The NCAA Tournament faced an unexpected twist on March 21, 2025, when the No. 12 seed Colorado State Rams defeated the fifth-seeded Memphis Tigers 78-70 in a stunning upset during the opening round.
Playing at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the Memphis Tigers entered the tournament as strong contenders with an impressive record of 29-6. However, injuries to key players severely undermined their performance. Guards Tyrese Hunter and Dante Harris were both sidelined, significantly affecting the Tigers' strategies on the court.
Despite these setbacks, Memphis managed to start the game strong. They held a five-point lead going into halftime, fueled by a commendable performance from senior forward Dain Dainja, who scored 22 points and recorded 12 rebounds. Albeit the Tigers’ strong start, they could not sustain their momentum against a determined Colorado State squad.
Kyan Evans shone for Colorado State, sinking six three-pointers and racking up a career-high 23 points. His exceptional shooting helped to erase Memphis's halftime lead as the Rams began the second half aggressively, outscoring the Tigers. Memphis struggled to keep pace, falling victim to Colorado State’s sharp outside shooting.
Nique Clifford, the Mountain West Tournament MVP, contributed significantly with 14 points and solid all-around play, delivering eight rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson added depth to the Rams' offense with 12 points, contributing to Colorado State's rising confidence on the court.
As the game progressed, Memphis found it difficult to match Colorado State's quick-fire scoring. Coaches and players mentioned the impact of injuries during post-game interviews, highlighting the challenging situation. Head coach Penny Hardaway commented on the critical nature of losing Hunter, the team's third-leading scorer, to a left foot injury just before the tournament.
Hunter had missed the last games leading up to the tournament after sustaining a foot injury during the AAC tournament semifinals. His absence proved costly, particularly in a tight match where depth and resilience were necessary to advance. Alongside Harris, who had not played since suffering a high ankle sprain on March 4, the Tigers lacked the scoring support they needed.
“Dante is progressing,” Hardaway noted, referencing the injuries to both his guards. But the team's situation was evidently precarious, as they faced a formidable opponent without two of their main contributors.
The Tigers ended the game with their season record at 29-7, a disappointing end for a team that had high hopes entering the NCAA tournament. The defeat marked another instance of a 12-seed eliminating a 5-seed in the tournament's history, a statistic that emphasizes the tournament’s unpredictability.
Colorado State advanced to the Round of 32, extending their winning streak to 11 games with the victory. Coach Niko Medved celebrated the team's performance, saying, “Our guys stayed steady, we had to fight through adversity.” The Rams' full-court press and effective perimeter shooting proved decisive, a combination Memphis could not counter.
In contrast, Memphis's PJ Haggerty, the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, netted 18 points but faced relentless defensive pressure throughout the game. Haggerty's struggle to find rhythm highlighted the challenges Memphis faced, as they could not effectively create opportunities once their initial game plan unraveled.
The focus will now shift for both teams as Colorado State prepares to face either Maryland or Grand Canyon in the next round, while the Memphis Tigers regroup to analyze their season and consider strategies for improvement in the upcoming recruitment cycle.
As March Madness unfolds, this game will be one for the books, highlighting the competitive spirit of college basketball and the thrilling unpredictability that defines the NCAA tournament.
