March Madness is back! The NCAA Womens Basketball Tournament 2025 tipped off Friday, March 21, with 32 first-round games lighting up courts nationwide. From stunning upsets to star power, USA news live 2025 has the scoop—UCLA, South Carolina, and more battle toward Tampa’s April 6 finale. Who’s cutting the nets? Here’s Day 1 and beyond.
Day 1 Highlights: Upsets and Heroes
The bracket’s already shaking. No. 1 UCLA flexed against Hawaii, but No. 11 Murray State nearly shocked No. 6 Iowa—X explodes, “Close call in Norman!” UConn’s Paige Bueckers dropped 22 points on Arkansas State (NBC Sports), while Southern edged UC San Diego in the First Four (MassLive). Parity rules—no perfect team this year, per ESPN.
Key moments
- Upset Alert: Murray State +9 vs. Iowa (late 4Q).
- Star: Bueckers, 22 pts, 8 assists.
- Next: South Carolina vs. Liberty, Saturday.
Predictions: Final Four and Beyond
Experts are split. ESPN’s poll favors South Carolina to repeat, but The Athletic’s 200,000 simulations give UCLA a 28% title shot. X buzzes—“Bueckers or JuJu Watkins for champ?” Nicole Auerbach picks USC as a sleeper—first Final Four since 1986? NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament 2025 heats up Saturday.
Top picks
- Final Four: UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas.
- Sleeper: No. 10 Harvard (Autumn Johnson, NCAA.com).
- Champ: South Carolina (ESPN).
Watch It Live
Catch it on ESPN, ABC, or ESPN+—Hulu + Live TV streams every game (Yahoo Sports). USA news live 2025 tracks X—“Day 1’s wild!”—as brackets bust early. Tampa’s calling—who survives?
Your bracket pick? Comment below!
Also Read- 2025 March Madness Predictions: Upsets, Winners, and Bracket Picks to Watch!
