Who Is in the NCAA Basketball Tournament? Full 2025 Field Guide

By Sarah Miller · May 18, 2030

The NCAA Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, features 68 college basketball teams selected through a combination of automatic bids for conference champions and at-large bids awarded by the NCAA Selection Committee.

What Is the NCAA Basketball Tournament?

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament is a single-elimination tournament held annually in March and April to determine the national champion of college basketball in the United States. It involves 68 teams that qualify either by winning their conference tournaments or by receiving an at-large bid based on their season performance.

Key Facts About the Tournament

Organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Single-elimination format means one loss and the team is out
Known colloquially as "March Madness" due to its unpredictable upsets
Begins with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio
Concludes with the Final Four and national championship game

How Teams Qualify for the Tournament

Teams earn spots in the NCAA Tournament through two primary pathways:

Automatic Bids

Each of the 32 Division I conferences receives one automatic bid, awarded to the team that wins the conference tournament. This guarantees representation for even smaller schools if they win their league’s postseason tournament.

At-Large Bids

The remaining 36 spots are filled via at-large selections made by the NCAA Selection Committee. These decisions are based on factors including:

Win-loss record
Strength of schedule (SOS)
NET rankings (NCAA Evaluation Tool)
Quality wins and bad losses (Quadrant system)
Recent performance (last 10–12 games)
Player availability and injuries

Selection Sunday and Bracket Reveal

On Selection Sunday—typically the second Sunday in March—the full 68-team bracket is revealed. The committee seeds each team from 1 to 16 within four regional brackets and determines matchups based on geography and competitive balance.

The event is broadcast live and widely followed by fans, analysts, and media outlets who then fill out brackets predicting winners in what has become a cultural phenomenon across the U.S.

2025 NCAA Tournament Field Breakdown

While the official field for the 2025 tournament will not be announced until March 16, 2025, projections suggest strong contenders include power conference teams such as Houston, Tennessee, Duke, and Alabama. Mid-major programs like Saint Peter's, Drake, and Grand Canyon are also under consideration depending on late-season results.

Seed	Team	Conference	Record (2024–25)	NET Rank	Quadrant 1 Wins
1	Houston	American	28–3	2	7
1	Tennessee	SEC	27–4	3	8
1	Duke	ACC	26–5	5	6
1	Alabama	SEC	25–6	6	7
5	Creighton	Big East	23–8	14	5
8	Nebraska	Big Ten	20–11	28	4
12	Grand Canyon	WAC	24–9	35	3
15	Tennessee State	OVC	19–14	112	1

Table data source:1, 2

The table above shows projected top seeds and select teams for the 2025 NCAA Tournament based on performance through early March 2025. Houston and Tennessee lead in NET rankings and quadrant 1 wins, indicating strong resumes. Notably, Grand Canyon—a mid-major program—appears as a projected 12-seed despite being outside a Power 6 conference, highlighting the importance of quality wins and scheduling strategy.

Notable Teams to Watch in 2025

Certain programs stand out due to returning talent, coaching changes, or breakout seasons:

Houston Cougars: Consistently elite defense and deep tournament experience under Kelvin Sampson
Duquesne Dukes: Returning to the tournament spotlight after a 47-year drought in 2024, aiming to repeat
Kentucky Wildcats: Under new head coach Mark Pope, rebuilding with top recruits
Marquette Golden Eagles: Strong three-point shooting and veteran leadership
Saint Peter's Peacocks: Cinderella story from 2022 looking to return via MAAC tournament success

Frequently Asked Questions About the NCAA Basketball Tournament

Who decides which teams get into the NCAA Tournament?

The NCAA Selection Committee, composed of 12 athletic directors and conference executives, evaluates team resumes and selects the 68 teams. They use metrics like NET rankings, strength of schedule, and quadrant wins to make informed decisions.

How many teams participate in the NCAA Tournament?

Exactly 68 teams participate in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. This format has been in place since 2011, starting with the "First Four" play-in games in Dayton, Ohio.

What is the First Four in March Madness?

The First Four consists of four games played at the beginning of the tournament between the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams. The winners advance to the main 64-team bracket.

When is Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament is scheduled for March 16, 2025. The full bracket will be revealed during a live CBS broadcast starting at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

Can a team with a losing record make the NCAA Tournament?

No team with a losing overall record received an at-large bid after 2017. However, a team with a sub-.500 record could still qualify by winning its conference tournament and securing an automatic bid.