As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, many casual college basketball fans may be surprised to find their brackets performing well after just two days. This is largely due to the lack of seeding upsets in the first round. Notably, only two No. 12 seeds, Colorado State and McNeese, managed to secure victories, while No. 11 seed Drake provided the other significant upset by defeating No. 6 seed Missouri. Remarkably, every top-four seed advanced from their first-round matchups for the first time since 2017, marking only the sixth occurrence in the tournament's history.
This trend is likely good news for those who filled their brackets largely with chalk predictions, but disappointing for fans who anticipated numerous upsets. Teams like Alabama State, Mount St. Mary's, North Carolina, and Xavier faced elimination, highlighting a rare moment where a First Four team failed to progress past the first round since the tournament expanded in 2011.
The Mountain West Conference (MWC) found a measure of redemption as Colorado State and New Mexico both pulled off impressive victories. Colorado State shocked Memphis, securing its first first-round advancement since 2013. Meanwhile, New Mexico, as a No. 10 seed, triumphed over No. 7 seed Marquette with a final score of 75-66. These wins were particularly sweet for the MWC after Utah State's loss to UCLA and San Diego State's defeat by North Carolina.
The UConn Huskies, under the guidance of coach Dan Hurley, continued their impressive run with a 67-59 victory over Oklahoma. This win not only propels UConn into a matchup against No. 1 seed Florida but also ties them with Duke for the second-longest winning streak in NCAA Tournament history at 13 consecutive victories. Star player Alex Karaban played a pivotal role, especially in the second half, scoring 11 of his 13 points and making a crucial block in the closing moments.
In a thrilling contest in Raleigh, the UConn vs. Oklahoma game showcased both teams' resilience, with UConn narrowly maintaining the lead throughout. The Huskies faced a brief setback when Oklahoma led by one point with nine minutes left, but UConn's late-game execution, led by Karaban, secured their place in the next round.
In Cleveland, the No. 2 seed Michigan State faced a surprising challenge from No. 15 seed Bryant, leading by only five points at halftime. Michigan State, which has a history of first-round exits, managed to regroup in the second half, but Bryant's performance raised concerns for the Spartans.
On the other hand, No. 4 seed Arizona showcased a dominating performance against No. 13 seed Akron, winning decisively with a score of 93-65. The Wildcats exhibited exceptional shooting from beyond the arc, finishing 12 of 25. Jaden Bradley led the scoring with 19 points, while Arizona maintained control throughout the game.
As the tournament progresses, teams like Kentucky, Florida, and Ole Miss demonstrated their strength, advancing with solid performances. Kentucky defeated Troy 76-57, while Florida overwhelmed Norfolk State 95-69, signaling their intent to make deep runs in the tournament. Ole Miss eliminated North Carolina in a nail-biter, setting the stage for an intriguing second-round matchup against Iowa State.
With the first round concluding, fans are eager to see how these teams will fare in their upcoming matchups. Notable clashes include UConn's showdown with Florida and Duke's face-off against Baylor, both promising to deliver high-stakes basketball action.
As the tournament progresses, stay tuned for more updates and analysis to keep your brackets in check. The excitement of March Madness is just beginning, and with each game, the path to the Sweet 16 becomes clearer.
