The Athletic ’s debate series features two writers breaking down a specific topic. In this edition, Chantel Jennings and Sabreena Merchant debate which teams should earn the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Men’s college basketball teams have received payouts for appearing in and playing in the NCAA Tournament since 1991. Now, the money is coming to the women’s game.

March Madness 2025 starts with the First Four, which is essentially a play-in round before the tournament. Eight teams battle for the final four slots in the tournament, whittling the field down from 68 teams to 64.