The 2024/25 college basketball season is set to deliver an exciting array of events, from the initial tip-off to the crowning of the national champion.
Key Dates You Won’t Want to Miss for College Basketball 2024/25
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the key dates that fans should mark on their calendars.
Season Tip-Off: November 4, 2024
The season officially began on November 4, 2024, with teams across the nation taking to the court. Notably, the University of Kansas Jayhawks hosted Howard at Allen Fieldhouse, marking the start of their campaign.
Feast Week Tournaments: November 25–December 1, 2024
Feast Week, coinciding with the Thanksgiving holiday, featured several high-profile tournaments.
These events showcased top teams in early-season matchups that often serve as precursors to March Madness.
For instance, the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis are among the tournaments that drew significant attention during this period.
For some fans, this period also marks an opportunity to engage in college basketball betting, adding another layer of excitement to the action.
Predicting outcomes and following the odds for high-profile games can make these early tournaments even more compelling, especially with so many teams looking to make a statement early in the season.
Conference Play Commencement: Early January 2025
As the holidays conclude and the calendar flips to January, the intensity ramps up with the start of conference play.
These games are pivotal, often deciding conference championships and shaping the NCAA Tournament picture.
For example, Southeastern Conference (SEC) play begins on January 4, 2025, with marquee matchups on the schedule.
Rivalries are renewed, standings are closely contested, and every game becomes critical as teams jostle for postseason positioning.
Midseason Tournaments and Key Matchups
Beyond regular conference schedules, midseason tournaments and special showcase events add another layer of intrigue.
The Big 12/SEC Challenge, scheduled for late January, pits top NCAAB teams from these two conferences against each other, often leading to thrilling contests that could influence NCAA Tournament seeding.
These midseason battles give fans a reason to stay glued to the action even before the postseason begins.
Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025
One of the most anticipated days in the basketball calendar, Selection Sunday, takes place on March 16, 2025. On this day, teams across the country find out whether their hard work has paid off.
Fans and players alike hold their breath as the NCAA Tournament bracket is unveiled, revealing the matchups, seedings, and regions.
It’s a day filled with emotion, as bubble teams celebrate or mourn their fates, and powerhouse programs begin planning their path to the Final Four.
March Madness: March 18–April 7, 2025
March Madness lives up to its name every year, and the 2025 edition is no exception.
The NCAA Tournament tips off with the First Four games on March 18 and 19, setting the stage for weeks of nonstop basketball drama.
Teams advance through thrilling rounds, culminating in the Final Four on April 5.
All roads lead to the national championship game on April 7, 2025, at the iconic Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
This is where legends are made, and one team’s dreams come true.
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Conclusion
The 2024/25 college basketball season promises to be a rollercoaster of excitement.
From the opening games in November through the fierce battles of conference play and the unforgettable chaos of March Madness, there’s no shortage of reasons to tune in.
As teams vie for glory and fans ride the highs and lows, this season is set to remind us why college basketball holds a special place in the hearts of so many.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of the journey!