Day 1 of March Madness is in the books, and it was nothing short of thrilling as several teams took to the court in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament. Two extraordinary upsets stole the spotlight on 20 March 2025, showcasing the unpredictable nature of college basketball.
No. 12 McNeese shocked the world and delivered the first major upset by defeating No. 5 Clemson with a score of 69-67. McNeese held Clemson to a staggering low of just 13 points in the first half, and despite a late rally from Clemson, McNeese held on for the win. This remarkable victory not only marks a significant moment for McNeese but also serves as a reminder of the 'madness' that comes with March Madness.
Following closely was No. 11 Drake, which achieved a momentous win against No. 6 Missouri, claiming victory with a score of 67-57. This win signifies Drake's first tournament victory in over 54 years, and the excitement surrounding the Bulldogs has reignited their supporters.
On the same day, No. 2 St. John's flexed their muscles with an emphatic 83-53 win over No. 15 Omaha, marking their first NCAA Tournament win since 2000. The Red Storm functioned like a well-oiled machine, led by RJ Luis Jr., who finished the game with 22 points and five three-pointers. St. John's started slowly, trailing 7-0 at one point, but rallied back with effective shooting to dominate the second half.
As the dust settled on Thursday's action, St. John's notably advanced to the second round where they will clash with No. 10 Arkansas, who secured their spot following a 79-72 win against No. 7 Kansas. This upcoming matchup will feature a compelling storyline, as it pits Hall of Fame coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari against one another. Pitino, with 885 career NCAA victories, will look to guide his team further into the tournament.
In another noteworthy outcome, No. 8 Gonzaga triumphed over No. 9 Georgia with a score of 89-68. Meanwhile, No. 4 Texas A&M defeated No. 13 Yale 80-71, with Pharrel Payne notably posting a career-high of 25 points off the bench. No. 7 UCLA also had an easy evening, defeating No. 10 Utah State 72-47, demonstrating their enduring prowess as a tournament contender.
The first day concluded with No. 5 Michigan narrowly edging out No. 12 UC San Diego, winning 68-65, despite a determined effort from UCSD, which made it a close game until the end.
Looking ahead, Texas Tech continued the trend of advancing teams as they claimed an 82-72 victory over No. 14 UNC Wilmington. They too will face Drake in the next round, setting up another intriguing matchup as both teams ride the momentum of first-round victories.
Fans can eagerly anticipate the drama that the next round of March Madness will bring. The stakes are only getting higher as teams chase their championship dreams.
As it stands in the ACC Conference, it wasn't a good day; Clemson and Louisville both faced defeat, leaving only Duke and North Carolina standing in the tournament. This pressure will now intensify for the remaining ACC teams as they aim for advancement.
In conclusion, the first day of the NCAA tournament reminded fans why they love March Madness. With thrilling upsets, dramatic comebacks, and intense matchups in the works for the second round, the excitement is palpable across the country. March Madness is just getting started, and the world will be watching closely.
