Day 1 of this year’s NCAA Tournament unfolded largely as expected, with only a notable 12-5 upset where McNeese defeated Clemson and another blow to the SEC as 11th-seeded Drake overcame sixth-seeded Missouri. The remaining matchups followed the expected outcomes, including No. 5 Michigan narrowly beating UC San Diego with a last-second jump shot from Will Tschetter, and No. 3 Texas Tech only pulling ahead of UNC Wilmington late in the game.
Fans of basketball are hoping that the calm spell won’t last long, as they look forward to more upsets and exciting moments in the upcoming games. We’ll keep you updated on the most significant storylines and developments throughout Day 2 of the tournament.
First “upset” of the day belongs to Colorado State
Building on the upset trend, Colorado State stunned Memphis with a powerful second half performance, especially from the three-point line, resulting in their victory. Sophomore guard Kyan Evans set personal records with 23 points and six three-pointers, helping the Rams overcome a slight halftime deficit. The final score of 78-70 was anticipated due to Memphis’ struggles, particularly without their star player, Tyrese Hunter, who was sidelined by injury.
The Rams, who had a strong late-season momentum with ten straight victories, are now poised for their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1969. They showcased strong teamwork with four players each scoring over 12 points and maintained defensive pressure that limited Memphis’ shooting percentage in the second half.
SEC’s struggles continue as Baylor holds off Mississippi State
The SEC’s initial excitement, having sent a record 14 teams to the tournament, faced setbacks as No. 8 Mississippi State lost to No. 9 Baylor, further examining the league’s credibility as power players in college basketball. The defeat raised concerns about the SEC’s depth and competitiveness in March Madness, showcasing Mississippi State’s vulnerabilities, particularly in physical play, as they allowed Baylor numerous second-chance points.
With more potential losses looming for SEC teams in the ongoing tournament, observers are keenly watching their performance to assess the true stature of the league as a whole. The implications of these early clashes will shape the narrative around the SEC, already facing criticism based on their uneven performances early in the tournament.
Michael Cohen covers college football and college basketball for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_Cohen13.
