The 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship is set to be an exhilarating event. It will bring together 64 of the best teams from across the nation in a thrilling single-elimination tournament. This year’s championship promises to deliver intense competition, unforgettable moments, and a showcase of emerging basketball talent.
The tournament kicked off with the selection show on March 3, and the action has been non-stop ever since. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship, including the schedule, how to watch, and key matchups to look out for.
2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship Overview
The 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship features a 64-team, single-elimination tournament. This year’s tournament includes 43 automatic qualifiers and 21 at-large bids, ensuring a diverse and competitive field. The semifinals and championship game will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on March 20 and 22, respectively.
Selection Show and Tournament Kickoff
The excitement began with the selection show on Monday, March 3, at 12:30 p.m. ET. Fans tuned in to NCAA.com to see which teams made the cut and to get a first look at the tournament bracket. The full list of qualifiers was released during the show, and the tournament has been a rollercoaster of emotions ever since.
First Round Highlights
The first round of the tournament took place on Friday, March 7, and it did not disappoint. Some of the standout performances included:
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- Tufts 83, Yeshiva 66
- Ithaca 80, Stockton 69
- Western New England 83, Hamilton 73
- Randolph-Macon 82, Westfield State 48
- Mary Washington 73, Drew 58
- Roanoke 71, Pfeiffer 70
- Redlands 89, St. Joseph’s (ME) 79
- Pitt.-Bradford 98, TCNJ 96
These games set the stage for an exciting second round, with several teams emerging as early favorites.
Second Round and Sectionals
The second round of the tournament took place on Saturday, March 8, and saw even more thrilling matchups. Some key results included:
- Redlands 95, Tufts 93 (OT)
- WPI 97, Ithaca 91
- Western New England 79, Montclair State 61
- Catholic 79, Randolph-Macon 67
- Mary Washington 86, Ramapo 81
- Roanoke 77, Chris. Newport 75
- Hampden-Sydney 81, Pitt.-Bradford 75
- Emory 84, Berry 68
The sectionals, held on March 14 and 15, further narrowed the field. Key matchups included:
- Catholic 95, Roanoke 91
- Redlands 83, Hampden-Sydney 72
- WashU 59, Wis. Lutheran 56
- Emory 80, Mary Washington 78
- Trinity (CT) 79, Western New England 42
- NYU 91, Hardin-Simmons 59
- Wesleyan (CT) 66, WPI 50
- Wis.-La Crosse 72, Ill. Wesleyan 65
Semifinals and Championship
The semifinals are set for Thursday, March 20, with the following matchups:
- Wesleyan (CT) vs. Trinity (CT), 5:30 p.m. ET
- NYU vs. WashU, 8 p.m. ET
The winners of these games will face off in the national championship on Saturday, March 22, at 4 p.m. ET. All games will be broadcast live on ESPN+, allowing fans to catch every moment of the action.
Past Champions and Historical Context
As we look forward to crowning a new champion, it’s worth reflecting on the recent history of the NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship. Here are the champions and runners-up from the last decade:
- 2024: Trine (29-4), Coach Brooks Miller, 69-61 vs. Hampden-Sydney
- 2023: Christopher Newport (30-3), Coach John Krikorian, 74-72 vs. Mount Union
- 2022: Randolph-Macon (33-1), Coach Josh Merkel, 75-45 vs. Elmhurst
- 2021: Canceled due to Covid-19
- 2020: Canceled due to Covid-19
- 2019: Wisconsin-Oshkosh (29-3), Coach Matt Lewis, 96-82 vs. Swarthmore
- 2018: Nebraska Wesleyan (30-3), Coach Dale Wellman, 78-72 vs. Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- 2017: Babson (31-2), Coach Stephen Brennan, 79-78 vs. Augustana (Ill.)
- 2016: St. Thomas (MN) (30-3), Coach John Tauer, 82-76 vs. Benedictine (Ill.)
- 2015: Wisconsin-Stevens Point (27-5), Coach Bob Semling, 70-54 vs. Augustana (Ill.)
How to Watch the 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship
Fans can catch all the action of the 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship live on ESPN+. Whether you’re tuning in for the semifinals on March 20 or the championship game on March 22, make sure to mark your calendars and set your reminders. For those who want to follow along with the interactive bracket or print out a copy, visit the official NCAA website.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship is shaping up to be an unforgettable event.
With a field of talented teams, thrilling matchups, and a storied history, this tournament is a must-watch for basketball fans.
Stay tuned to see which team will emerge victorious and claim the coveted title of national champion.
For more information on the 2025 NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship, visit the NCAA website.
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