The excitement of March Madness is in full swing as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament kicked off with the round of 64 on Thursday afternoon. A thrilling slate of eight games showcased intense competition and surprising outcomes. Below are the highlights and results from the day’s matchups.
In a commanding performance, Creighton triumphed over Louisville with a score of 89-75. The Bluejays dominated the first half, establishing a substantial lead that they maintained throughout the game. Jamiya Neal was the standout player, scoring 29 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, showcasing his exceptional skills as a transfer from Arizona State. Creighton shot an impressive over 55% from the field and 45% from three-point range, making it difficult for Louisville to keep up. Chucky Hepburn led the Cardinals with 22 points.
Facing No. 4 seed Purdue, High Point fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, ending the game at 75-63. The Boilermakers pulled away late, with Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith leading the charge, scoring 21 and 20 points, respectively.
No. 3 seed Wisconsin proved their mettle with an 85-66 victory over No. 14 Montana. The Badgers displayed their quality, especially in the closing stages of the game. John Blackwell led the scoring with 19 points, complemented by five rebounds and three assists. Steven Crowl and John Tonje also contributed significantly with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
In a dominant performance, Houston crushed SIUE with a score of 78-40. The Cougars controlled the game from start to finish, displaying strong defense with 11 steals and dominating the boards. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s squad showed no signs of slowing down, maintaining their momentum throughout.
Auburn, the tournament's top seed, secured a convincing 83-63 win against Alabama State. Despite a brief scare in the first half when the Hornets closed the gap to just one point, the Tigers regrouped and held a comfortable lead at halftime. Auburn's resilience shone through in the second half as they cruised to victory.
In a nail-biter, No. 12 McNeese State edged out No. 5 Clemson with a 69-67 win. The Tigers mounted a strong comeback, with Chase Hunter scoring all of his 21 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cowboys' defense, which forced 13 turnovers.
BYU held off a late charge from VCU to win 80-71. Richie Saunders and Igor Demin were pivotal for the Cougars, scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively. VCU made a strong effort in the second half but fell short of overcoming the deficit.
Gonzaga advanced to the round of 32 with a decisive 89-68 victory over Georgia. The Zags started strong with a stunning 27-3 run, establishing control early in the game. Georgia struggled to keep pace as Gonzaga’s offense proved overpowering.
Tennessee's Chaz Lanier stole the spotlight with a stellar performance, scoring 29 points in their 77-62 victory over No. 15 Wofford. Lanier’s six three-pointers helped the Volunteers maintain distance from the Terriers, while Zakai Zeigler contributed 12 points and 12 assists.
In a surprising upset, Arkansas defeated Kansas 79-72. The Razorbacks overcame a shooting slump in the second half, closing the game with a 15-5 run. Jonas Aidoo led Arkansas with 22 points, marking the end of Kansas's disappointing campaign.
Texas A&M, as the No. 4 seed, secured an 80-71 win against No. 13 Yale. The Aggies took control early and maintained their lead throughout, avoiding the upset that befell other favorites in previous tournaments.
No. 11 seed Drake held off No. 6 Missouri for a 67-57 victory, marking their first round of 64 win in program history. Bennett Stirtz led the Bulldogs with 21 points as they advanced to the next round.
UCLA cruised to a straightforward 72-47 win over No. 10 Utah State, taking advantage of a poor shooting night by the Aggies. Coach Mick Cronin praised his team's effort and execution throughout the game.
St. John’s delivered a strong performance, defeating Omaha 83-53. The Red Storm showcased their skill, particularly in the second half, as they began to pull away from the Mavericks.
Michigan narrowly escaped an upset against UC San Diego, winning 68-65. The Wolverines held on as the final buzzer sounded, sending them through to the next round.
In the day’s final matchup, Texas Tech managed to defeat UNC Wilmington 82-72. Despite a closer contest than anticipated, Kerwin Walton's 27 points propelled the Red Raiders into the round of 32.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matchups and potential upsets. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as March Madness continues!
