March Madness Round 1 Recap: Bracket Busters, Blowouts, and Breakouts

And just like that—March happened. The first round of the NCAA Tournament didn’t waste any time wreaking havoc. Brackets were shredded before lunch on Day 1, and by the end of Day 2, less than 1% remained intact. Upsets? Plenty. Blowouts? Brutal. Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to spotlight the teams that impressed, the ones that folded, and what to expect in Round 2.

Creighton Handles Louisville in Statement Win

9 Creighton vs. 8 Louisville
Creighton came out composed and experienced—exactly how you want a team to look in March. Their veteran core (Kalkbrenner, Ashworth, Isaacs, Neal) and a battle-tested coach in Greg McDermott took control early and never let go.

Louisville, despite their red-hot entrance into the tourney, couldn’t get the 3-ball to fall consistently. Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards Jr. fought hard, but it wasn’t enough to compensate for the lack of depth. A tough end for the Cardinals, but a season worth remembering.

Purdue Outrebounds High Point’s Cinderella Hopes

13 High Point vs. 4 Purdue
A popular upset pick nearly pulled it off. High Point hung around and looked the part of this year’s Cinderella… until Purdue’s size and rebounding crushed the dream. Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn led the charge, but it was Will Berg’s unexpected contributions off the bench that steadied the ship.

Purdue’s physical dominance showed on the glass (45 to 24) and now they’ll face McNeese—a double-digit seed with momentum of their own.

Wisconsin Shoots the Lights Out Against Montana

14 Montana vs. 3 Wisconsin
This one wasn’t close. Wisconsin looked elite, notching 55% shooting from the field and dominating Montana in every facet. The Badgers’ size and depth made the difference, while Montana struggled to make anything stick. Up next: a tougher challenge in BYU.

Houston Blows Out SIU Edwardsville

16 SIU Edwardsville vs. 1 Houston
This was the definition of a mismatch. Houston imposed their will from tip-off, nearly doubling SIU’s stats across the board—scoring, shooting percentage, rebounding, steals, you name it. SIU made history just by making it. But Houston reminded everyone why they’re a No. 1 seed.

Next stop: a sneaky-tough matchup with Gonzaga.

Auburn Cruises Past Alabama State

16 Alabama St. vs. 1 Auburn
Alabama State came in with some buzz after a First Four buzzer-beater, but Auburn quickly extinguished any hope. While not a total blowout, it was a clear talent gap. Auburn will need to tighten up their execution though—with Creighton up next, there’s little room for error.

McNeese Upsets Clemson in a Rout

12 McNeese vs. 5 Clemson
This game had "bracket buster" written all over it—and it delivered. McNeese looked like the higher seed from the opening tip, building a 31-13 halftime lead and holding on despite a late Clemson surge. The Cowboys, led by Will Wade, look like a legit Cinderella threat heading into their showdown with Purdue.

BYU Escapes VCU in a Gritty Battle

11 VCU vs. 6 BYU
After getting upset last year as a 6-seed, BYU wasn’t letting it happen again. Egor Denim looked every bit the lottery pick he's projected to be, and Kevin Young coached his team with poise under pressure. VCU didn’t go quietly, but the Cougars were just sharper in the moments that mattered.

Gonzaga Overpowers Georgia

9 Georgia vs. 8 Gonzaga
Gonzaga came out swinging and never let Georgia back in it. Despite Asa Newell’s best efforts (who raised his draft stock), Gonzaga shot a scorching 55% from both the field and deep. Dominant, clean, efficient.

Tennessee Too Much for Wofford

15 Wofford vs. 2 Tennessee
Tennessee’s guard tandem of Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler put on a show, combining for 41 points and 13 assists. Wofford battled but couldn’t keep pace. The Vols are locked in and looking dangerous.

Arkansas Edges Kansas in a Classic

10 Arkansas vs. 7 Kansas
A heavyweight battle. Calipari vs. Self lived up to the billing. Arkansas came out on top in a back-and-forth affair that saw lead changes, big-time plays, and high-level execution. Next up for Coach Cal? A date with Rick Pitino. Buckle up.

Texas A&M Handles Yale’s Attempted Upset

13 Yale vs. 4 Texas A&M
Yale pulled this off last year against an SEC team—but not this time. Pharrel Payne was a force inside, and while Wade Taylor didn’t light it up, A&M had more than enough to advance. Their bench showed depth, which they’ll need against Michigan.

Drake Dismantles Missouri

11 Drake vs. 6 Missouri
Drake came in with doubters and left with believers. They dominated statistically, and Bennett Stirtz might just be this year’s fan-favorite folk hero. Missouri collapsed after a decent start and couldn’t recover.

UCLA Silences Utah State

10 Utah St. vs. 7 UCLA
Utah State wanted to flip the Mountain West narrative but couldn’t hang with UCLA’s consistent two-way play. A slow start in the second half doomed them. UCLA now gets a big test in 2-seed Tennessee.

St. John’s Storms Past Omaha

15 Omaha vs. 2 St. John’s
Pitino’s squad was all business. Omaha started hot but faded fast, and St. John’s made sure there was no upset in sight. Pitino vs. Calipari next round? Yes, please.

Michigan Sends UC San Diego Packing

12 UC San Diego vs. 5 Michigan
San Diego had the story. Michigan had the dominance. Dusty May’s team looked sharp, composed, and ready for a deep run. They’ll clash with a surging A&M squad next.

Texas Tech Outlasts UNC Wilmington

14 UNC Wilmington vs. 3 Texas Tech
UNCW pushed Texas Tech early, but JT Toppin and crew eventually took over. Now, they’ll face a Drake team that’s full of momentum. That one might be the game of the round.

Baylor Outlasts Mississippi State in a Classic

9 Baylor vs. 8 Mississippi State
This was one of the most even matchups on paper—and it delivered. The game was tight from start to finish, with neither team leading by more than five points in the first half. Baylor’s freshman duo of Robert Wright and VJ Edgecombe were relentless, pushing the tempo and making big plays when it mattered most.

Mississippi State showed flashes, especially with Hubbard leading the charge, but their 14 turnovers were costly. Baylor capitalized, scoring 15 points off those mistakes and controlling the offensive boards. That edge in second-chance points (40 in the paint to Mississippi State’s 24) proved decisive. Next up: Duke.

Alabama Survives Scare from Robert Morris

15 Robert Morris vs. 2 Alabama
Shoutout to Amarion Dickerson and Robert Morris—they nearly delivered a tourney moment for the ages. Alabama had control early, then lost it, then regained it behind their experience and sheer talent. Robert Morris pushed the Tide harder than expected, but in the end, Bama’s depth carried them across the finish line.

The Tide move on, but they’ll need a cleaner showing against a feisty Saint Mary’s squad.

Iowa State Destroys Lipscomb

14 Lipscomb vs. 3 Iowa State
This one turned ugly fast. Lipscomb kept it close for a few minutes before Iowa State shifted into overdrive. The Cyclones smothered on defense and found their rhythm offensively, cruising to a blowout win. They’ll now face an Ole Miss team that showed flashes of brilliance in their opener.

Colorado State Validates the Vegas Odds

12 Colorado State vs. 5 Memphis
A 12 seed favored over a 5 seed? Vegas was on the money. Kyan Evans and Nique Clifford came alive in the second half and helped Colorado State stay hot. Memphis fought hard, but CSU had too much momentum and too many answers.

They now get a high-powered Maryland team in what’s shaping up to be a must-watch second-round clash.

Duke Dominates Mount St. Mary’s

16 Mount St. Mary’s vs. 1 Duke
Cooper Flagg reminded everyone why he’s the most hyped freshman in the country. He was everywhere—scoring, rebounding, defending, energizing. Duke overwhelmed Mount St. Mary’s from start to finish and looked every bit like a team built for a title run.

Now they’ll face a battle-tested Baylor squad in Round 2.

Saint Mary’s Rallies Past Vanderbilt

10 Vanderbilt vs. 7 Saint Mary’s
A tale of two halves. Vanderbilt’s defense came out strong, but Saint Mary’s weathered the storm. Randy Bennett’s halftime adjustments paid off, as the Gaels executed their signature slow-tempo, grind-it-out offense and clawed back into it.

Vanderbilt went cold when it mattered, and Saint Mary’s gritted out the win. They’ll take on Alabama next.

Ole Miss Handles UNC in a Game of Runs

11 North Carolina vs. 6 Ole Miss
UNC started flat and never fully recovered. RJ Davis gave his all—as usual in March—but the Tar Heels just ran out of time. Ole Miss was sharp from the jump, led by Sean Pedulla’s clutch shot-making and composure under pressure.

With that win, the Rebels now have their hands full against Iowa State.

Maryland Smothers Grand Canyon

13 Grand Canyon vs. 4 Maryland
For a second, it looked like Grand Canyon had something cooking. That didn’t last long. Maryland, led by freshman phenom Derik Queen, took control and never gave it back. Physical, well-coached, and deep—this Terrapins squad has real staying power.

Up next? A red-hot Colorado State team.

Florida Erupts Against Norfolk State

16 Norfolk State vs. 1 Florida
Walter Clayton Jr. went off. Florida looked like an NBA team in the first half, completely overwhelming Norfolk State in every aspect—speed, size, shooting, defense. The Gators are on a mission and look like one of the most complete teams in the tournament.

Next up: a heavyweight battle vs. UConn.

Kentucky Cruises Past Troy

14 Troy vs. 3 Kentucky
Kentucky looked poised and polished from the start. Otega Oweh was efficient, aggressive, and in command. The Wildcats held a steady lead throughout and kept Troy at arm’s length. Mark Pope’s squad now preps for a marquee matchup with Illinois.

New Mexico Upsets Marquette in Thriller

10 New Mexico vs. 7 Marquette
This was one of the best games of the round. Donovan Dent and Richard Pitino’s Lobos shot better from the stripe and played cleaner down the stretch. Kam Jones did everything he could for Marquette, but the support wasn’t there.

New Mexico advances and will face a disciplined Michigan State team. That one’s a chess match.

Arizona Makes Quick Work of Akron

13 Akron vs. 4 Arizona
Caleb Love looked like a man on a mission. Arizona never took their foot off the gas, controlling the game from start to finish. They’ll now clash with Oregon in a matchup of two teams that rolled in Round 1.

UConn Outlasts Oklahoma in a Gritty Battle

9 Oklahoma vs. 8 UConn
Jeremiah Fears showed why he’s a future pro, but Dan Hurley’s Huskies were just tougher. UConn’s defense, pace, and rebounding gave them the edge in a physical game. With this win, Hurley keeps the dream of a three-peat alive.

Next up: Florida. Buckle in.

Illinois Finishes Strong Against Xavier

11 Xavier vs. 6 Illinois
Xavier’s First Four run ends here, but not without a fight. Illinois pulled away late behind a clutch Will Riley three and the all-around brilliance of Kasparas Jackucionis. The Illini looked like a team built for March.

They now get Kentucky in what could be the best matchup of the second round.

Michigan State Survives Bryant Scare

15 Bryant vs. 2 Michigan State
Bryant came out swinging, even held an early lead—but Tom Izzo wasn’t about to let this one slip. Coen Carr had a breakout game, carrying Michigan State through a sluggish start. The Spartans will need more than just Carr to beat New Mexico, though.

Oregon Dominates Liberty

12 Liberty vs. 5 Oregon
Game was over before it started. Oregon jumped out to an 18–2 lead and never looked back. The Ducks looked crisp, confident, and ready for the next test. That next test? Caleb Love and the Arizona Wildcats.

Final Thoughts:

The first round brought it all—chaos, chalk, and Cinderella dreams. Favorites like Duke, Houston, and Florida showed why they're top seeds, while double-digit seeds like McNeese, Drake, Colorado State, and New Mexico proved they’re not here just for the invitation.

Let us know: Which team impressed you most in Round 1? Who’s your Cinderella pick heading into the weekend?