The wait is over. The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First Round begins Friday, March 21, with 16 high-stakes games that will define the opening chapter of this year’s March Madness.
From powerhouse programs like South Carolina and UCLA to potential bracket-busting underdogs, today’s action sets the tone for the tournament ahead.
With games spanning across ESPN’s family of networks and thousands of fans tuning in, here’s everything you need to know to follow today’s first-round frenzy.
Women’s March Madness: Key Matchups to Watch on March 21
Notre Dame (3) vs. Stephen F. Austin (14)
- Time: 2:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Location: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Indiana
Notre Dame enters the tournament after a rocky few weeks, slipping from a projected top seed. Still, the Irish are favored by over 30 points against SFA. Expect a dominant performance but keep an eye on how ND handles early pressure.
Kansas State (5) vs. Fairfield (12)
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPNews
Fairfield is no stranger to the tournament but has rarely drawn this much attention. Kansas State brings back star center Ayoka Lee, and her return to postseason play could spell trouble for the mid-major underdogs.
South Carolina (1) vs. Tennessee Tech (16)
- Time: 4:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
The Gamecocks begin their title defense as the top seed in the Albany 1 region. Freshman sensation MiLaysia Fulwiley is one to watch, as South Carolina looks to reassert its dominance from tip-off.
Richmond (8) vs. Georgia Tech (9)
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPNews
This one has upset potential. Richmond has been strong all season, while Georgia Tech is inconsistent but dangerous. The winner is likely headed to face UCLA, so both squads are highly motivated.
Complete Schedule for Friday, March 21 (All Times Eastern)
- 11:30 AM – (6) Michigan vs. (11) Iowa State – ESPN2
- 12:00 PM – (4) Kentucky vs. (13) Liberty – ESPN
- 1:30 PM – (8) Utah vs. (9) Indiana – ESPN2
- 2:00 PM – (3) Notre Dame vs. (14) Stephen F. Austin – ESPN
- 2:30 PM – (5) Kansas State vs. (12) Fairfield – ESPNews
- 3:30 PM – (4) Baylor vs. (13) Grand Canyon – ESPNU
- 3:30 PM – (2) TCU vs. (15) FDU – ESPN2
- 4:00 PM – (1) South Carolina vs. (16) Tennessee Tech – ESPN
- 5:30 PM – (7) Vanderbilt vs. (10) Oregon – ESPNews
- 5:30 PM – (4) Ohio State vs. (13) Montana State – ESPN2
- 6:00 PM – (5) Ole Miss vs. (12) Ball State – ESPNU
- 6:00 PM – (7) Louisville vs. (10) Nebraska – ESPN
- 7:30 PM – (8) Richmond vs. (9) Georgia Tech – ESPNews
- 8:00 PM – (2) Duke vs. (15) Lehigh – ESPNU
- 8:00 PM – (5) Tennessee vs. (12) South Florida – ESPN
- 10:00 PM – (1) UCLA vs. (16) Southern U. – ESPN
Where to Watch March Madness
All games will be available to stream on the ESPN app with a valid TV provider. You can also follow live updates, brackets, and highlights on NCAA.com and social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram using the #MarchMadness hashtag.
Players to Watch Today
- Ayoka Lee (Kansas State) – Her size and inside dominance can be game-altering.
- MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina) – The freshman phenom has already drawn national buzz.
- Lauren Betts (UCLA) – Towering presence and rebounding machine leading the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed.
Why It Matters
Day one of the First Round is where brackets are made or broken. Cinderella runs begin here, and blowouts offer early confidence to contenders. With over 145,000 travelers and fans tuning in from around the country, today is a showcase of talent, tradition, and dreams.
Sources: NCAA.com, ESPN, CTInsider, OneFootDown, SwishAppeal, SB Nation
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