This season’s NCAA Tournament saw both the SEC and ACC leagues navigating a challenging start, with each league facing difficulties during the first round matches on Thursday.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC), which achieved a record 14 tournament bids, witnessed two teams exit on the tournament’s opening day. No. 6 seed Missouri lost to No. 11 seed Drake, while No. 8 seed Gonzaga rolled over No. 9 seed Georgia.
In contrast, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) faced an even harsher reality, with both No. 8 seed Louisville and No. 5 seed Clemson unable to secure wins. Louisville succumbed to No. 9 seed Creighton
, losing 89-75, while Clemson, favored as No. 5, was upset by No. 12 seed McNeese.
With half of the first round completed, the ACC will have at most two teams remaining in the tournament, which would tie its lowest representation since 1975 when only 32 teams participated in the NCAA Tournament.
The outcomes on the first day positioned both the SEC and ACC as the biggest disappointing leagues in the tournament thus far.
Winners and Losers of the First Round
Winner: McNeese Progreses to Round 2
In a historic moment, McNeese became the first mid-major from Lake Charles, Louisiana, under coach Will Wade, to win an NCAA Tournament game, defeating No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67 after resisting a late Tigers comeback.
Loser: Kansas Exits Again Before Sweet 16
Another season for Kansas began with a top ranking but ended prematurely once more as they fell to No. 10 seed Arkansas with a score of 79-72, marking a disappointing end to their season.
