The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, known affectionately as March Madness, kicked off with a host of surprising developments and nail-biting finishes during the opening rounds. In a thrilling First Four match-up held in Dayton, Ohio, Alabama State’s Amarr Knox delivered a dramatic game-winning shot with just 2.7 seconds remaining, clinching a stunning victory over Saint Francis on March 18, 2025. This electrifying moment was emblematic of the tournament’s unpredictability, where Cinderella stories have the power to captivate fans from coast to coast.
Yet, the thrill of a buzzer-beater appears to be in dwindling supply as the tournament progresses. The following Friday, in a highly anticipated clash, the two-time defending champion Connecticut faced off against ninth-seeded Oklahoma. The game, initially tied at 54 with just over five minutes left, took a sharp turn when UConn outscored Oklahoma 13-5 in the closing minutes, sealing the game at 67-59. Coach Dan Hurley remarked on his team’s resilience, stating, “The thing about this team is that we’re really battle-tested. We’ve had to fight so hard all year that we showed a lot of toughness down the stretch.” UConn's victory advances them to a crucial matchup against the University of Florida, which is also a No. 1 seed and last claimed consecutive championships before UConn's recent dynasty.
The women’s tournament saw exciting beginnings as well, with Friday kicking off its slate of 16 first-round games. The fourth-seed University of Kentucky narrowly defeated No. 13 Liberty University, with a thrilling final score of 79-78. Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore put on a stellar performance, scoring 34 points, including pivotal free throws that solidified the Wildcats' lead just seconds before the end of regulation. “We might be the higher seed, but Liberty had nothing to lose,” Amoore reflected. “They want to come out. They want to win. They had all the energy.” The close win stood in stark contrast to the dominant performances of the No. 1 and 2 seeds, which respectively won their games by an average of 46 points.
With the chaos extending to the men’s side of the bracket, the first-round games showcased several other upsets and large victories. For instance, the four No. 1 seeds in the men’s tournament asserted their dominance by winning their opening games by a staggering average of 32 points, which underlined their prowess heading into the next round.
A standout among these early matchups was Colorado State’s 78-70 victory over No. 5 Memphis in Seattle on March 21, 2025. This game marked the Rams' first win in the tournament's second round since 2013 and featured a stellar performance from sophomore guard Kyan Evans, who exploded for a career-high 23 points. He made six three-pointers, showcasing his shooting prowess and helping to carry his team to victory. Coach Niko Medved praised Evans, saying, “Whatever Kyan was feeling tonight, I just want to feel that one time. Because I haven’t felt like that.”
Colorado State’s win allows them to advance to face No. 4 seed Maryland, which decisively defeated Grand Canyon with an impressive score of 81-49. This will be Colorado State’s chance to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over half a century, a notable milestone for the program.
Meanwhile, the No. 3 seed Iowa State is set to match up against No. 6 seed Mississippi later on March 23. Both teams are seeking victory to secure a position in the upcoming Sweet Sixteen. Iowa State thoroughly dominated Lipscomb, winning 82-55, while Ole Miss secured its first NCAA tournament victory in a decade against North Carolina, ending the game 71-64. Coach Chris Beard's team is eager for its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2001, aiming to build on the momentum established throughout the season.
As the tournament continues to unfold, the drama and excitement seem poised to escalate further. The blend of heart-stopping finishes, surprising upsets, and elite performances is maintaining the annual spectacle that draws millions of fans to watch. The future of March Madness is lit up by those exhilarating moments that embody the ultimate unpredictability of college basketball.
