KHSAA Sweet 16: NCAA Tournament 2025 at Rupp Arena to Change Schedule

Upcoming Reschedule – An Adjustment for Fans

High school basketball fans in Kentucky will have to adjust their routines next March due to a scheduling conflict at Rupp Arena. Owing to the University of Kentucky being penciled in to host first-round Men’s NCAA Tournament games on Thursday, March 20, and Saturday, March 22, the Boys Sweet 16 will be pushed to the following week, creating a week off between the boys and girls Sweet 16s.

“We historically don’t like to play the same week as the men’s (NCAA) regional because if Kentucky or Louisville is in it, it’s a pretty good conflict,” KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett noted. “It impacts our fans who have to make choices. But we’ll make it work.”

Key 2025 Dates Announced

The dates announced for 2025 are as follows:

• Monday, Feb. 24 – Boys and girls district tournaments begin.
• Monday, March 3 – Boys and girls regional tournaments commence.
• Wednesday, March 12-Saturday, March 15 – Girls Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.
• Thursday, March 20 and Saturday, March 22 – NCAA Men’s tournament at Rupp Arena.
• Wednesday, March 26-Saturday, March 29 – Boys Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.

The Impact on Boys Regional Tournaments

According to Tackett, the biggest impact will be on the boys’ regional tournaments. They cannot overlap with the Girls Sweet 16, but apart from that, “they have total flexibility,” Tackett stated. He further mentioned that several regions might opt to play quarterfinals on March 10-11, prior to the Girls Sweet 16, and return the subsequent week for semifinals and finals.

There has been no announcement from Sixth and Seventh Region officials regarding the dates for their tournaments. Tackett suggests there may be a scramble to secure the earlier slots in the tournament to allow more time for scouting.

“That’s always a chess game among coaches,” Tackett remarked.

Boys Sweet 16 Round Up

The Boys Sweet 16 wound up on Saturday, with Lyon County triumphing over Harlan County, 67-58, cheered on by 13,568 fans at Rupp Arena. The total attendance for the week reached 99,915, marking the highest turnout since 101,683 attended in 2014.

“The draw was very favorable for attendance,” Tackett mused. “Teams can’t help how many they bring. Some have big followings, and some don’t. We’re certainly very pleased with this year.”