March Madness 2025: How to watch the Sweet Sixteen tonight — schedules, matchups, initial predictions

The Sweet Sixteen ends tonight with 4 high-powered matchups in the Third Round of the 2025 March Madness Tournament. Sweet Sixteen matchups will broadcast on CBS, TBS and truTV to create our Elite Eight tonight.

When are the Sweet Sixteen matchups for March Madness 2025, and what are the matchups?

We’ve got 4 matchups on Thursday the 27th and 4 on Friday the 28th:

Thursday, March 27th, 2025 Sweet Sixteen Matchups

BYU vs. Alabama

• Matchup: (6) Brigham Young University Cougars vs. (2) The University of Alabama Crimson Tide
• Time: 4:09 PM (PST), 5:09 PM (MST), 7:09 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: CBS

Maryland vs. Florida

• Matchup: (4) University of Maryland Terrapins vs. (1) University of Florida Gators
• Time: 4:39 PM (PST), 5:39 PM (MST), 7:39 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: TBS/TruTV

Arizona vs. Duke

• Matchup: (4) University of Arizona Wildcats vs. (1) Duke University Blue Devils
• Time: 6:39 PM (PST), 7:39 PM (MST), 9:39 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: CBS

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech

• Matchup: (10) University of Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (3) Texas Tech University Red Raiders
• Time: 7:09 PM (PST), 8:09 PM (MST), 10:09 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: TBS/TruTV

Friday, March 28th, 2025 Sweet Sixteen Matchups

Mississippi vs. Michigan State

• Matchup: (6) University of Mississippi Rebels vs. (2) Michigan State University Spartans
• Time: 4:09 PM (PST), 5:09 PM (MST), 7:09 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: CBS

Kentucky vs. Tennessee

• Matchup: (3) University of Kentucky Wildcats vs. (2) University of Tennessee Volunteers
• Time: 4:39 PM (PST), 5:39 PM (MST), 7:39 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: TBS/TruTV

Michigan vs. Auburn

• Matchup: (5) University of Michigan Wolverines vs. (1) Auburn University Tigers
• Time: 6:39 PM (PST), 7:39 PM (MST), 9:39 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: CBS

Purdue vs. Houston

• Matchup: (4) Purdue University Boilermakers vs. (1) University of Houston Cougars
• Time: 7:09 PM (PST), 8:09 PM (MST), 10:09 PM (EST)
• Broadcast: TBS/TruTV

Where to watch and stream the March Madness 2025 Sweet Sixteen matchups

CBS, TBS, and truTV will be your broadcast stations to catch the Sweet Sixteen Madness. You can also catch the livestreams with any of the providers below:

FYI: For the Madness and livestreaming fans, Sling offers TruTV as part of its Sling Blue package. 

Sweet Sixteen 2025: Picks and Hot Takes for the Third Round

BYU Cougars vs. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide

Odds: Alabama is favored by 5.5 points.

Pick: Alabama

Hot take: If the BYU Cougars slow this game down, they'll win. Alabama plays too fast and relies too heavily on out-pacing their opponent. 

University of Maryland Terrapins vs. University of Florida Gators

Odds: Florida is a 6.5-point favorite.

Pick: Florida

Hot take: Goodbye, Maryland. Welcome to a real matchup against a Gators team that will probably win it all.

University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Duke University Blue Devils

Odds: Duke is favored by 9.5 points.

Pick: Duke (duh)

Hot take: This isn't a real matchup for Duke. Duke already advanced to the Elite Eight by default. 

University of Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech University Red Raiders

Odds: Texas Tech is a 5.5-point favorite.

Pick: Texas Tech

Hot take: Razorbacks are in the SEC, and no one really cares anymore. The glory days won't save the Razorbacks from Texas Tech.

University of Mississippi Rebels vs. Michigan State University Spartans

Odds: Michigan State is favored by 3.5 points.

Pick: Michigan State

Hot take: Big Ten grind all day. Best of luck, Rebels. Your offense will be outmatched by a Michigan State defense that tries. 

University of Kentucky Wildcats vs. University of Tennessee Volunteers

Odds: Tennessee is a 4.5-point favorite.

Pick: Tennessee

Hot take: The Volunteers took the Crimson Tide to school a few weeks ago. Kentucky can't (and won't) match Tennessee's intensity. 

University of Michigan Wolverines vs. Auburn University Tigers

Odds: Auburn is favored by 9.5 points.

Pick: Auburn

Hot take: Michigan already made it too far. Auburn is way too unpredictable, and with their skill, the Wolverines won't know how to adapt on the fly. 

Purdue University Boilermakers vs. University of Houston Cougars

Odds: Houston is a 6.5-point favorite.

Pick: Houston

Hot take: It's the biggest fraudulent matchup in March Madness so far. Strong seeds? I'll take, "Chronic tournament underperformance for 500, Alex." 

FAQs

What is the March Madness Sweet Sixteen?

This quirky name applies to the NCAA March Madness regional semifinals. The 8 matchups have 2 teams each — hence, the Sweet Sixteen. The winners of these matchups advance to the Elite Eight.

What round is the March Madness Sweet Sixteen?

Technically speaking, it is the third round of the tournament. First Round, Second Round, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and The NCAA March Madness Championship. The First Round goes from 64 teams to 32 teams. The Second Round goes from 32 teams to 16 teams. The Third Round (Sweet Sixteen) goes from 16 teams to 8 teams (what’s coming up afterwards, aka, the Elite Eight).

What teams are in the 2025 March Madness Sweet Sixteen?

The Sweet Sixteen teams for 2025 are BYU, Alabama, Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Duke, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Auburn, Purdue, and Houston.