2025 March Madness Brackets Unveiled as Title Front-Runner Emerges on Selection Sunday

UCLA Earns Historic No. 1 Seed in Women’s NCAA Tournament
[Image: Kiki Rice celebrating with teammates after UCLA’s Big Ten Tournament win over USC]
Caption: UCLA’s Kiki Rice celebrates a pivotal victory over USC, propelling the Bruins to their first-ever top overall NCAA Tournament seed.

UCLA made history as the top overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament, joined by No. 1 seeds South Carolina, USC, and Texas. The Bruins (26-2) dominated the regular season but suffered both losses to crosstown rival USC. Guard Kiki Rice emphasized the team’s focus: “An overall No. 1 seed doesn’t get us to the Final Four. We have to earn it.”

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley contested the seeding, arguing her team’s résumé—including a win over UCLA—deserved the top spot. However, the selection committee cited UCLA’s head-to-head victory and the Gamecocks’ 29-point loss to UConn as deciding factors. Staley’s squad, aiming to become the first repeat champion since UConn’s 2013-16 dynasty, faces a challenging bracket.

[Image: USC’s JuJu Watkins driving against UCLA’s Kiki Rice]
Caption: USC freshman star JuJu Watkins battles UCLA’s defense in a high-stakes rivalry game.

Tournament Parity and Conference Highlights
This year’s field showcases unprecedented parity, with no team entering undefeated. The Big Ten, featuring newcomers UCLA and USC, leads with a record 12 bids. The conference hasn’t won a title since Purdue in 1999. Meanwhile, the Ivy League made history with three bids—Princeton, Harvard, and Columbia—marking its deepest tournament presence.

Contenders and Cinderella Stories
UConn, a No. 2 seed, eyes redemption behind Paige Bueckers, while USC’s Watkins could clash with the Huskies in the Elite Eight. Notre Dame, a No. 3 seed, stumbled late after early wins over top teams. Six programs—including William & Mary and Grand Canyon—are making their NCAA Tournament debuts. Notably, William & Mary (15-18) is the first sub-.500 team since 2022 to qualify.

[Image: Princeton vs. Harvard in the Ivy League championship]
Caption: Princeton and Harvard face off in the Ivy League final, part of a historic trio of bids for the conference.

Landmark Financial Incentives
For the first time, women’s teams will earn revenue for tournament wins, mirroring the men’s model. Conferences can receive up to $1.26 million over three years for a Final Four run—a milestone following 2023’s record-breaking title game viewership.

The action tips off March 20, with UCLA and South Carolina leading a field brimming with talent and storylines.

—The Associated Press

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