In the first game No. 16 St. Francis (PA) will square off with No. 16 Alabama State, with a trip to Kentucky to take on the top overall seed Auburn on the line. In the second game, No. 11 North Carolina — a surprising inclusion in the tournament — takes on No.

Though the wall-to-wall 2025 NCAA Tournament action won't get started until Thursday's first-round schedule, the First Four in Dayton has become a staple in its decade-plus of existence that provides a unique kickoff to March Madness.

In March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men's bracket. Here's what to know about the first-round game.