The 2025 NC men's water polo championship is set to be a thrilling event, with an eight-team single-elimination bracket. The tournament will kick off on Friday, December 5th, and the excitement will build as the top teams battle it out for the title. But who will emerge as the champion? Let's dive into the bracket and schedule, and explore the history of this prestigious competition.
Bracket and Schedule
The tournament will be broadcast on ESPNU, with the following schedule:
Sunday, December 7th: ESPNU
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The first round will see some intense matches, including:
- Friday, December 5th:
- No. 2 UCLA 15, Princeton 11 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530098)
- No. 4 Fordham 13, San Jose State 9 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530097)
- No. 1 Southern California 16, CUI 6 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530096)
- No. 3 Stanford 15, UC Davis 9 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530099)
The semifinals will take place on Saturday, December 6th, with the following matches:
- No. 1 Southern California 16, No. 4 Fordham 7 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530100)
- No. 2 UCLA 9, No. 3 Stanford 7 (https://www.ncaa.com/game/6530101)
Championship History
The NC men's water polo championship has a rich history, with several dominant teams and coaches over the years. Here's a glimpse of the recent champions:
- 2024: UCLA (26-2) - Adam Wright
- 2023: California (24-5) - Kirk Everist
- 2022: California (23-2) - Kirk Everist
- 2021: California (22-4) - Kirk Everist
- 2020: UCLA (9-7) - Adam Wright
And the list goes on, with notable teams like Stanford and Southern California also making their mark. The tournament is a true test of skill and determination, and the 2025 edition promises to be no different.
So, who will be crowned the champion this year? Will it be a repeat performance from UCLA, or will a new team rise to the top? Stay tuned, and get ready for some thrilling water polo action!