What time is First Four for Women's March Madness? Bracket updates, schedule, predictions
On Friday, the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament will begin, bringing millions of fans across the country a jam-packed schedule full of games between the best teams in the sport.
That controlled chaos, however, doesn't mark the official start of March Madness.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the 2025 NCAA Tournament will get underway on the women's side with the First Four, which features the four lowest-rated No. 16 seeds and the final four at-large selections in the field.
The first game of the evening Wednesday will pit No. 11 seeds Iowa State and Princeton against one another at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana, and will be followed by UC San Diego taking on Southern in a matchup of No. 16 seeds at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The following day, No. 11 seeds Washington and Columbia will face off at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina before No. 16 seeds William & Mary and High Point tip off at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas
Here's more information on how to watch the women's NCAA Tournament First Four games, including start times and TV channels:
What time are women's First Four games?
All times Eastern
Wednesday, March 19
- No. 11 Iowa State vs. No. 11 Princeton | 7 p.m. | ESPNU (Fubo)
- No. 16 UC San Diego vs. No. 16 Southern | 9 p.m. | ESPNU (Fubo)
Watch women's First Four live with Fubo (free trial)
Thursday, March 20
- No. 11 Washington vs. No. 11 Columbia | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
- No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 Xavier | 9:10 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Women's First Four predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, March 19
No. 11 Iowa State vs No. 11 Princeton
- Spread: Iowa State (-4.5)
- Over/under: 136.5
- Moneyline: Iowa State (-210) | Princeton (+170)
Prediction: Iowa State 72, Princeton 64
The Cyclones were a preseason top-10 team that has underachieved this season at 22-11, but they'll have the game's best player in Audi Crooks, a stellar center who's averaging 23.2 points per game. That will be enough to get past the Tigers and on to a meeting with Michigan.
No. 16 UC San Diego vs No. 16 Southern
- Spread: UC San Diego (-3.5)
- Over/under: 111.5
- Moneyline: UC San Diego (-185) | Southern (+150)
Prediction: UC San Diego 60, Southern 58
Following a 1-8 start to the season, the Tritons are 19-7, a run that has included a 9-2 record since Feb. 13. That success will carry over into the NCAA Tournament.
No. 11 Washington vs No. 11 Columbia
- Spread: Washington (-1.5)
- Over/under: 137.5
- Moneyline: Washington (-130) | Columbia (+110)
Prediction: Columbia 69, Washington 68
The Lions were the dominant team in a strong Ivy League for much of the season, with a 13-1 mark in league play before falling to Harvard in the conference tournament title game. They'll rediscover their form in the win-or-go-home crucible of the NCAA Tournament and eke out a win against Washington to earn a date Saturday with West Virginia.
No. 16 William & Mary vs. No. 16 High Point
- Spread: High Point (-6.5)
- Over/under: 126.5
- Moneyline: High Point (-300) | William & Mary (+240)
Prediction: High Point 64, William & Mary 56
The Panthers have been on a roll the past two months, with wins in 13 of their past 14 games since Jan. 18. The Tribe, meanwhile, were reeling late in the season, losing seven of eight before an inspired run to win the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament and make the NCAA Tournament with a 15-18 record.
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