March 16, 2025, marked an important moment in the college basketball season as conference tournaments wrapped up, setting the stage for March Madness. The weekend delivered exciting action across the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten, with standout performances, close finishes, and key victories shaping the tournament field. From Duke’s performance in Charlotte to Florida’s strong showing in Nashville and Michigan’s hard-fought win in Indianapolis, the final days of conference play provided plenty of drama.
With Selection Sunday now in the books as of March 16, the NCAA tournament field has been revealed, and the madness is about to begin.
ACC Tournament: Duke Wins 23rd Title Despite Flagg’s Absence
In the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament final on March 16, 2025, No. 1 seed Duke defeated No. 2 seed Louisville 73-62 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The victory secured Duke’s 23rd ACC tournament championship, further adding to its conference dominance.
Duke played without freshman standout Cooper Flagg, who missed the final due to an ankle injury sustained earlier in the tournament.
Tyrese Proctor led Duke with 19 points, hitting a career-high six three-pointers. Kon Knueppel added 16 points and eight rebounds, earning tournament MVP honors for his consistent play throughout the week. Duke trailed by five at halftime but took control in the second half, outscoring Louisville 40-24 with strong defensive play that held the Cardinals to just 25.7 percent shooting.
Louisville’s Terrence Edwards Jr. finished with 29 points, but Duke’s defense shut down the rest of the team in the second half.
With this win, Duke moves into the NCAA tournament with momentum. Coach Jon Scheyer praised his team for stepping up in Flagg’s absence, noting that the experience of winning without him could be valuable as they prepare for the tournament.
SEC Tournament: Florida Captures First Title Since 2014
In Nashville, the Southeastern Conference tournament crowned a new champion on March 16, 2025, as No. 4 seed Florida defeated No. 8 seed Tennessee 86-77 in the championship game. The Gators, led by tournament MVP Walter Clayton Jr., secured their first SEC tournament title since 2014.
Clayton Jr. led Florida with 22 points, making key shots down the stretch. The Gators reached the final by defeating No. 3 Alabama in the semifinals, though the final score was not specified in reports.
Tennessee, which upset regular-season champion Auburn in the semifinals, kept the game close behind a strong first half from Chaz Lanier, who scored 17 points before halftime. Florida took control in the second half, using a balanced offensive approach and key defensive stops to secure the win.
Coach Todd Golden credited his team’s resilience, emphasizing their ability to perform well at the right time. The win puts Florida in a strong position heading into the NCAA tournament.
Big Ten Tournament: Michigan Upsets Wisconsin to Claim Title
The Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis ended with No. 3 seed Michigan defeating No. 5 seed Wisconsin 59-53 in the championship game on March 16, 2025.
Michigan’s defensive effort and balanced scoring were key to the victory. Vladislav Goldin, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors, led the team with a strong performance in the final.
Wisconsin reached the final after knocking off No. 1 seed Michigan State 77-74 in the semifinals on March 15. John Tonje scored 32 points in that win and added 25 points in the final, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Michigan.
The championship game remained close until the final minutes, when Michigan’s defense forced key stops to hold Wisconsin scoreless on its final two possessions.
The win marks Michigan’s first Big Ten tournament title since 2018. Coach Dusty May praised his team for staying composed in close games. Wisconsin, despite the loss, showed its ability to compete at a high level and now turns its focus to the NCAA tournament.
Selection Sunday and the NCAA Tournament
On March 16, 2025, Selection Sunday revealed the 68-team NCAA tournament field. Duke, Florida, and Michigan secured strong seeds after their conference wins.
The Selection Show, broadcast at 6 p.m. ET on CBS, confirmed matchups and seedings, setting up the tournament bracket.
The First Four games begin on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with the tournament culminating in the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 5 and 7. Duke, Florida, and Michigan will aim to carry their momentum into the tournament.
As of March 17, the matchups are set, discussions over seeding are in full swing, and the countdown to tip-off is underway.
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