March Madness is upon us, and the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises to deliver thrilling matchups and potential upsets that fans won’t want to miss. With 32 games packed into a two-day feast, prioritizing which games to watch can be daunting.
Here’s a breakdown of the must-watch games, informed by full-bracket predictions from experts Brendan Marks, C.J. Moore, and Lindsay Schnell from The Athletic.
The Best Game of the First Round: (6) Missouri vs. (11) Drake
Scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET on truTV, this matchup between Missouri and Drake is a clash of contrasting styles.
Missouri, having navigated the rigorous SEC schedule, faces Drake, a team labeled as the *Team Nobody Wants To Play*.
Drake, led by the renowned coach Ben McCollum and standout guard Bennett Stirtz, is a trendy upset pick. McCollum’s teams are known for controlling the tempo, which contrasts sharply with Missouri’s fast-paced play. This game is a fascinating watch on every level.
Why You Should Watch
- Missouri’s fast pace vs. Drake’s controlled tempo
- Drake’s 3-0 record against high-major teams this year
- Bennett Stirtz, considered the best guard in the country by a rival coach
Potential Upset: (4) Purdue vs. (13) High Point
At 12:40 p.m. ET on truTV, Purdue faces High Point in what could be a thrilling upset.
Purdue has struggled recently, losing six of its past nine games, with a notably poor interior defense.
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High Point, making its first tournament appearance, boasts a top-25 offense and is the ninth-best 2-point shooting team in the field. This matchup has all the makings of a classic underdog story.
Key Factors
- Purdue’s recent defensive struggles
- High Point’s high-octane offense
- High Point’s effective 2-point shooting
Amazing Back-to-Back-to-Back Games
The late-afternoon window on Thursday offers a series of compelling games:
- (5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeese at 3:15 p.m. ET on truTV
- (6) BYU vs. (11) VCU at 4:05 p.m. ET on TNT
- (8) Gonzaga vs. (9) Georgia at 4:35 p.m. ET on TBS
Game Highlights
Clemson vs. McNeese: Clemson is ranked as the 12th-most likely team to win it all, but McNeese, under coach Will Wade, is fearless and ready to make a statement.
BYU vs. VCU: This game is a clash of styles, with BYU’s size, depth, and offensive execution going up against VCU’s guard play and defensive prowess. It promises to be a phenomenal fight.
Gonzaga vs. Georgia: Despite being ranked No. 9 in the country by KenPom, Gonzaga is seeded No. 8 and faces a Georgia team under pressure to justify the SEC’s record-smashing 14 NCAA spots.
Worth Staying Up Late: (5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego
At 10 p.m. ET on TBS, Michigan takes on UC San Diego in a matchup that could deliver a late-night classic.
Michigan’s Achilles’ heel has been turnovers, while UC San Diego excels in defensive turnover rate.
The Tritons’ small frontcourt may struggle against Michigan’s towering 7-footers, Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin, but the potential for an upset is tantalizing.
Matchup Breakdown
- Michigan’s turnover issues
- UC San Diego’s defensive prowess
- Michigan’s size advantage
Blow Off Work for: (5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State
At 2 p.m. ET on TBS, Memphis faces Colorado State, one of the hottest teams in the country with a 10-game winning streak.
Colorado State’s Nique Clifford, one of the best wings in the country, will have a key matchup against Memphis’ PJ Haggerty. Rashaan Mbemba’s strength could be crucial in countering Memphis’ big man Dain Dainja.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
- Colorado State’s 10-game winning streak
- Key player matchups: Nique Clifford vs. PJ Haggerty
- Potential for an upset with Colorado State as betting favorites
More Exciting Matchups
Several other games are worth your attention:
- (7) Saint Mary’s vs. (10) Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. ET on truTV
- (5) Oregon vs. (12) Liberty at 10:10 p.m. ET on truTV
Game Insights
Saint Mary’s vs. Vanderbilt: Saint Mary’s is led by veteran point guard Augustas Marciulionis. They are poised to not only beat Vanderbilt but potentially upset Alabama in the second round.
Oregon vs. Liberty: Liberty is known for controlling the pace and being one of the best 3-point shooting teams. They face an Oregon team that prefers a faster tempo. Coach Ritchie McKay’s Liberty squad is well-prepared to pull off an upset. This is reminiscent of their 2019 win over Mississippi State.
For more detailed coverage and expert predictions, check out The Athletic’s full analysis on the must-watch games of March Madness 2025.
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