Sit down and get comfortable on the couch. Get some popcorn and the drink of your choice. Turn on the Television. Strap yourself in and get ready. It is that time of year when everything seems to change. There is chaos, victory and defeat. Great happiness and a sadness that is indescribable. This unexplainable presence is the month of March. The month that gives us the best of the best in college basketball. Blowouts and the great upsets. So sit back and get ready for the Madness that comes to March.
The first day of the 2018 NCAA tournament was just about everything that everyone expected…madness. Let’s look at what went on.
To start off the day, Oklahoma took on Rhode Island, and oh boy did this game set the tone of the tournament. Despite Trae Young scoring 28 points making 50 percent of his shots, Rhode Island was able to defeat the Sooners, 83-78, in an overtime thriller. Tennessee took to heart their “don’t choose us” campaign as they absolutely demolished Wright State 73-47. The Vols stepped on the accelerator and never put their foot on the break.
GONZAGA SURVIVE!
Huge three by freshman Zach Norvell helps them avoid the upset against UNCG pic.twitter.com/0LLux9UGeM
— The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) March 15, 2018
UNCG kept it close, but the nations top mid-major Gonzaga held them off as they always do to advance to the next round. Freshman Guard, Zach Norvell Jr. put the cherry on top with a big three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in the game. With a flaming hot start, it seemed as f we might have one the largest upsets of the tournament. However, Kansas in typical Kansas fashion accepted the challenge and took over the game, winning 76-60.
After telling the media that he was the best player going into the 2018 draft, Marvin Bagley III led Duke to a monstrous 89-67 win over the Gaels of Iona. Bagley scored 22 points making 10 of his 14 shots and collected nine rebounds sending the Blue Devils to the second round. The first upset of the day is presented by Loyola as they upset the Hurricanes of Miami. The game was close throughout, but with Loyola down by one and time running out, Donte Ingram puts the nail in the coffin draining a game-winning three making the final score 64-62 in favor of Loyola.
Donte Ingram game-winner for Loyola!! pic.twitter.com/X5t3AnkjZU
— ?arcusD (@_MarcusD2_) March 15, 2018
As the madness was in full effect, Ohio State and South Dakota State wanted to get in on the action. At the start of the second half, it seemed as if the Buckeyes were going to take over the game, but with about 4 min left in the game, the Jackrabbits started hopping their way to a tie game at 70-70 with about one minute and thirty seconds. As they got it tied up, the momentum changed directions after OSU Guard Kam Williams drained a three while getting fouled making it a four-point play. The Buckeyes move on to the next round with a final score of 81-73.
NC State took on Seton Hall in one of the most evenly predicted games of the first day. Seton Hall jumped out to a quick lead and the game stayed that way the whole game. Despite Allerik Freeman carrying his NC State teammates on his back scoring 36 points, it wasn’t enough to catch up to the Pirates, resulting in a 94-83 Seton Hall Victory.
Wildcats seemed to be the very successful mascot as both Villanova and Kentucky defeated their first-round matchups. Villanova took down Radford like any number one seed should take down a number 16 seed. A blowout. An 87-61 Villanova win led to six Wildcat player scoring in double digits. Kentucky had come into their first-round matchup against Davidson with a 99.3 percent chance of winning. And they did just that. Rallying around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s near triple-double performance, the Wildcats move on with a 78-73 Victory.
To dive even deeper into the madness let’s look at Texas Tech against Stephen F. Austin. A close game throughout, fans were forced to sit on the edge of their seats while watching this thriller. The Red Raiders rallied behind Kennan Evans’ 19 second-half points and ended this thriller on a 13-2 run to put the icing on the cake and give them a 70-60 win over the Lumberjacks. This game was highlighted by Zhaire Smith’s alley-oop 360 dunk.
Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith with the 360 alley-oop dunk ?#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FxX8q24zlA
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 15, 2018
Later in the day, Houston’s guard Rob Gray showed us he is the man for the Cougars, as he set a career high in points with 39. He also put his stamp on the game with a game-winning layup with one second left. Because of his spectacular performance, the Cougars were able to get the win over San Diego state in good ole last-second fashion.
ROB GRAY WITH THE GAME-WINNING LAYUP!pic.twitter.com/y6Af9fHwU1
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 16, 2018
Alabama against Virginia Tech is just another game to add to the list of close games on the first day of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. With Alabama defeating Virginia Tech 86-83, it never seemed that any team had an edge in this game. One thing we did know is that Alabama Guard Colin Sexton is absolutely UNREAL. He was playing as a man amongst boys as he puts up 25 points and six assists to lead his team to victory. With every close game comes a blowout. But no one expected this. Buffalo upset four seed and Final Four favorite Arizona, winning by 21 points! Buffalo’s defense was able to hold projected number one pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, DeAndre Ayton, to only 14 points, six points less than his season average. Nothing says ‘March Madness’ as much as this game.
Florida came into their matchup against St. Bonaventure with one thing in mind. Perimeter defense. The Gators forced the Bonnies to only make three of their 19 attempted three-point shots. Tha’s 15.8 percent. Florida Handled business with a 77-62 victory and will be moving on to the next round. This brings us to the last game of the day Michigan vs. Montana. This game gave us a break from all the madness as Michigan defeats Montana 61-47. Michigans’ Charles Matthews carried the Wolverines to a victory scoring 20 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
Day one of the tournament gave fans everything they wanted from the tournament. Highlight plays, game-winning buckets, and major upsets were brought out on this day. But there is still a lot more of the tournament to go.
