Kentucky basketball fans are counting the days until March Madness tips off, bringing the wild ride of NCAA Tournament action to Wildcat Nation and beyond. Whether it’s the Kentucky Wildcats men’s squad chasing glory, the women’s team aiming for a breakthrough, or a potential NIT run for either, the question on every BBN mind is: when does it all start? With Selection Sunday just weeks away, here’s your guide to the 2025 March Madness start dates for the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Tournaments, plus the NIT—mark your calendars now!
The Men’s NCAA Tournament kicks off its 2025 journey with Selection Sunday on March 16, airing at 6 PM ET on CBS, when the 68-team field—including hopeful Kentucky Wildcats—is unveiled. The action begins with the First Four on March 18-19, trimming the bracket to 64 at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The full First Round jumps off March 20-21, with games nationwide, leading to the Second Round on March 22-23. From there, it’s Sweet 16 (March 27-28), Elite Eight (March 29-30), Final Four (April 5), and the National Championship (April 7) at the Alamodome in San Antonio—where Kentucky fans dream of a ninth banner.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament follows a similar beat, starting with Selection Sunday on March 16 at 8 PM ET on ESPN, revealing the 68-team bracket. The First Four tips off March 19-20, hosted by top seeds, with the First Round hitting courts March 21-22. The Second Round follows March 23-24, then it’s Sweet 16 (March 28-29), Elite Eight (March 30-31), Final Four (April 4), and the National Championship (April 6) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida—a stage Kentucky’s women hope to crash.
NIT tourney start date
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) offers a consolation prize for teams if the NCAA bid slips away. The 32-team NIT field is announced post-Selection Sunday on March 16, with games starting March 18-19 for the First Round. The Second Round runs March 22-23, followed by the Quarterfinals (March 25-26), Semifinals (April 1), and Championship (April 3) at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis—a lifeline Kentucky men leaned on in 2013, it did not go well.
Kentucky basketball’s postseason fate hinges on these dates—will Mark Pope’s squad (18-9, 7-7 SEC) after the Alabama loss rally for an NCAA spot, or will the NIT beckon? For BBN, March Madness is more than dates—it’s a shot at redemption if the Cats can get healthy.