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NCAA Tournament First Four Games Make History

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 6:03 PM ET

Based on First Four ratings, the men's NCAA tournament could be in store for massive viewership numbers.

Before Thursday's full day of March Madness, eight schools competed for a spot in the 64-team bracket. North Carolina, Alabama State, Mount St. Mary's, and Xavier advanced with victories on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Thursday, the official March Madness account claimed that the First Four action set new ratings milestones. A record 7.4 million average viewers watched the games on TruTV, a 20 percent increase from 2024.

Each day set a record for the most-watched Tuesday (3.6 million) and Wednesday (3.9) in First Four history. With 2.4 million average viewers, Xavier's 86-80 win over Texas was the most-watched play-in game since the NCAA expanded the tournament in 2011.

The First Four action started with a bang. On Tuesday, Amarr Knox scored the game-winning layup with one second remaining to give Alabama State a 70-68 triumph over St. Francis.

The Hornets cemented their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2011, but they lost by 20 to No. 1 Auburn on Thursday.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's program prestige likely attracted some extra eyeballs. After receiving a March Madness invitation to some consternation, the Tar Heels stormed to a 95-68 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs.

Already one of just two ACC teams remaining, UNC will play No. 6 Ole Miss on Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, a record TV audience saw Xavier overcome an eight-point halftime deficit to beat Texas. Marcus Foster led the Musketeers with 22 points and eight rebounds at Dayton, making the Longhorns the first of 14 SEC teams in the tournament to go home.

Xavier will play No. 6 Illinois in the first round on Friday night.

Finally, Mount St. Mary's notched an 83-72 win over American Univerity with a 57.7 field-goal percentage and 40 points in the paint. Big men Jedy Cordilia and Dola Adebayo each scored 22 points for the Mountaineers, who will attempt to pull off a monumental upset over No. 1 Duke on Friday.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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