Sun Feb 02 00:40:00 UTC 2025: **College Basketball Season Heats Up as March Madness Approaches**
**Baton Rouge, LA & Nationwide** – With the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (“March Madness”) just around the corner, college basketball is heating up. While the tournament is a highlight, the sport’s popularity often lags until March, due to player turnover and short college careers. However, exciting early season games are already generating buzz.
Last night’s game between Iowa State and Arizona showcased the drama to come, with Caleb Love’s half-court buzzer-beater forcing overtime (Arizona ultimately prevailed 86-75). Other teams to watch include Duke, featuring freshman star Cooper Flagg, and Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans, currently on a 12-game win streak.
But a strong contender is emerging from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). An unprecedented ten SEC teams currently hold spots in the AP Top 25 rankings, eclipsing even the traditional football rivalry between Auburn and Alabama. Auburn, led by Bruce Pearl (18-1 and ranked #1), and Alabama, led by Nate Oats and senior guard Mark Sears (ranked #4), are particularly strong. Florida also shows promise.
Selection Sunday is March 16th, with the First Four games beginning March 18th in Dayton. The Final Four will conclude April 5th and 7th in San Antonio. For up-to-date coverage and analysis, tune in to Craig Shemon and Company weekdays from 2-6pm on ESPN Southwest Florida.
First Piper 