March 20, 2025 – The madness has officially begun! Today marks the start of the Round of 64 in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and college hoops fans are already losing their minds over brackets, upsets, and standout performances. With the First Four wrapping up earlier this week, the field is set at 64 teams Clicking here, and the action is wall-to-wall. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is stealing the spotlight, Auburn’s holding strong as the No. 1 overall seed, and early games—like Alabama State’s buzzer-beater—are setting the tone. Here’s what’s trending today as March Madness 2025 tips off!
Duke and Cooper Flagg: The Spotlight Shines Bright
All eyes are on Duke today, and for good reason—Cooper Flagg is the name on everyone’s lips. The freshman sensation, a projected top NBA draft pick, has oddsmakers pegging Duke as a title favorite (+360 odds, per Yahoo Sports). Despite a lingering injury question mark from the ACC tournament, posts on X today suggest Flagg’s ready to roll, with fans buzzing about his health and potential. A BetMGM trader noted, “If Flagg can play, action will pour in on Duke.” The Blue Devils face their first test today, and Flagg’s blend of scoring, defense, and sheer hype has Duke looking like a juggernaut. Can they live up to the billing? Game one will tell us a lot.
Auburn’s No. 1 Seed Swagger
Auburn enters today as the No. 1 overall seed, a nod to their dominant regular season (16-5 in Quad 1 games, per Yahoo Sports). The Tigers, led by National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, edged out a 31-3 Duke team for the top spot despite a late-season stumble. Their first-round matchup today is a chance to flex that muscle. Web reports highlight Auburn’s résumé—five losses, all to high seeds like Duke and Tennessee—showing they’ve been battle-tested. X posts this morning are hyping Broome’s impact, with one fan calling him “the key to Auburn’s first title.” They’re +400 to win it all, and today’s game will set the tone.
Early Drama: Alabama State and North Carolina Shine
The First Four already delivered fireworks, and it’s carrying over into today. Alabama State stunned St. Francis 70-68 on Tuesday with a layup at the buzzer, a clip that’s blowing up online. Yahoo Sports called it “a thrilling finish,” and X users are hailing the Hornets as this year’s Cinderella hopeful. They’re a long shot, but that’s what March is all about. Meanwhile, North Carolina crushed San Diego State in the First Four, a statement win that’s got Tar Heel fans buzzing. Today’s Round of 64 slate promises more chaos—16 games across four regions, per CBSSports.com—and upsets are already on everyone’s mind.
What’s Happening Today?
The Round of 64 tips off today with wall-to-wall action—games start with Creighton vs. Louisville, per Yahoo Sports, and run all day on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. NCAA.com confirms streaming’s live on NCAA March Madness Live and Max, so you won’t miss a second. Experts are eyeing matchups like Michigan vs. UC San Diego, where size could be the difference, and Gonzaga (a No. 8 seed but ninth in KenPom rankings) as a sneaky upset pick. X posts this morning show fans debating brackets, with one user noting, “12-5 upsets are coming—watch out!” Historically, 33 of 39 tournaments have seen a No. 12 seed win in Round 1, so keep an eye on those lines.
Brackets and Predictions
Your bracket’s locked by now—or it should be, with the men’s window closing this morning! Duke, Auburn, Florida (+350 odds), and Houston top the betting boards, but the beauty of March Madness is its unpredictability. SportsLine’s model, which beat 91% of CBS Sports bracket players four of the last six years, is teasing big upsets—think double-digit seeds like Arkansas over Kansas. X sentiment today leans toward Duke, but Auburn and Florida have their backers. Who’s your pick to cut down the nets on April 7? The road starts now.
Get Ready for the Ride
Day one of March Madness 2025 is here, and it’s already electric. From Flagg’s star power to Auburn’s depth, North Carolina’s resurgence, and Alabama State’s heroics, the storylines are piling up. Grab your popcorn, refresh your bracket, and dive in—this is just the start of the chaos. What’s your bold prediction? Drop it below and let’s talk ball!