuries early in spring.

Finding a closer: The Brewers traded away their second all-league closer in a three-year span by sending Devin Williams to the Yankees. The bullpen has long been one of the team’s top strengths, but who will replace Williams? Can Trevor Megill assume the role seamlessly? Will a dark horse, such as Nick Mears or Joel Payamps, take over? Could it be a prospect, such as the late-blooming Craig Yoho? Or will the Brewers be left with a hole in the ninth inning?

– Curt Hogg

Pittsburgh Pirates

Cruz control in center: Oneil Cruz reached the majors four years ago as a rarity: a 6-foot-7 shortstop. Although he showed he had the athleticism for the position, his defense was erratic at best. So with a month to go in the 2024 season, the organization decided to move Cruz to the outfield. The results were encouraging enough to make the switch permanent. The next developmental step is to see if he can cut his strikeout rate (30.2%) while still maintaining elite exit velocity (95.5 mph average).

Skenes, Jones and find some clones: The Pirates will likely go as far as their young pitching will carry them. That could be pretty far, considering they have the reigning NL rookie of the year in Paul Skenes, who posted a 1.96 ERA in his first 23 major league starts. Right behind him, Jared Jones showed flashes of brilliance in his debut season. They could soon be joined in the rotation by prospects Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington. All four right-handers are 23 or younger.

More firepower: The Pirates finished last in the NL in slugging (.371) and 14th in on-base percentage (.301). After averaging just over four runs per game, additional run support for that emerging pitching staff would be rather helpful. Unfortunately, the improvement will mostly have to come from within. Their biggest offensive moves this winter were re-signing DH Andrew McCutchen and adding veteran outfielder Tommy Pham and utilityman Adam Frazier.

– Steve Gardner

St. Louis Cardinals

Smooth transition at first: The big offseason experiment in St. Louis was moving catcher Willson Contreras out from behind the plate and having him take over at first base for departed free agent Paul Goldschmidt. It’s a pretty risky move with the 32-year-old Contreras playing a total of just 11 games at first in his nine-year MLB career. One thing it will do is open up regular playing time for Ivan Herrera, 24.

Develop an offensive identity: It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the lineup. It’s not overly powerful and not based on speed with only the Rockies, Braves and Giants stealing fewer bases. The key could be how much Masyn Winn can give the Cardinals from the leadoff spot. Although he said he wants to steal 30 to 40 bases, he has to get on first. Winn has endured a rough spring, hitting just .102 with three walks and no extra-base hits in his first 42 plate appearances.

Attain franchise stability: The Cardinals seem to be in a period of transition on the field and in the front office. The team’s longtime head of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, will be stepping aside at the end of the season and turning control of the front office over to former Red Sox and Rays exec Chaim Bloom. There were hints a roster makeover might begin sooner when they didn’t make an offer to Goldschmidt and nearly traded their other veteran cornerstone, third baseman Nolan Arenado. Closer Ryan Helsley could also be on the move.

– Steve Gardner

National League West

Arizona DIamondbacks

Bouncing back: The Diamondbacks somehow managed to have the best offense in baseball last year despite a disappointing season from star outfielder Corbin Carroll. If Carroll can get closer to his 2023 production, it would go a long way toward helping the lineup remain potent, particularly with first baseman Christian Walker and slugger Joc Pederson having left via free agency. Carroll finished on a positive note – he had a .919 OPS in the second half – and started off spring training on a hot streak, so there are plenty of reasons to believe.

Better health: The rotation seems like a safe bet to be better if for no reason other than the addition of Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million deal. But the unit would also benefit from better health luck, namely with Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez. Lefty Jordan Montgomery and right-hander Ryne Nelson each also spent time on the injured list last year. If the group, which also includes Zac Gallen and Brandon Pfaadt, can stay healthy, it could be one of the majors’ better rotations.

Marte for MVP? If Ketel Marte hadn’t landed on the injured list in August, he might have given Shohei Ohtani a bit of competition in the NL MVP race. Despite missing a few weeks with an ankle sprain, Marte still finished third in the voting. He never seems to get the attention of other players – and is sometimes overshadowed on his own team – but when he is healthy and productive, the Diamondbacks tend to be a good team.

– Nick Piecoro, Arizona Republic

Colorado Rockies

Stay out of cellar: It may seem inevitable for a team that hasn’t won more than 68 games since 2021. It also has finished last in the NL West the last two seasons, not coming within 19 games of fourth place. The Rockies aren’t positioned to contend with the Dodgers, Diamondbacks or Padres, but a talented offensive core could set their sights on the Giants. A push to play .500 in their 52 games within their division could generate some optimism. Maybe they could time the debut of right-hander Chase Dollander, a prized first-round pick in 2023, for August. They have 27 of those division games over the season’s final two months.

Get Bryant going: Since signing his seven-year, $182 million contract before the 2022 season, the former NL MVP has played 159 games. That’s a full-season sample size, and he has hit .250 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and .713 OPS. Injuries appear to have reduced him to a far lesser player than the Cubs’ World Series winner. If Bryant, 33, can get closer to what he once was, though (.886 career OPS with the Cubs), he could certainly provide more of the wins for which the Rockies invested in him.

Bang the ball around: A cornerstone of previous Rockies contenders is a monster offense to go with just enough pitching. Colorado has many capable young bats (Michael Toglia, Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, Hunter Goodman) who need to push the Coors Field levels of scoring we’ve seen in the past to move it closer to .500.

– Stephen Borelli

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pitching health: The Dodgers are opening the season with starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan and relievers Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol on the injured list. They signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki for the rotation, and closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates for the bullpen. They are delaying Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound until likely June and may not have a starter pitch more than 150 innings this year.

Betts experiment: The Dodgers once again are going to try six-time Gold Glove right fielder Mookie Betts at shortstop. The Dodgers believe his athleticism can handle the adjustment, but still, for a team with World Series title aspirations, it’s a gamble. He played only 65 games at shortstop last season and was erratic defensively with nine errors, eight on his throws. If Betts can’t handle it, he likely will go to second base and they’ll insert Miguel Rojas at shortstop. They may even return Betts to the outfield. Stay tuned.

When to pitch Ohtani: The plan was for him to return to the rotation opening day until he dislocated his left shoulder in the World Series. Now they have shut down his throwing program until the start of the season and are in no hurry of returning him to the mound until June, or perhaps later. They want to save those bullets until October.

– Bob Nightengale

San Diego Padres

Run your own race: The Padres had the Dodgers on the brink of elimination in last year’s NLDS but failed to put the eventual World Series champions away. Los Angeles made huge additions in the offseason while San Diego largely stood still. The gap in talent between the two clubs is bigger than it’s been in the last few years and the Padres need to focus their energy on simply getting into the postseason, rather than competing directly with the presumed NL West champions. They’ll be a tough out in the playoffs with their lineup, rotation and bullpen if everybody is healthy.

Trade an upcoming free agent: San Diego has done a terrific job on the trade market in recent years to acquire key players, while also having the foresight to trade Juan Soto and get a huge return a year before he hit free agency. The Padres should do the same with All-Star pitcher Dylan Cease and/or three-time batting champion Luis Arráez, both of whom will become free agents after the 2025 season. Perhaps Gerrit Cole’s injury puts some impetus on the Yankees to make another deal with the Padres, this time for Cease.

Add another outfielder: Two weeks before opening day, Jason Heyward was penciled in as the starting left fielder, not a great look for a club with World Series aspirations. The stars in the lineup are there for the Padres, but their bench is light and the team will need more bats on the roster if they hope to get back to the playoffs.

– Jesse Yomtov

San Francisco Giants

Left side lockdown: The Giants signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million extension before last season ended. They further solidified their infield this offseason by signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest contract in team history (seven years, $182 million). They should be infield mainstays and provide punch to the middle of the batting order for a team that was 10th in runs scored in the NL last season.

Justin justifies flier: With LHP Blake Snell leaving via free agency, the Giants turned to right-hander Justin Verlander, signing the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young winner to a one-year, $15 million deal. The future Hall of Famer was plagued by shoulder and neck injuries last year. Can Verlander regain some version of the form he showed as recently as 2023 with the New York Mets and Houston Astros (combined 13-8, 3.22 ERA)?

Camilo coming back: Right-hander Camilo Doval returns to the All-Star form he showed before he lost the closer’s job last season and fortifies the back end of the Giants bullpen. After tying the NL lead with 39 saves in 2023, Doval struggled in 2024 and had a career-worst 4.70 ERA when he was optioned to Class AAA for two weeks in August. Ryan Walker took over as the closer and remains in that role. But Buster Posey, the team’s new president of baseball operations who caught Doval when he debuted in 2021, has said he is “pretty bullish on (Doval) coming back.”

– Cesar Brioso

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No. 8 Gonzaga entered the NCAA Tournament with nine consecutive trips to the Sweet 16, the longest streak in the country. That run is now over, and the team now with the longest Sweet 16 streak?

The one that beat the Zags on Saturday night.

No. 1 seed Houston used a dazzling offensive performance and held off a late Gonzaga surge for an 81-76 win in one of the most anticipated matchups of the second round and advance to their sixth consecutive Sweet 16.

It was a true clash of styles in Wichita. Houston entered the night with the best scoring defense in the country at 57.9 points allowed per game. Gonzaga had the second-best scoring offense in the country at 86.7 points per game.

Offense ended up being the name of the game, but it was Houston with the hot hand, and Gonzaga didn’t have enough time to catch up. The Cougars didn’t have the better shooting percentage, more 3-pointers or more free throws, but they controlled the offensive glass for second-chance opportunities. And Gonzaga learned the worst thing it could do was let elite teams get multiple cracks at scoring.

Two days after Gonzaga came out firing out of the gates against Georgia, the Bulldogs got a little dose of their own medicine when Houston came out firing. Cryer, the Big 12’s best perimeter shooter, drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and the Cougars were up 10-2 four minutes in.

Houston was rolling and led by as much as 14 points in the first half while Cryer continued to knock down shots, picking up 16 of his team’s first 31 points. Gonzaga found a way to slow down the Midwest region’s No. 1 seed and its offense found a flow to cut the deficit to eight points at halftime.

On the back of Graham Ike, Gonzaga’s offense looked like its normal self in the second half. The only problem was Houston was just as, if not more, effective from the field. Anytime Gonzaga got a big basket in an attempt to turn the tide, Houston responded right back to keep the lead in the double-digit range.

After dealing with Houston’s answers for nearly the entire second half, Gonzaga found a crack in the door with a 11-1 run to make it a one-point game with 21 seconds left. But Cryer, an excellent free throw shooter, made two free throws and the Bulldogs couldn’t get a final shot off. Cryer finished with a game-high 30 points.

The second round exit is the first time Gonzaga won’t play in the second weekend of March Madness since 2014, when it also lost in the same round as a No. 8 seed against No. 1 seed Arizona.

Winners of 15 consecutive games − the longest streak in the country − Houston now heads to Indianapolis and will be the unofficial road team against Purdue in the Sweet 16 on Friday.

The opening round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament already has flipped brackets upside down, and the second round of March Madness could do the same.

If calm is what fans came for this postseason, several teams didn’t get that memo. In the first round alone, there were two 10-seed teams, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the Oregon Ducks, who upset their opponents, and several programs, like the Kentucky Wildcats, who skated ― on very thin ice ― into the next matchup. Moreover, several stars, including USC phenom JuJu Watkins, walked away with more injuries.

The competition gets more challenging as the NCAA Tournament rolls into the second round, which means some teams will inevitably go home with stunning losses. Here’s some of the top teams who could pull off an upset as the second round of the bracket begins:

Women’s March Madness upset predictions: NCAA Tournament second-round surprise teams

Based on outcomes from the first round, here are the best teams to pull off an upset during second-round games at the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament.

No. 5 Kansas State over No. 4 Kentucky

The Kansas State Wildcats taking down the Kentucky Wildcats likely won’t be that shocking after Kentucky’s shaky first-round debut. The No. 4 seed Wildcats barely escaped against the 13th-seeded Liberty Lady Flames after giving up a 23-6 run, which should worry head coach Kenny Brooks. Kansas State brings a much more complex setup, and stopping center Ayoka Lee and guard Serena Sundell won’t be easy. Lee averages 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per matchup. Sundell is also productive, with 13.7 points and 7.1 assists a game. Her most dangerous asset is versatility, often switching from the guard position to forward throughout the game.

No. 5 Mississippi over No. 4 Baylor

After a very slow start against the No. 12 seed Ball State Cardinals during the first round, the No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels pulled away in the second half, securing an 83-65 win. Ole Miss had significant contributions from guard Kennedy Todd-Williams and forward Starr Jacobs, who had double-doubles. The Rebels move on to face No. 4 seed Baylor, which also struggled in the first half in its matchup against 13th-seeded Grand Canyon, but eventually won on its home floor, 73-60. Ole Miss’s defense makes this matchup particularly intriguing and ripe for an upset. On average, the Rebels force 20.8 turnovers a game, good for 19th in the country, and are ranked 52nd nationwide as a stingy scoring defense.

No. 6 Iowa over No. 3 Oklahoma

The Iowa Hawkeyes are reasonably young but have a lot of fire under head coach Jan Jensen. Jensen has found a way to pull off some impressive wins throughout Iowa’s regular season that shouldn’t go unnoticed, including upsetting JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in February. Behind gutsy performances from senior guard Lucy Olsen and several other players such as guard Sydney Affolter and center Ava Heiden, the Hawkeyes also pulled off impressive wins during the Big Ten tournament. They notched a decisive 92-57 victory during first-round play over the No. 11 seed Murray State Racers. If Iowa can slow the Sooners’ star center, Raegan Beers, Oklahoma is in trouble.

No. 5 Tennessee over No. 4 Ohio State

The Buckeyes have plenty of scoring options, in forwards Cotie McMahon and Ajae Petty, plus freshman star guard Jaloni Cambridge, who has one of the quickest first steps in the game and averages 15.3 points on 43 percent shooting. However, the Volunteers also have plenty of depth. On Friday, in a 40-point blowout win over 12th-seeded South Florida, team-leading scorer Talaysia Cooper had 20 points, guard Samara Spencer added 15, forward Zee Spearman added 13 and guard Jewel Spear had 11. If Tennessee can overcome its late-season inconsistency, it can send Ohio State home for the second consecutive year in the Round of 32 and become an unexpected Cinderella story.

Upon learning Friday night George Foreman had died at 76, Muhammad Ali’s daughter Rasheda Ali-Walsh said she sent a text message to George Foreman Jr., the oldest son of the former heavyweight champion.

“Please know that we’re here for you, sending much love and support,’’ Rasheda Ali-Walsh told USA TODAY Sports she texted, followed by, “Your dad is sparring with my dad in heaven.’’

Probably wearing not only boxing gloves but smiles. Ali-Walsh agreed.

In one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, Ali and Foreman went from bitter rivals who clashed in “The Rumble in the Jungle’’ to something altogether different.

“He and my dad became really good friends, and if I’m not mistaken, (Foreman) inspired my dad into being a pastor and a spiritual advisor,” Ali-Walsh said.

Foreman attended Ali’s memorial and funeral service when Ali died in 2016. But the relationship got off to a rocky start in 1974 leading up to ‘The Rumble in the Jungle,” their fight in Zaire.

Foreman, then 40-0 and one of the hardest punchers in the sport, said multiple times he was going to kill Ali, a heavy underdog. Ali continuously mocked Foreman, such as when he told reporters, “George Foreman is nothing but a big mummy. I’ve officially named him, ‘The Mummy.’ ”

Ali walked like a Mummy, delighting the press but not Foreman. Then their fight sent shockwaves around the world, not the least because Ali sent Foreman crashing to the canvas with an eighth-round knockout.

“Daddy was always trying to get in his opponent’s head,’’ Ali-Walsh said. “And I think he got in George’s head.’’

George Foreman, Muhammad Ali form friendship

Three years after “The Rumble in the Jungle,’’ Foreman said, he was hit by something more powerful than Ali. He called it a religious experience that prompted him to quit boxing in 1977 at age 28.

Hana Ali, one of the boxer’s seven daughters, said years later her father gave her 60 hours of taped phone conversations. One of her favorites, she told USA TODAY Sports in 2014, is an hour-long talk her father had with Foreman in 1979. She said Foreman was preaching while Ali, then in his later 30s, still was fighting and, in retrospect, showing early signs of Parkinson’s disease.

‘George Foreman begins by warning my father not to do these boxing exhibitions that are going to lead him back to the ring,’ Hana Ali told USA TODAY Sports in 2014, ‘and he doesn’t want him there. He said, ‘I had a dream,’ and he’s telling him, ‘God doesn’t want you in the ring. You need to stop.’ My dad says, ‘It’s just a boxing exhibition.’ And he goes, ‘No, stop now because it’s going to lead apparently to something else.’ And then, of course, my father only follows his own mind.’

Yet Foreman, after a decade-long absence from boxing, returned in 1987 at age 38. In 1994, at 45, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer, then 26, and became the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

In 2014, Foreman told USA TODAY Sports that he received a congratulatory letter from his old nemesis, the one who called him a mummy.

‘Can you imagine that?’ Foreman said. ‘Who would think almost 20 years later, there’s Muhammad, my conqueror, congratulating me in fighting for the championship of the world and winning it.’

George Foreman, Muhammad Ali inspire celebration

In 2012, Foreman was at Ali’s 70th birthday party at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. It was a fundraiser spurred by Ali, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

“They always was supportive of each other in their endeavors,’’ Rasheda Ali-Walsh said.

In an Instagram post Friday, Hana Ali said she used to FaceTime Foreman so her father could talk with him. ‘They’d reminisce, share laughs, and lovingly debate who had it better—George with his sons, or Daddy with his daughters,” Hana Ali wrote.

In December, Rasheda Ali-Walsh said, she and her six sisters gathered in Houston. It was near the home of Foreman, and they were there to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “The Rumble in the Jungle.’’

The daughters of Ali celebrated with some of Foreman’s children, Ali-Walsh said.

“It was like celebrating the lineage, legacy and the love between my dad and George Foreman,’’ she said. “There was, of course, the iconic fight. But just their relationship in general, how they had a deep love and respect for one another.’’

At the 50th celebration, according to d-mars.com, many of the children of both boxers gathered for a photo after which George Foreman Jr. said, ‘Our fathers spent so many years really talking about how much they cared for each other and loved each other. They passed that down to us. This was our first time as a group getting together for a picture and it was like we showed up to a family reunion with long-lost cousins. We didn’t skip a beat.’

Rasheda Ali-Walsh said her father’s old boxing rival-turned-friend was ailing then.

‘I got a chance to see George for the last time,” she said, ‘and thank him for the wonderful times that he spent with my dad and for his friendship, too.”

Another day of March Madness awaited college basketball fans on Saturday.

With the first round complete, the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament progressed to the second round, which saw several high-profile team and coaching matchups on display.

Perhaps the biggest of those pitted national champion St. John’s and Arkansas against each other — or, perhaps more accurately, Rick Pitino and John Calipari. The two national title-winning coaches faced off against each other for the first time since December 2016, with Pitino, then with Louisville, beating his Kentucky counterpart.

Calipari got the better of his St. John’s counterpart on Saturday, however, with No. 10 seed Arkansas upsetting No. 2 St. John’s 75-66. Another notable game on Saturday includes No. 1 overall seed Auburn taking on a Creighton team that demolished 8-seed Louisville on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Kelvin Sampson and No. 1 seed Houston ended Mark Few and Gonzaga’s Sweet 16 streak, while Rick Barnes’ 2-seeded Tennessee kept alive its hopes of a first-ever Final Four appearance by beating Mick Cronin and 7 seed UCLA.

Check out all the bracket updates, scores, highlights and more from Saturday’s action:

Men’s March Madness games today

Saturday, March 22

(4) Purdue 76, (12) McNeese 62
(10) Arkansas 75, (2) St. John’s 66
(5) Michigan 91, (4) Texas A&M 79
(3) Texas Tech 77, (11) Drake 64
(1) Auburn 82, (9) Creighton 70
(6) BYU 91, (3) Wisconsin 89
(1) Houston 81, (8) Gonzaga 76
(2) Tennessee 67, (7) UCLA 58

Watch select March Madness games live with Sling TV

Tennessee beats UCLA 67-58

Mick Cronin and UCLA dragged it out a bit, but the foregone conclusion came to pass: Tennessee beats UCLA 67-58, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season under Rick Barnes.

Skyy Clark hits 3 to narrow gap between UCLA, Tennessee

Too little too late, but a Skyy Clark 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining narrows UCLA’s deficit to Tennessee, with the Vols now leading 64-53. Credit to the Bruins for fighting till the last second.

Tennessee leading UCLA big

The final four minutes of play from Tennessee and UCLA’s second-round game is a mere matter of course. The Vols lead the Bruins 61-44 at the under-4 media timeout and, barring a massive breakdown, will advance to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time under Rick Barnes.

Chaz Lanier breaks Tennessee single-season 3-pointers record

Lanier hits a 3-pointer to reach 20 points against UCLA, breaking a Vols’ single-season record in the process.

His 119th 3-pointer of the season breaks the previous record of 118 set by Chris Lofton in 2007-08.

Houston ends Gonzaga’s Sweet 16 streak

Despite Gonzaga outscoring Houston 49-46 in the second half, the 1-seed Cougars hang on to defeat the Bulldogs 81-76 to reach their sixth straight Sweet 16.

Houston also ends Gonzaga’s previous record of nine consecutive Sweet 16 berths, with Houston taking over the active record.

L.J. Cryer was exceptional for the Cougars, scoring 30 points and nailing six 3-pointers to lead all scorers.

Tennessee leads UCLA 32-25 at halftime

Chaz Lanier is continuing his strong NCAA Tournament run, as the Vols’ leading scorer leads all players with 12 points as Tennessee leads UCLA 32-25 at halftime.

The Bruins are primed to give the Vols a tough test in the second half as Tennessee looks to move on to the second weekend for the third consecutive season.

BYU holds on, beats Wisconsin for Sweet 16 berth

John Tonje’s shot just before the buzzer is an airball, and BYU staves off Wisconsin’s late comeback attempt with a 91-89 win in Denver.

High-scoring game ends in upset fashion in one of the most exciting games of the NCAA Tournament so far. The Cougars make it to the second weekend for the first time since 2011.

John Tonje and-one!

Tonje is unconscious, as he shortens Wisconsin’s deficit to 91-89 on the 3-point play.

Wisconsin has a chance at pulling a comeback here, as BYU holds possession but calls timeout with 39 seconds remaining.

Richie Saunders having a career night

BYU guard Richie Saunders has the Cougars on the verge of reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, in large part to his huge showing against Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5 guard has 25 points and seven rebounds, shooting 9 of 16 from the field with three 3-pointers.

Wisconsin’s John Tonje has also been sensational, pouring in 34 points on 9-of-16 shooting. BYU leads 91-86 with 1:12 remaining.

Houston leads Gonzaga 35-27 at halftime

L.J. Cryer has been outstanding for Houston, leading all scorers with 16 points as the Cougars take a 35-27 lead into halftime over Gonzaga.

Both point guards for Gonzaga and Houston have been initiating offense well, as Ryan Nembhard and Milos Uzan have five and four assists, respectively.

BYU leads 47-36 at halftime

BYU takes a 47-36 lead into halftime against Wisconsin, as the Cougars look to continue their hot shooting into the second period.

BYU shot 6 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half and 17 of 36 from the floor. Richie Saunders and Egor Demin lead the way with 12 and eight points, respectively.

Wisconsin’s halftime deficit is the largest it has faced this season.

Auburn hangs on for Creighton win

Auburn avoids a scare, taking down Creighton 82-70 to advance to the Sweet 16 of the men’s NCAA Tournament.

The Bluejays proved to be a tough out, as their veteran roster that included Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth led 37-35 at halftime before the Tigers outscored them 47-33 in the second half.

Houston-Gonzaga tips off

Houston and Gonzaga, two teams in the top 10 of KenPom’s ratings, are midway through the first half. The Cougars have an early 17-8 lead as their stout defense is leading the charge early.

BYU with big 1st half lead over Wisconsin

The Cougars are firing on all cylinders early in the first half against Wisconsin, leading the Badgers 38-24 with under six minutes remaining until halftime.

Richie Saunders leads the way for BYU with 12 points, while Egor Demin has eight.

Chad Baker-Mazara injury update

Baker-Mazara left for the locker room but has since returned to the sideline with an ice pack on his hip. He hasn’t returned to game action, however.

BYU-Wisconsin tips off

The second-round matchup between BYU and Wisconsin has tipped off from Ball Arena in Denver. The Cougars jumped to a 7-5 lead in the first 1:31.

Auburn takes lead in second half over Creighton

The first media timeout arrived in the second half, and Auburn recaptured a 45-42 lead with 15:58 left in the game. The Tigers have connected on 4 of 7 shots to open the half.

Texas Tech beats Drake 77-64 to advance to Sweet 16

Texas Tech defeats Drake 77-64 to advance to the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders will play No. 10 Arkansas in the next round. Darrion Williams finished with 28 points, while JT Toppin added 25. Bennett Stirtz led the Bulldogs with 21 points.

Texas Tech leads Drake by 15 late

Drake hung around with Texas Tech most of the afternoon, but the Red Raiders lead 73-58 with 1:50 left and are headed back to the Sweet 16.

Creighton leads top-seeded Auburn 37-35 at halftime

The No. 1 overall seed in the tournament is officially on upset alert. Creighton holds a 37-35 lead over Auburn at halftime. Jackson McAndrews hit a 3-pointer before halftime to give the Blue Jays the lead. He has 12 points.

Michigan takes down Texas A&M

Michigan keeps the Big Ten’s success rolling in the NCAA Tournament by beating Texas A&M 91-79. The Wolverines trailed by 10 with 13:17 left in the game but dominated the Aggies over the final minutes to earn the win.

Rodd Gayle Jr. led the Wolverines with 26 points and Vladislav Goldin added 23. Pharrel Payne led the Aggies with 26 points.

Creighton leading top-overall seed Auburn

No. 9 seed Creighton holds a 25-23 lead over top-overall seed Auburn more than midway through the first half. We have arrived as the first media timeout with 7:33 left in the first half.

Michigan lead balloons to 9

Michigan leads 81-72 with 3:37 left in the game. It has been a 24-point swing in the second half for the Wolverines, as Texas A&M has gone cold from the field. The last field goal for the Aggies came 4:21 of game action ago.

Michigan takes lead after run

Michigan holds a 75-70 lead with 5:15 left in the game. The Wolverines are on a 14-3 run, including scoring nine unanswered points. Roddy Gayle Jr. leads Michigan with 22 points, while Vladislav Goldin has 18.

Pharrel Payne leads TAMU with 25 points.

Drake trails Texas Tech by three

Drake opens the second half with eight of the first 12 points and now trail Texas Tech by three points at the media timeout with 16:15 left in the game.

Texas A&M holding off Michigan

Wade Taylor IV hits a 3-pointer to push the Texas A&M lead to 70-66 with 7:56 left in the game. The Wolverines had cut the lead to one, but Taylor made sure Michigan would not have a chance to take the lead on its next possession.

The Aggies called a timeout after the basket, which led to the media timeout.

Michigan cuts Texas A&M lead to four

Early in the second half, Texas A&M pushed its lead to double digits, but Michigan cut the lead back down to four at 61-57 at the under-12-media timeout with 11:35 left in the game. The Wolverines have hit on five straight field goals.

Texas Tech leads Drake 37-30 at halftime

Texas Tech takes a 37-30 lead into halftime over Drake. JT Toppin leads the Red Raiders with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting and eight rebounds. Darrion Williams has 14 points. The rest of the Red Raiders have four points.

Daniel Abreu leads Drake with nine points.

Texas Tech holds lead over Drake

Texas Tech holds a 31-27 lead over Drake with 3:31 left until halftime. The Bulldogs are sticking within striking distance against the Aggies.

Texas A&M leads Michigan at halftime

Texas A&M holds a 39-35 lead over Michigan at halftime. The Wolverines ended the half on a scoring drought, which lasted the final 2:19 and included seven missed shots in a row.

Pharrel Payne leads the Aggies with 14 points. Vladislav Goldin has 12 points to lead the Wolverines.

Texas Tech on upset alert?

Is No. 3 seed Texas Tech on upset alert early in its second-round game? No. 11 seed Drake holds a 18-12 lead over the Red Raiders at the under-12 media timeout following a 7-0 run. The Bulldogs upset No. 6 seed Missouri to advance to the second round.

Texas A&M holds narrow lead vs. Michigan

Texas A&M and Michigan are in a good one, with the Aggies holding a narrow 34-33 lead at the 2:18 mark in the first half.

Texas A&M and Michigan tied

At the second media timeout, Michigan and Texas A&M are tied 17-17 with 11:11 left in the first half.

Danny Wolfe leads the Wolverines with six points. Andersson Garcia leads the Aggies with his six points.

Michigan-Texas A&M underway

The third game of Saturday’s second-round action is underway between No. 5 Michigan and No. 4 Texas A&M. The winner of this matchup will face the winner of No. 1 Auburn and No. 9 Creighton in the Sweet 16.

John Calipari leads Arkansas to Sweet 16

John Calipari and No. 10 Arkansas are moving to the Sweet 16 following a 75-66 win over Rick Pitino and No. 2 St. John’s. The Razorbacks become the first double-digit seed to advance to the Sweet 16.

Billy Richmond III led Arkansas with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Karter Knox added 15 points and six rebounds. Zuby Ejiofor led St. John’s with 23 points in the loss.

Arkansas will play the winner of No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 11 Drake in the Sweet 16 next week.

St. John’s tightens game

With 2:51 remaining, it’s a four-point game with Arkansas leading 68-64. The Red Storm have gotten the game within two points a few times late in the second half, but have been unable to even the game.

Arkansas leads St. John’s by 8

The Razorbacks hold a 61-53 advantage at the under-8-media timeout with 7:57 left in the game. The Red Storm have continued to struggle from the field, shooting 18 of 62 (29%). However, they still have a shot to pull off the win if they can knock down a few more shots.

Arkansas lead up to 12 at media timeout

Arkansas is holding its largest lead of the game, 53-41, at the under-12-media timeout. The Razorbacks have outscored the Red Storm 18-9 in the second half. St. John’s is already at six fouls and will send Arkansas to the free throw line with each foul the rest of the game.

Arkansas’ lead balloons to 7

The Razorbacks’ momentum didn’t slow down during halftime, with Calipari’s team outscoring Pitino’s St. Johns’ team 5-1 in the opening two-and-a-half minutes to open the second half. Arkansas now leads 40-33 at the 17:29 mark.

Arkansas closes first half with 7-0 run vs. St. John’s

Following a disastrous run that included a flagrant and technical foul, John Calipari’s Razorbacks close the first half on a 7-0 run to give them a 35-32 lead over St. John’s.

St. John’s takes lead over Arkansas

After trailing for most of the first half, St. John’s holds a slim 28-27 lead at the under-4-minute media timeout. A flagrant foul against Arkansas helped the Red Storm in the comeback run.

St. John’s struggling from the field

At the under-8 media timeout, Arkansas holds a 22-14 lead over St. John’s with 7:58 left in the half. It’s been a struggle for the Red Storm from the court. St. John’s has missed 13 shots in a row and 14 of its last 16. The Red Storm is shooting 5 of 27 (18.5%) from the field and has not made a field goal in 6:25.

Arkansas leading St. John’s

Arkansas holds an 18-13 lead with 11:42 left in the first half at the second media timeout. Johnell Davis and Karter Knox each have seven points. Both teams are struggling from the field. The Red Storm are shooting 25%, while the Razorbacks are shooting 31.3%.

Arkansas holds early lead over St. John’s

Arkansas holds an early 11-6 advantage over St. John’s at the first media timeout with 15:55 left. Johnell Davis has five points to lead the Razorbacks, while Zuby Ejiofor has four points to lead the Red Storm.

St. John’s-Arkansas tips off

St. John’s and Arkansas have tipped off the second game of Saturday’s action. The second-round matchup pits legendary coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari against one another. Pitino looks to make the Red Storm the fourth program he coaches to the Final Four.

Read Paul Myerberg’s article about the coaches’ respect for each other.

Purdue defeats McNeese 76-62

Purdue is onto the Sweet 16 following a 76-62 win over McNeese on Saturday. Trey Renn-Kaufman led the Boilermakers with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Fletcher Loyer added 15 points and C.J. Cox added 11.

Sincere Parker led McNeese with 17 points in the loss. Purdue will take on the winner of No. 1 Houston and No. 8 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.

Trey Renn-Kaufman leading Purdue

Trey Renn-Kaufman is up to 20 points after scoring five between media timeouts. The Purdue lead is 73-59 with 3:54 remaining.

The Boilermakers will play the winner of No. 1 Houston and No. 8 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 next week.

Purdue up 21 over McNeese State in second half

Purdue is up 65-44 with 7:05 left in the game. Trey Renn-Kaufman has 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way for the Boilermakers. Javohn Garcia leads McNeese with 12 points.

Purdue leading, McNeese State losing cool

Purdue continues to lead, pushing the lead to 48-28 in the second half at the first media timeout. Will Wade and Christian Shumate were hit with technical fouls before the media timeout.

Purdue leads McNeese 38-20 at halftime

Purdue played a strong first half and lead McNeese 38-20 at halftime despite not scoring over the last 3:14 of the first half. Braden Smith leads the Boilermakers with 10 points and Trey Renn-Kauman has eight points.

Quadi Copeland leads McNeese with five points. The Cowboys shot 8 of 26 in the first half.

Purdue dominating McNeese in first half of second-round game

Purdue is in absolute control of the second-round matchup with McNeese. The Boilermakers have used a 7-0 run to push the lead to 20 at 34-14. Purdue is shooting 54.5% from the field and 50% from 3-point range.

McNeese is shooting just 5 of 19 from the field and has struggled to find a rhythm.

Purdue leads by 16 early

Purdue is not messing around today. The Boilermakers are shooting 11 of 15 from the field and hold a 27-11 lead with 9:35 left in the first half. Purdue’s defense has limited the Cowboys to 4 of 13 shooting.

Purdue builds early lead over McNeese

At the first media timeout, Purdue holds a 14-6 lead over McNeese with 15:05 left in the first half. The Boilermakers are shooting 6 of 8 from the field, including two 3-pointers early on. The Cowboys are shooting just 2 of 8 from the field.

Second round underway with Purdue-McNeese

The second round of the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament is officially underway, with Purdue and McNeese tipping off. The Boilermakers have jumped out to a 7-6 advantage in the first two minutes.

How to watch Round 2, starting with Purdue vs McNeese

Meet Amir Khan

Bracket reset for Round 2

Need to catch up on what’s happened before Round 2 starts? Here’s a look at the current bracket and who’s remaining, along with which teams have been eliminated to date.

Houston, Gonzaga put Sweet 16 streaks on the line

Kelvin Sampson and Mark Few are no strangers to the second round, but something has to give in Houston vs Gonzaga Saturday. Houston has made five straight Sweet 16 appearances, whereas Gonzaga has nine straight second-weekend showings. Which streak will snap Saturday, and can the No. 8 Bulldogs upset the No. 1 Cougars?

Breaking down the full Round 2 slate Saturday

Michigan looks to get back Sweet 16

After two years of missing the Sweet 16, Michigan basketball hopes to get back to the second weekend in its second season under Dusty May. The Wolverines have a staunch test in Texas A&M, which is seeking its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2018. The Aggies, led by Buzz Williams in his sixth season, survived a tough Yale team to advance whereas Michigan barely held on against UC San Diego in Round 1.

Rick Pitino, John Calipari gear up for marquee coaching showdown

The players play the game, but coaches often act as figureheads for their teams.

Four Big Ten, SEC teams back in action Saturday

The Big Ten and the SEC sent a record eight teams each to the Round of 32, and both conferences will have four teams each playing Saturday.

For the Big Ten, (4) Purdue will tip off against (12) McNeese, (5) Michigan plays (4) Texas A&M, (3) Wisconsin will see (6) BYU, and (7) UCLA has the nightcap against (2) Tennessee.

On the SEC side, John Calipari and (10) Arkansas play Rick Pitino’s (2) St. John’s, the aforementioned Aggies will play Michigan, No. 1 overall seed Auburn plays a tough No. 9 Creighton, and the Vols will play the Bruins to end the day.

McNeese looks to prove it’s not an underdog

At this point, everyone already knows the saga of Amir ‘Aura’ Khan and Will Wade at McNeese. But the Cowboys didn’t just get by Clemson on good vibes. They outplayed the Tigers to advance.

Today, McNeese gets an early opportunity to go to the Sweet 16 against Matt Painter and Purdue. The resumes couldn’t be more different. It would be McNeese’s first Sweet 16 appearance vs Purdue’s 14th, and sixth since 2010.

Where to watch March Madness

TV channels: CBS | TBS | TNT
Streaming: March Madness Live | Sling TV | Fubo (free trial)

Each of CBS, TBS and TNT will carry men’s March Madness games on Saturday. Streaming options include March Madness Live, which requires a valid cable login.

Other streaming options include Sling TV, which carries TBS and TNT, and Fubo, the latter of which carries CBS and offers a free trial.

Watch select March Madness games with Fubo (free trial)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

 The Women’s March Madness Round of 64 continued on Saturday with 16 games played throughout the day, keeping women’s basketball fans on the edge of their seats for better or worse.

The day’s action began with an eagerly awaited matchup between No. 11 seed Murray State and No. 6 seed Iowa. Iowa, making its sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament, overwhelmed Murray State, winning 92-57.

The UConn Huskies led by Paige Bueckers, the Oklahoma Sooners with Reagan Beers, the USC Trojans under JuJu Watkins, and the Texas Longhorns, led by Madison Booker, all advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after convincing victories.

Between the 16 games played, six of the games resulted in the winning teams scoring 100 points, a March Madness record.

Here are all the women’s March Madness results and action on Saturday as teams battled it out in the crucial Round of 64.

Final: LSU 103, San Diego State 48

Flau’jae Johnson scored 22 points in LSU’s victory over San Diego State. Aneesah Morrow had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. The Tigers’ defense did not allow a single San Diego State player to score double-digit points in the game. Adryana Quezada had eight points for the Aztecs.

LSU will play Florida State in the second round.

Final: Texas 105, William & Mary 61

Madison Booker produced a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds (10 on defense) in the dominant victory for the Longhorns. Taylor Jones had 19 points and six rebounds while Kyla Oldacre had 15 points and 15 rebounds (11 on defense). Bella Nascimento had a team-high 19 points for the Tribe in the loss.

Texas will play Illinois in the second round.

South Dakota State’s statement win

Brooklyn Meyer of South Dakota State talks about the statement win in the first round against Oklahoma State.

Halftime: Texas 50, William & Mary 33

Madison Booker had 12 points and four rebounds for the Longhorns. Taylor Jones added nine points and four rebounds in the first half.

Final: Florida State 94, George Mason 59

Halftime: LSU 49, San Diego State 20

Aneesah Morrow had 12 points and eight rebounds in the first half for the Tigers. Mjracle Sheppard recorded 10 points.

Final: Illinois 66, Creighton 57

Kendall Bostic had 12 points and 17 rebounds (14 on defense) for the Illini. Genesis Bryant had 17 points and four assists in 40 minutes of play. Illinois will play Texas in the next round.

Halftime: Florida State 41, George Mason 29

Ta’Niya Latson leads Florida State with 16 points in the first half. Paula Suarez had 13 points for George Mason. They are the only two players to score double-digits for their respective schools.

Illinois leads Creighton in third quarter

Adalia McKenzie and Illinois lead Creighton 47-41 with 3:17 left in the third quarter. McKenzie has 12 points and four rebounds for the Illini. Genesis Bryant has contributed with 11 points.

JuJu Watkins hangs out with Jayden Daniels after USC’s victory

Watkins was spotted in the crowd for the Mississippi State vs. Cal game chatting with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and his mother.

The former Heisman Trophy winner played college football at Arizona State and LSU but the California native played high school football at Cajon High in San Bernardino, where he led the school to a CIF State Championship.

Daniels was also in attendance for the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets earlier in the week.

FINAL: Mississippi State 59, California 46

Madina Okot had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs in the first-round victory over the Golden Bears. Eniya Russell added 14 points in the win. Mississippi State will play USC in the second round.

Ugonne Onyiah had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the loss.

How JuJu Watkins’ injury scare can help USC in March Madness

LOS ANGELES – No one bothered to bring out a hammock or Barcalounger courtside at the Galen Center.

But JuJu Watkins, Southern California’s All-American guard, got some rest as the Trojans beat No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro 71-25 Saturday in the first round of the women’s NCAA tournament.

‘We’re fortunate that we were able to sit everybody, all the starters down with about 6:30 to go,’ Southern California coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “JuJu probably hasn’t played under 30 minutes in about a month and a half, or whatever, because the Big Ten season is hard.

‘So I think we earned the right to be in a game where we can rest some people somewhat.’ — Josh Peter

Mississippi State’s Jerkaila Jordan gets technical for ‘eating’ celebration

Mississippi State women’s basketball guard Jerkaila Jordan got a technical foul for celebrating in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ first-round NCAA tournament game against Cal on Saturday at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Jordan stole the ball and took it to the other end to finish a layup through contact with 1:47 remaining in the first half, earning a foul call after the bucket.

Jordan quickly celebrated, mimicking eating out of a bowl, turning around to face the endline and her defender on the ground.

The referees immediately blew the whistle for a technical foul for celebrating toward an opponent. According to ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, Mississippi State coach Sam Purcell argued to the refs that Jordan was celebrating toward the TV cameras. — Evan Gerike, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Michigan State beats Harvard

The Spartans are moving on after beating Harvard in Raleigh. It was a low scoring affair but Michigan State found a rhythm with an 11-0 run in the second half to get some breathing room. With a 10-point lead to start the fourth quarter, the Spartans went on an 15-4 run that extended the lead to 21 points with four minutes to go and end any chance for the Crimson. Michigan State moves onto the second round to face NC State on Monday.

North Carolina uses strong second half to beat Oregon State

The Tar Heels left little doubt in their opening round matchup against Oregon State after a dominant second half performance. North Carolina led by only two points at the start of the third quarter, and it went on to outscore the Beavers 30-9 in the third frame for a commanding lead. After that, it was smooth sailing toward a 70-49 win.

North Carolina forced Oregon State into 17 turnovers, which it turned into 22 points. The Tar Heels dominated the paint with 40 points near the bucket, and Lexi Donarski took care of business around the perimeter with 15 of her game-high 19 points from 3-point land.

Harvard hanging around with Michigan State

Could a third No. 10 seed be moving onto the second round? Ivy League champion Harvard trails No. 7 Michigan State 45-35 heading into the fourth quarter. It’s been a tough day shooting on both sides, but Crimson guard Harmoni Turner has kept her team in the game with a game-high 19 points.

JuJu Watkins injury update

JuJu Watkins walked into the postgame interview room without a limp, a positive sign after getting banged up during No. 1 Southern California’s 71-25 win over No. 16 UNC Greensboro.

So what happened?

‘I don’t know,’ Watkins said. ‘You know it’s end of the season, body’s a little banged up. But on to the next…’

And she’s OK?

‘Oh, yeah,’ she said. ‘I’m all right. Don’t worry.’’ — Josh Peter and Banji Bamidele

Maryland beats Norfolk State after trailing at half

No. 4 seed Maryland refused to panic on its home court and relied on Sarah Te-Biasu and Kaylene Smikle’s clutch 3-point shooting  to beat No. 13 seed Norfolk State 82-69. The Spartans, champions of the MEAC who entered with a 19-game win streak, didn’t make it easy, cutting Maryland’s lead to 60-56 with 8 minutes remaining. A 3-pointer from Te-Biasu and a pair of threes from Smikle gave the Terps a 69-58 lead.

The Terps meet No. 5 seed Alabama on Monday with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. — Roxanna Scott

North Carolina pulling away from Oregon State

An upset was brewing in Chapel Hill, but No. 3 North Carolina has taken a 13-point lead over No. 14 Oregon State 32-24 midway through the second half. The lead went back-and-forth in the first half and the Tar Heels went into halftime with a slim two-point lead. The Beavers have controlled the boards but turnovers have been an issue. North Carolina has 16 points off 12 Oregon State turnovers and started the third quarter on an 11-0 run.

South Dakota State upsets Oklahoma State

The No. 10 seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits defeated the No. 7 Oklahoma State Cowgirls 74-68 to advance to the next round of the NCAA Tournament. Brooklyn Meter led the Jackrabbits in scoring with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Paige Meyer contributed with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Together, they have propelled the Jackrabbits forward in their March Madness journey.

It’s over: Southern California 71, UNC Greensboro 25

The No. 1 seeded Trojans, who’d been off for two weeks, were not at their best. But they were more than good enough against No. 16 UNC Greensboro.

They overcame a ragged start thanks to a smothering defense that held UNC Greensboro in the first half to just 11 points and 3-of-25 shooting from the floor.

The Trojans also blocked 10 shots, including seven from senior post player Rayah Marshall.

Watkins finished with a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and question about a banged up left wrist and rolled left ankle.

Southern California will play Mississippi State game Monday in the second round. — Josh Peter

South Dakota State holds slim lead in the 4th

The No. 10 seed, South Dakota State, leads No. 7 Oklahoma State 56-50 with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter.

How healthy is JuJu?

With 6:18 left in the game, she headed to the bench. Because the Trojans are burying UNC Greensboro or perhaps because the rolled left ankle could use the rest. She also sat the final 3:39 of the third quarter after she rolled her ankle on a drive to the basket. Then there’s the left wrist she hurt during a fall in the second quarter. But despite all of that, she’s got a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds. — Josh Peters

North Carolina and Oregon State underway

The No. 14 seed Oregon State Beavers are keeping it close against the No. 3 seed North Carolina Tar Heels in their first-round matchup. The Tar Heels lead 6-5 with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter.

Harvard and Michigan State underway

The No. 7 seed Michigan State takes an early 11-2 lead against No. 10 seed Harvard with 5:39 left in the first quarter.

OK, so these are the real Trojans?

The anxiety that circulated in this building is long gone.

Remember when Southern California led 12-10 and looked oddly disjointed against UNC Greensboro? What a distant memory.

Through three quarters, the Trojans are up by 37 points at 53-16.

Watkins leads all scorers with 20 points to go along with eight rebounds. After committing three turnovers in the first half, Watkins has been spotless with her ball handling. — Josh Peters

JuJu getting banged up

Watkins could need some attention from the training staff after this game ends. In the second quarter, she hurt her left wrist after a fall and afterward kept massing it.

Then, in the third quarter, she rolled her left ankle on a drive to the basket. Hobbling as she rejoined her teammates, he promptly buried a 3-pointer, and the Trojans have built a 30-point lead at 45-15 with 2:45 left in the quarter. — Josh Peters

Norfolk State comes out hot vs. Maryland

No. 13 seed Norfolk State came out hot on Maryland’s home court, jumping out to a 7-0 lead at Xfinity Center in College Park. The No. 4 seed Terps settled in with Sarah Te-Biasu’s 3-pointer cutting the deficit to one with 3:30 left in the first quarter. Allie Kubek gave Maryland its first lead with a layup at the 1:30 mark, and the Terps were up 18-12 after the first quarter. — Roxanna Scott

Oklahoma advances to the next round

The No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners defeated the No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 81-58 to advance to the second round of the March Madness tournament. Raegan Beers had an impressive performance for the Sooners, scoring 25 points and grabbing an astounding 18 rebounds. Skylar Vann also made significant contributions to the victory, netting 24 points and recording nine rebounds.

Southern California pulling away

The Trojans opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, with Watkins chipping in four points as Southern California went ahead 36-11 –  its largest lead. UNC Greensboro pulled back within 21 points, but back-to-back buckets for the Trojans prompted the Spartan to take a timeout. — Josh Peters

West Virginia moves on

The No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the No. 11 Columbia Tigers 78-59 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. JJ Quinerly delivered an impressive performance, finishing with 27 points, four rebounds, and seven assists.

Southern California creates breathing room

The video from the first half of the Southern California-UNC Greensboro does not belong in a time capsule, with Southern California leading 28-11. The Spartans are shooting 12.0 % (3-for-25). The Trojans are shooting 35.7 % (10-for-28) but only 1-for-6 from 3 point range.

Watkins has 11 points and seven rebounds, both game highs.

While the offense has at time looked abysmal, the defense has been scintillating. UNC Greensboro entered the game 51.8 points a game, lowest in the nation. In a game that looked to close for comfort for the Trojans, they intensified the defense and it helped fuel a 14-0 run.

UNC Greensboro’s defense has been outstanding too. — Josh Peters

NC State moves on to the second round

The No. 2 seed NC State Wolfpack secured their spot in the next round of the women’s NCAA Tournament by defeating the No. 15 seed Vermont 75-55. The Wolfpack was led by Zoe Brooks, who scored 19 points while Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers combined for 30 in the first round victory.

USC turns up the heat

USC has turned up the heat on defense with backcourt traps, helping spark a 8-0 run. Watkins’ capped it with a layup that prompted UNC Greensboro to call a timeout with Southern California up 20-10 – its first double-digit lead. — Josh Peter

South Dakota State and Oklahoma State underway

No. 10 seed South Dakota and No. 7 seed Oklahoma State’s game has tipped off. The Jackrabbits hold a one-point lead over the Cowgirls, leading 9-8 with 5:12 left in the first quarter.

West Virginia holds healthy lead in the 4th

No. 6 seed West Virginia leads the No. 11 Columbia Lions 65-45 with 9:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jordan Harrison continues to shine for the Mountaineers with 23 points, four rebounds, and five assists.

UNC challenging Southern California

UNC Greensboro is holding the high-powered Southern California offense in check. After one quarter, the Trojans lead 12-8 and are shooting % 5-for-14. As good as UNC Greensboro has been on defense, it’s been just as horrific on offense. The Spartans are shooting 21.4 % (3-for-14). — Josh Peters

Alabama rolls past Green Bay

Aaliyah Nye hit four 3-pointers and scored 23 points to lead No. 5 seed Alabama past No. 12 Green Bay 81-67 in College Park, Maryland. Green Bay fought but couldn’t keep up with the Tide in the paint. The Phoenix pulled within five points early in the fourth quarter, but Nye hit two late 3-pointers to put the game out of reach. Alabama plays Maryland in the next round. — Roxanna Scott

Oklahoma has 10 point lead into halftime

No. 3 seed Oklahoma Sooners lead the No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles by 10 points, with a score of 36-26. Raegan Beer is the leading scorer for the Sooners with 13 points and eight rebounds.

USC and UNC Greensboro underway

So much for the early blowout. Southern California jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but scrappy UNC Greensboro then pulled within 8-5 with 4:45 left in the opening quarter. Both teams are playing impressive defense. The Trojans have three blocked shots and UNC Greensboro has two.

JuJu Watkins is 1-for-3 from the floor. —— Josh Peter

West Virginia lead Columbia into halftime

The No. 6 seed West Virginia Mountaineers are leading the No. 11 Columbia Lions 46-29 at halftime. JJ Quinerly and Jordan Harrison have each scored 16 points in the first half for the Mountaineers.

NC State hold slim lead over Vermont at the half

The No. 2 seed NC State lead the No. 15 seed Vermont 35-33 at the start of the second half.

JuJu Watkins’ bun is superpower for USC at March Madness

A first team All-American, JuJu Watkins is trying to lead USC to its first national title since 1984. She’s averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals. A 6-foot-2 guard, she’s also tied for the team lead in blocked shots with 1.9 per game.

If you’re wondering how she plays at such a terrific level with a magnificent, crisp high bun, read more here. — Josh Peter

Love, hate mingle at USC game

The love: Sisters Aylah Johnson, 7, and Ari Johnson, wearing puffy buns and No. 12 jersey in tribute to USC superstar JuJu Watkins. They’re rocking the JuJu look since Watkins joined the team last year, said their father, Justin.

The hate: Art Ortiz, wearing around his neck a vanity plate that reads: “H8 BRUIN.’’ As in hating the UCLA Bruins. Ortiz took out his phone and showed a photo of Watkins autographing his license plate he said he pulled off one of his former cars.

“I’m a super fan of USC,’’ said Ortiz, who did not need to note he’s also a super hater of UCLA. — Josh Peter

No. 2 seed UConn advances in style

The No. 2 seed UConn Huskies dominated the No. 15 Arkansas State Red Wolves, winning 103-34. Azzi Fudd was a standout player for the Huskies, scoring 27 points and providing seven assists. Additionally, Sarah Strong and Ashlynn Shade teamed up to contribute an impressive total of 40 points in this Round of 64 victory.

Alabama leads Green Bay at the half

The No. 5 seed Alabama leads No. 12 seed Green Bay 38-29 at halftime. The Crimson Tide is led in scoring by Zaay Green with 14 points.

NC State and Vermont underway

No. 2 NC State is facing No. 15 Vermont, with the Wolfpack taking an early 16-8 lead against the Catamounts. There are 3:05 remaining in the first quarter.

UConn doesn’t let off the gas

No. 2 UConn leads No. 15 Arkansas 66-16 at halftime. Azzi Fudd is the leading scorer for the Huskies with 21 points and seven assists, while Ashlynn Shade contributed 13 points off the bench.

Columbia and West Virginia underway

No. 6 seed West Virginia and No. 11 seed Columbia are underway, with the Mountaineers holding a slim lead over the Lions. West Virginia leads Columbia 14-10 with 6:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Alabama and Green Bay underway

No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Green Bay have tipped off, with the Crimson Tide taking a slim lead at the end of the first quarter. Alabama leads Green Bay 19-17 as the second quarter begins.

No. 6 Iowa cruises to the second round

The No. 6 Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the No. 11 Murray State Racers 92-57, advancing to the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Ava Heiden led the scoring for the Hawkeyes, contributing 15 points and seven rebounds. Hannah Stuelk and Sydney Affolter combined for 22 points, aiding in the Hawkeyes’ victory in the first round.

Iowa extends lead by 30 in the final minute

The No. 6 Iowa Hawkeyes are dominating No. 11 Murray State 88-56 in the final minutes, ensuring their March Madness journey continues while sending the Racers home early from the tournament.

UConn running away with it early

The No. 2seed UConn Huskies are making a strong statement in the first quarter against the No. 15 seed Arkansas State Red Wolves, finishing the quarter with a score of 34-5. Both Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd contributed significantly, scoring 13 points each in the first quarter.

UConn-Arkansas State is underway

The No. 2 seed UConn Huskies are facing off against the No. 15 seed Arkansas State Red Wolves, and the Huskies have come out strong, quickly building an early double-digit lead in the first quarter. With 6:56 remaining in the first quarter, UConn leads Arkansas State 13-2.

Murray State’s Katelyn Young exits the game

Katelyn Young was helped off the court early in the third quarter due to what appeared to be a foot injury. She had scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds in the first half of the game against Iowa.

Iowa leads Murray State at the half

The No. 6 seed Iowa Hawkeyes lead the Murray State Racers 42-30 at halftime. Ava Heiden came off the bench to contribute 13 points, while Lucy Olson finished the first half with 12 points and six assists.

Murray State keeps it close against Iowa

No. 11 Murray State continues to battle against No. 6 Iowa, with Ava Learn leading the Racers by scoring six points and grabbing ten rebounds. Lucy Olsen is leading the Hawkeyes with ten points and six assists. Iowa holds a 33-26 lead over Murray State with just two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Iowa up by 6 in the first quarter

No. 6 seed Iowa is leading No. 11 seed Murray State 18-12 at the end of the first quarter in the first matchup of the day.

Saturday’s women’s first round underway

Saturday’s women’s NCAA tournament round of 64 has begun with No. 11 Murray State going up against No. 6 Iowa. The next game of the day will feature No. 15 Arkansas facing No. 2 UConn at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

What time are March Madness games today?

Women’s March Madness continues Saturday with another 16 games slated throughout the day. The action kicks off with No. 11 Murray State taking on No. 6 Iowa at 12 p.m. ET. The first-round concludes with No. 14 San Diego State vs. No. 3 LSU at 10:10 p.m. ET.

How to watch March Madness Friday: TV, streaming coverage 

TV channels: Coverage across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN News
Live stream: March Madness Live | ESPN app | Fubo

Watch Women’s March Madness with Fubo

When is the Women’s Final Four?

The women’s NCAA Tournament comes to a close starting on Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. with the second semifinal starting 30 minutes after the first game ends. Both games will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The championship game will take place two days later on Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena.

Must-see Women’s March Madness Games today

No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 11 Murray State

Time, TV: Saturday, 12 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Murray State has the leading scoring offense in the nation (87.8 ppg) and averages 10.2 3-pointers per game. Speaking of threes, Iowa’s Lucy Olsen is averaging a career-high 36% from beyond the arc. Look forward to a high-scoring game. Look forward to a high-scoring game. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY

If you like points, be sure to tune into this one. Murray State, led by Katelyn Young, averages almost 90 points per game. Iowa will have to score a lot to fend off the Racers. — Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser

No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 South Dakota State

Time, TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Oklahoma State had a great season but it faces a Jackrabbit team that knows how to win in March. South Dakota State has shown it is capable of playing against top teams, and the Cowgirls have a tough test awaiting them. — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY

These two teams have done a lot of winning this season and the Jackrabbits have hung around with top competition this season and could pull the upset on Saturday. — Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times

No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Harvard

Time, TV: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Fubo)

Harmoni Turner is a three-level scorer with a signature three-point shot that’s hard to defend. Teams have struggled to contain her, making Michigan State a prime candidate for the upset list. — Meghan Hall, For The Win

Harmoni Turner is one of the best guards in the nation, and she just might lead Harvard to an upset on Saturday. — Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel

No. 8 Cal vs No. 9 Mississippi State

Time, TV: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)

Both teams hung with top talent late in the regular season (MSU almost beat Texas, Cal lost by 9 to Notre Dame) but both also have some interesting losses. Sam Purcell and his Bulldogs have a lot of heart, but can they stop five scorers from Cal who are averaging 11 or more points per game? — Lulu Kesin, Greenville News

What channel is March Madness on?

Coverage for Saturday’s Day 2 action will be broadcast The 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament will air on the ESPN family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNews. ABC will also carry two games today. You can also watch the conclusion of the first round via streaming options: March Madness Live, ESPN app and Fubo, which offers a free trial subscription to new users.

Women’s March Madness odds

March Madness championship odds, according to BetMGM. Odds as of Friday, March 21.

Here’s a full look at the favorites to win the women’s tournament, everyone who sits at better odds than +5000.

South Carolina (+220)
UConn (+240)
UCLA (+550)
Texas (+700)
USC (+700)
Notre Dame (+1100)
NC State (+3500)
LSU (+5000)
Duke (+5000)
TCU (+5000)

Women’s March Madness 2025 expert predictions

USA TODAY experts set their picks ahead of the NCAA Tournament. Here is who they picked to win the national championship.

Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UConn over Duke
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: USC over South Carolina
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: South Carolina over UCLA
Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: South Carolina over UConn
Lulu Kesin, Greenville News: South Carolina over UConn
Meghan Hall, For The Win: South Carolina over USC
Mike Sykes, For The Win: UConn over South Carolina
Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: UConn over Notre Dame
Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times: UConn over South Carolina
Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: UConn over South Carolina

Norfolk State on a tear entering NCAAs

No. 13 Norfolk State enters today’s game against No. 4 Maryland on a 19-game win streak and a 30-4 overall record. The Spartans earned their third consecutive trip to March Madness and reached 30 wins for the second time in school history.

The team is led by guard Diamond Johnson, a graduate student who averages 19 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Johnson, who transferred from NC State two seasons ago, says she’s proud to show the world what HBCU basketball is all about. It’s not just Norfolk State, Johnson says, after watching Southern beat San Diego in Wednesday’s play-in game.

“HBCU’s we kind of like the underdog.  Like you said, the SWAC, the MEAC, not a lot people know about a lot of HBCUs,” she said Friday. “It’s not just for us, it’s for literally every HBCU in the world and even just mid-majors that don’t get the recognition that I feel like they should.”— Roxanna Scott

Women’s March Madness printable bracket

Click here to print your 2025 NCAA women’s tournament printable bracket

2025 NCAA women’s tournament bracket: Schedule, scores and results

All times Eastern.

Wednesday, March 19 (First Four)

No. 11 Iowa State def. 11 Princeton, 68-63
No. 16 Southern U. def. No. 16 UC San Diego, 68-56

Thursday, March 20 (First Four)

No. 11 Columbia def. No. 11 Washington, 63-60
No. 16 Williams & Mary def. No. 16 High Point, 69-63

Friday, March 21 (First Round/Round of 64)

No. 6 Michigan def. No. 11 Iowa State, 80-74
No. 4 Kentucky def. No. 13 Liberty, 79-78
No. 9 Indiana def. No. 8 Utah, 74-68
No. 3 Notre Dame def. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin 106-54
No. 5 Kansas State def. No. 12 Fairfield 85-41
No. 4 Baylor def. No. 13 Grand Canyon 73-60
No. 2 TCU def. No. 15 FDU 73-51
No. 1 South Carolina def. No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48
No. 10 Oregon def. No. 7 Vanderbilt 77-73
No. 4 Ohio State def. No. 13 Montana State 71-51
No. 5 Ole Miss def. No. 12 Ball State 83-65
No. 7 Louisville def. No. 10 Nebraska, 63-58
No. 8 Richmond def. No. 9 Georgia Tech 74-49
No. 2 Duke def. No. 15 Lehigh 86-25
No. 5 Tennessee def. No. 12 South Florida 101-66
No. 1 UCLA def. No. 16 Southern U., 84-46

Saturday, March 22 (First Round/Round of 64)

No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 11 Murray State, 12 p.m.| ESPN
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Arkansas State, 1 p.m. | ABC
No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 12 Green Bay, 1:30 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 2 NC State vs. No. 15 Vermont, 2 p.m. | ESPN
No. 6 West Virginia vs. No. 11 Columbia 2 p.m. | ESPNews
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 FGCU, 2:30 p.m. | ESPNU
No. 1 Southern California vs. No. 16 UNC Greensboro, 3 p.m. | ABC
No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 South Dakota State, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Norfolk State, 4 p.m. | ESPN
No. 3 North Carolina vs. No. 14 Oregon State, 4:30 p.m. | ESPNU
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Harvard, 4:30 p.m. | ESPNews
No. 8 California vs. No. 9 Mississippi State, 5:30 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Creighton, 7:15 p.m. | ESPNews
No. 6 Florida State vs. No. 11 George Mason, 7:45 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 16 William & Mary, 9:45 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 3 LSU vs. No. 14 San Diego State, 10:15 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 23 (Second Round/Round of 32)

No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 2 Duke, 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 3 Notre Dame, 1 p.m. | ABC
No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 4 Kentucky, 2 p.m. | ESPN
No. 9 Indiana vs. No. 1 South Carolina, 3 p.m. | ABC
No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Baylor, 4 p.m. | ESPN
No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 2 TCU, 6 p.m. | ESPN
No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 4 Ohio State, 8 p.m. | ESPN
No. 8 Richmond vs. No. 1 UCLA, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Monday, March 24 (Second Round/Round of 32)

TBD

Friday, March 28 (Sweet 16)

TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. | ESPN
TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
TBD vs. TBD, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, March 29 (Sweet 16)

TBD vs. TBD, 1 p.m. | ABC
TBD vs. TBD, 3:30 p.m. | ABC
TBD vs. TBD, 5:30 p.m. | ABC
TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 30 (Elite Eight)

TBD vs. TBD, 1 p.m. | ABC
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC

Monday, March 31 (Elite Eight)

TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, April 4 (Final Four)

TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, April 6 (National Championship game)

TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC

Women’s March Madness upset predictions: Cinderella team predictions

Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, USA TODAY experts highlight several potential bracket busters. Here is who they picked.

No. 13 Grand Canyon
No. 12 Green Bay
No. 10 Harvard
No. 7 Vanderbilt
No. 6 Florida State
No. 6 Michigan
No. 5 Tennessee

When is the Women’s Final Four?

The women’s NCAA Tournament comes to a close starting on Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. with the second semifinal starting 30 minutes after the first game ends. Both games will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The championship game will take place two days later on Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

LeBron James is back.

After missing seven games with a left groin muscle strain, the Los Angeles Lakers star forward returned for Saturday night’s 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls, two weeks after he sustained the injury March 8 against the Celtics.

This comes as welcome news for Los Angeles, which struggled at times to keep pace in the Western Conference since James got hurt; after winning eight of the first 11 games Luka Dončić played in since the team acquired him in a blockbuster trade, the Lakers lost four of the seven games James missed with the groin issue.

Los Angeles (43-26) also has been dealing with various other injuries, including respective knee ailments that sidelined center Jaxson Hayes and forward Rui Hachimura — both starters — and an ankle issue backup forward Dorian Finney-Smith has been managing.

With so many key players absent, opposing defenses swarmed Dončić, trying to force the ball out of his hands and disrupting Los Angeles’ offensive rhythm.

James, 40, had been producing at levels comparable to his final MVP season, which came during the 2012-13 season when he played for the Miami Heat. In 58 games this year, James is averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.

Before Los Angeles’ first game without James, a March 10 loss against a Brooklyn Nets team that entered the night on a seven-game losing streak, coach JJ Reddick had said he had not gotten any clarity on the severity of the injury and that James was “still being evaluated to some degree.”

James, however, did not appear to favor the injury as he walked around the floor during timeouts and during celebrations when the Lakers scored. He remained an active presence with the team as he received treatment for the injury.

“Not much concern,” James had said March 8 of the injury. “Obviously day-to-day and look at it each day and see if it gets better and then take the proper measures and see what we need to do moving forward.”

James has previously dealt with groin issues; during the 2018-19 season, James missed 17 games with a groin strain suffered Christmas Day, though the injury lingered through the remainder of that season.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James recently became the first player in league history to surpass 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs.

What did LeBron James do during return vs. Bulls?

James played 31 minutes, 25 seconds, recording 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three assists.

On Saturday, the No. 1 seed Trojans secured a 71-25 win over the 16-seed Spartans following a solid outing from Watkins, who scored 22 points and had eight rebounds, two assists and three steals. Watkins suffered multiple injuries, including a wrist and ankle, but was able to finish her day through part of the fourth quarter before being pulled.

‘We’re fortunate that we were able to sit everybody ― all the starters down with about 6:30 to go,’ Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb said postgame. “JuJu [Watkins] probably hasn’t played under 30 minutes in about a month and a half, or whatever, because the Big Ten season is hard. So, I think we earned the right to be in a game where we can rest some people somewhat.’

Despite getting banged up against UNC Greensboro, Watkins still smiled. After the game, she sat in the stands with NFL Rookie of the Year and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who came to see her play during March Madness.