The theme of Friday was redemption as several teams that faced first-round exits in the 2024 NCAA Tournament began the 2025 tournament with impressive victories. A notable performance came from the No. 3 seed Kentucky, which decisively beat No. 14 seed Troy 76-57, marking coach Mark Pope’s first NCAA Tournament win.
Following John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas after the 2023-24 season, Pope was brought on board by the Wildcats amidst skepticism from fans due to his previous 0-2 record in the tournament while at BYU. Many believed Kentucky should pursue a more high-profile coach, making Pope an unexpected choice.
Yet, Pope quickly won over the Kentucky supporters, connecting with the fanbase as a former player. Despite a rocky season filled with injuries, the Wildcats had managed eight wins against top-15 teams. The Friday victory was crucial; another early exit would have significantly impacted morale. After last year’s disappointing performance, the resilient Wildcats delivered a strong showing against Troy.
Other teams, including Florida, Saint Mary’s, Colorado State, and New Mexico, also bounced back from disappointing showings the previous year, securing their advancement in the tournament. Below is a recap of the day’s key performances.
Winner: Kentucky Achieves Redemption Against No. 14 Seed
Last year, Kentucky endured a painful loss to No. 14 seed Oakland when Jack Gohlke’s remarkable shooting led to their exit. This year, however, the Wildcats returned to form with a convincing 76-57 win over No. 14 seed Troy. Despite challenges including injuries to key players, Kentucky has successfully moved past the previous year’s defeat.
Loser: North Carolina Exits with Just One Team from ACC
The No. 11 seed North Carolina faced a significant deficit in their game against No. 6 seed Ole Miss, trailing by 22 points. Although UNC mounted a comeback and closed to 66-64 nearing the end, they fell short, finishing with a 71-64 loss, leaving Duke as the only remaining ACC team in the tournament.
Winner: Flagg Shines in Duke’s Dominating Victory
Duke’s star player Cooper Flagg returned from an ankle injury in time for the No. 1 seed Blue Devils’ 93-49 thrashing of No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s. Looking ahead, Duke will face Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe next, who is also a promising NBA prospect.
