The opening round of the NCAA Tournament went as expected, with no major upsets shaking up the bracket. Top seeds Houston, Florida, Duke, and Auburn all advanced comfortably. While the underdogs battled hard, the higher-seeded teams asserted their dominance, setting the stage for a thrilling second round.
Here’s a breakdown of standout performances from the first round:
Arizona’s Standouts
• Jaden Bradley led the Wildcats with a team-high 19 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the field while adding six rebounds and three assists.
• Carter Bryant contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, shooting 5-of-8 overall and 2-of-4 from deep.
• Trey Townsend was efficient inside, scoring 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbing eight boards.
Notable First-Round Performances
• Donovan Dent (New Mexico) was unstoppable in the second half, finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, and six assists in the Lobos’ win over Marquette.
• Nique Clifford (Colorado State) had a well-rounded game, posting 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and zero turnovers in an upset win over fifth-seeded Memphis.
• Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) led all scorers with 20 points, adding five rebounds and four assists, showing explosive athleticism despite the Sooners’ loss to UConn.
• Otega Oweh (Kentucky) put on a show with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals in Kentucky’s dominant 76-57 win over Troy.
• V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor) came alive in the second half, finishing with 16 points, including two clutch free throws in Baylor’s win over Mississippi State.
• Robert Wright (Baylor) was key in his tournament debut, scoring 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting with three rebounds.
• David Joplin (Marquette) had a career night, pouring in 28 points and displaying impressive footwork and finishing ability in the paint.
Dominant Frontcourt Performances
• Coen Carr (Michigan State) set the tone inside, posting 18 points and nine rebounds while shooting 7-of-10 in a win over Bryant.
• Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) flirted with a triple-double, leading Illinois with 16 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in an 86-73 victory over Xavier.
• Julian Reese (Maryland) was a force inside, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks in a win over Grand Canyon.
• Derik Queen (Maryland) dominated the glass, collecting 15 rebounds to go with 12 points, three assists, and two blocks.
Big-Time Guard Play
• Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) powered the Gators past Norfolk State with 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists while hitting four threes.
• Alijah Martin (Florida) added 17 points, two assists, and two rebounds on efficient shooting.
• Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss) delivered in a win over UNC, posting 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
• Jordan Ross (Saint Mary’s) was clutch in a win over Vanderbilt, scoring 15 points with three assists and three blocks.
• Tyrese Proctor (Duke) torched Mount St. Mary’s with 19 points, knocking down six threes while dishing out five assists.
Under-the-Radar Impact Performances
• Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Robert Morris.
With the first round in the books, the top seeds remain intact, and the competition is set to intensify. Can the favorites keep rolling, or will we see upsets in the next round? Stay tuned for more March Madness action!
Who impressed you the most on Friday? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Photo Credit – Walter Clayton Jr; SEC
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