Your information to March Insanity Day 1: Recaps, each and every winner’s

Mar 21, 2025, 02:08 AM ET

The primary day of March Insanity introduced upsets, blowouts and an action-packed 13 hours of faculty basketball.

Beneath is your information to all 16 first-round video games from Day 1 of the lads’s 2025 NCAA match, whole with research from on-site newshounds of ways every sport was once received, and our professionals’ takes on every winner’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16.

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Ultimate: Arkansas beat Kansas 79-72

How Arkansas received: In an exciting sport that got here right down to the general 3 mins, No. 10 Arkansas discovered its rhythm when it wanted it maximum to tug clear of No. 7 Kansas. After capturing 54.3% from the ground within the first 1/2, Kansas’ zone was once efficient in slowing the Razorbacks right down to 30% capturing in the second one 1/2 — till the general mins, once they closed it out on a 15-5 run. In step with ESPN Analysis, Kansas performed zone on simply seven possessions this season, so it was once a notable change-up. However the Jayhawks, who took a 67-64 lead with simply not up to 5 mins to play, looked to be impacted through the lack of ahead KJ Adams in crunch time. Adams was once helped off the courtroom and brought to the locker room with what gave the impression to be a vital harm. Jonas Aidoo led Arkansas with 22 issues, whilst Johnell Davis had 18, together with a grab 3-pointer with 1:47 ultimate to position the Razorbacks up 71-67. They put it clear of there. — Mike Reiss

2d-round opponent: St. John’s

Arkansas’ probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Arkansas has most commonly gave the impression of a dramatically other workforce than it did only some weeks in the past, when it dropped to 4-9 within the SEC and looked to be staring at its NCAA match hopes slip away. Regardless that there have been a couple of call-backs to these dreary iciness days down the stretch towards Kansas — specifically when the Jayhawks switched to a zone protection — the Razorbacks figured it out, hit some giant photographs and complicated. Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile are going to be key towards St. John’s. Aidoo outplayed Hunter Dickinson on Thursday and is averaging 18.5 issues, 8.5 rebounds and a couple of.0 blocks over his closing 4 video games — whilst Brazile has 4 double-doubles in his closing 5 video games. Arkansas additionally had problems past due towards Kansas’ power; St. John’s goes to make lifestyles depressing for the Razorbacks’ guards, so the go back of Boogie Fland might be much more impactful Saturday. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: McNeese beat Clemson 69-67

How McNeese received: McNeese head trainer Will Wade famous the variation between his workforce getting into this yr’s match in comparison to closing yr, pronouncing he felt the Twelfth-seeded Cowboys have been “extra about trade” after merely being satisfied to be there closing yr. They took care in their trade in spectacular type towards fifth-seeded Clemson, posting a 69-67 win that wasn’t as shut because the rating signifies. The Cowboys, who received their first match sport in class historical past, broke open a 6-6 tie early to take a 31-13 lead on the 1/2 ahead of conserving off a Tigers surge as issues were given abruptly attention-grabbing within the ultimate two mins. Brandon Murray scored a team-high 21 issues off the bench, whilst Quadir Copeland added 16 and Christian Shumate had 13 issues and 11 rebounds. — Mike Reiss

2d-round opponent: Purdue

McNeese’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: McNeese was once faculty basketball’s largest tale at the eve of the NCAA match, each for Cowboys supervisor Amir Khan going viral and trainer Will Wade attaining an settlement to transform the following trainer at NC State. Then the Cowboys have been arguably the largest tale on Day 1, knocking off 5-seed Clemson — nay, dominating Clemson. It took the Tigers quarter-hour to achieve double digits in issues, and McNeese led through as many as 24 ahead of Clemson scored 14 issues within the ultimate 45 seconds to make the general margin a lot nearer than it must were. McNeese had a large edge in athleticism and explosiveness, and it’s going to have one towards Purdue as properly. Can the Cowboys rattle Purdue’s offense the way in which they did Clemson? Braden Smith is an elite level guard, however he’ll have lots to navigate. Wade’s workforce is loaded with former high-major transfers; the highlight would possibly not be too brilliant for them. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: Drake beat Missouri 67-57

How Drake received: “You’ll be able to best keep an eye on what you’ll keep an eye on,” Drake guard Mitch Mascari mentioned Wednesday when requested about how the Bulldogs would take care of Missouri’s length merit. Smartly, Drake managed all of it Thursday evening, overpowering Missouri within the paint, the place the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 38-22. Drake dictated the pace from begin to end to protected a minimum of yet one more win in a storybook season beneath first-year trainer Ben McCollum. Bennett Stirtz was once the metronome, main the Bulldogs with 21 issues on 8-of-11 capturing. And fellow junior Tavion Banks joined Stirtz in double figures, however extra importantly, powered the Bulldogs’ dominance at the glass with a game-high 9 rebounds. Chants of “Overestimated, S-E-C” rained down from Drake enthusiasts because the seconds ran off the clock at the program’s first NCAA match since 2021, sealing the Bulldogs a second-round date with Texas Tech. — Eli Lederman

2d-round opponent: Texas Tech

Drake’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: In Ben McCollum’s first season, he led Drake to its first win within the NCAA match because the box expanded to 64 groups in 1985. However how? The Bulldogs have been dominant towards Missouri, which entered the sport ranked 5th in adjusted offensive potency on KenPom and controlled to attain simply 57 issues in a loss. Drake held a top-five offense — a workforce with wins over Kansas, Alabama and Florida — to only 0.88 issues in step with ownership. The Bulldogs, who’ve developed right into a top-40 protection since early January, additionally compelled turnovers on 26% of Missouri’s possessions. Then they let Missouri Valley Convention Participant of the Yr Bennett Stirtz (21 issues) maintain the remainder. Drake is assured, and that was once true ahead of Thursday’s victory. In opposition to Texas Tech, the Bulldogs must maintain probably the most peak defensive groups within the nation and a scoring assault led through JT Toppin, an Related Press All-The united states moment workforce variety. They are going to have a special job towards Texas Tech than they did towards Missouri (seventieth in adjusted defensive potency). — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Auburn beat Alabama State 83-63

How Auburn received: The important thing to any just right disillusioned is the underdog placing consistent and significant power at the favourite, however that did not occur right here, as issues ended up being lovely relaxed for 1-seed Auburn. Tigers senior guard Miles Kelly led all avid gamers with 23 issues, with 8 of his made buckets coming from in the back of the 3-point line. The Hornets have been at the verge of taking the lead within the first 1/2 however could not hit the vital unfastened throws — that was once their very best punch, and Auburn in the long run answered through final the 1/2 on a 9-0 run. It was once a spirited effort from the 16-seed SWAC champs, however it’ll take greater than that to overcome the highest general seed. The win units up an overly intriguing matchup towards 9-seed Creighton; the Bluejays confirmed they have got the offensive firepower to in point of fact take a look at the Tigers within the win over Louisville previous as of late. — Ben Child

2d-round opponent: Creighton

Auburn’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: When Alabama State took a short lived one-point lead over Auburn, questions in regards to the Tigers’ late-season demanding situations have been magnified — in fresh weeks, they’d lacked the competitive way that made them The united states’s No. 1 workforce for the majority of the season. Early in Thursday’s sport, Alabama State was once a success in proscribing Johni Broome’s touches. That may be an issue once more with Creighton having arguably the rustic’s very best inside defender in Ryan Kalkbrenner. The Bluejays’ warring parties have made simply 46.1% in their photographs throughout the arc this season (sixteenth), in step with KenPom, so Creighton may reproduction Alabama State’s early defensive way (albeit with a extra gifted team). However the Tigers all the time appear to determine it out. Thursday’s win was once evidence that they’re greater than a one-star workforce, with Miles Kelly completing 7-for-15 from past the arc, and they’ll be difficult to overcome in consequence. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Houston beat SIUE 78-40

How Houston received: Houston will get off to a really perfect begin to its 1/3 consecutive match as a 1-seed. A searing first-half capturing efficiency (61.3%) lifted the Cougars to a 28-point halftime lead and supposed they by no means had not up to a double-digit lead within the ultimate 34 mins of motion, cruising to this system’s second-largest victory in an NCAA match sport. Junior guard Milos Uzan dropped 16 issues to steer 4 scorers in double figures for the Cougars, who advance to Saturday’s moment around, the place they’ll face Gonzaga.

How J’Wan Roberts performed: Roberts, who ignored Houston’s earlier two video games after rolling his proper ankle within the workforce’s Large 12 Match opener, logged 20 mins and totaled six issues with 3 rebounds in his first motion since March 13 whilst dressed in just a cushy brace on his injured ankle. That bodes properly for the fifth-year senior and Cougars transferring ahead. — Eli Lederman

2d-round opponent: Gonzaga

Houston’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Houston can be examined early within the match, with a red-hot Gonzaga workforce arising. It is arduous to explain Houston as anything else however red-hot, too, despite the fact that: The Cougars have only one loss since November via a dominant Large 12 regular-season and convention match run. The storyline getting into Saturday would be the well being and effectiveness of J’Wan Roberts, who suffered an ankle harm within the convention match. Roberts began towards SIU Edwardsville within the first around, however had simply six issues and 3 rebounds. Houston did not essentially want a lot from him towards SIUE, however it’s going to towards Gonzaga. This matchup will see Gonzaga’s elite offense towards Houston’s elite protection, however it is also price tracking the Cougars’ 3-point capturing — which ranks fourth within the nation — towards the Zags’ top-15 3-point protection. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: St. John’s beat Omaha 83-53

How St. John’s received: St. John’s began gradual however became a five-point sport at halftime right into a second-half blowout, defeating Omaha through 30 issues. The Purple Typhoon opened the closing 1/2 on a 17-5 run and not seemed again, led through junior ahead RJ Luis Jr., who had a game-high 22 issues and added 8 rebounds. They entered the match as a top-three protection nationally, and suffocated the Mavericks, who shot 25.7% from the ground and went 5-of-36 from 3. Because the clock struck nighttime in Windfall, the pro-St. John’s crowd chanted Rick Pitino’s identify, saluting the Purple Typhoon trainer who now seems to be forward to a matchup towards John Calipari’s No. 10 Arkansas workforce. — Mike Reiss

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RJ Luis Jr. ties St. John’s tourney file with 5 3-pointers

RJ Luis Jr. knocks down 5 3-pointers in a blowout towards Omaha to steer St. John’s to the second one around of the NCAA match.

2d-round opponent: Arkansas

St. John’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Rick Pitino vs. John Calipari — it does not get well than that from a training viewpoint. Two of probably the most a success basketball coaches in their era whose careers crossed paths at more than one stops and are longtime opponents. It might behoove St. John’s to get off to a relatively sooner get started than it did Thursday, when Omaha led through six with simply over 8 mins left within the first 1/2, even though the Purple Typhoon have made a addiction of dominating moment halves and erasing deficits all season. A couple of keys for the Johnnies: Win the internal combat. Zuby Ejiofor is a threat at the offensive glass, however Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo are taking part in their very best basketball of the season. Drive turnovers. Arkansas has completed a greater task taking good care of the ball in recent times, but when Boogie Fland is not absolutely wholesome, the Razorbacks may nonetheless be wanting ball handlers. And will the Purple Typhoon’s scorching capturing proceed? The Purple Typhoon made 14 3s towards Omaha, tying their season excessive. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: Tennessee beat Wofford 77-62

How Tennessee received: This was once a type of video games the place the ability discrepancy was once obvious from the outlet tip. Regardless that Wofford did its very best to hang out and stored Tennessee truthful, the Volunteers did not glance troubled at any level — and it was once arduous for the Terriers to fight the Vols’ plethora of scoring choices. 5th-year guard Chaz Lanier scored a game-high 29 issues, the 1/3 perfect in a NCAA match sport in class historical past. Senior guard Zakai Zeigler had a double-double with 12 issues and 12 assists. General, it was once an excellent appearing. By way of including Lanier closing offseason, the North Florida switch might be the participant who pushes Tennessee to its first Ultimate 4 in class historical past. — Ben Child

2d-round opponent: UCLA

Tennessee’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: There simply wasn’t anything else Wofford (41% clip throughout the arc) may do as Tennessee carried out the defensive power that has anchored its season, then became to its stars to increase a double-digit lead. Tennessee has some way of taking an opponent’s self assurance with its skill to counterpunch anything else that is thrown its approach. Chaz Lanier — who has completed a large number of Dalton Knecht-like issues this season — scored 29 issues within the victory, and a top-three Tennessee protection held All-Southern Convention avid gamers Kyler Filewich and Corey Tripp to a blended 7-for-24 capturing clip. However Wofford should not really feel dangerous — the Vols may do the similar factor to UCLA or some other opponent within the box. They’re simply that just right. Their bodily technique to the sport and self-discipline has helped them rating wins over Auburn, Florida and Alabama in fresh weeks. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Wisconsin beat Montana 85-66

How Wisconsin received: The drumbeat of Wisconsin’s length and earnestness on offense was once an excessive amount of for the upstart Grizzlies. The Badgers had two 7-footers — Steven Crowl and Nolan Wintry weather — within the beginning lineup across the Large Ten’s fifth-leading scorer, John Tonje. The Grizzlies attempted to counter with their four-guard lineup, with the 6-foot-8 Te’Jon Sawyer continuously the one Montana participant at the flooring over 6-5. And whilst Montana minimize the result in 4 issues two times early in the second one 1/2, the Badgers stored grinding away on ruthlessly environment friendly 55.4% capturing. John Blackwell led U-W with 19 issues as Crowl completed with 18 and Tonje with 15. The Badgers blocked six photographs and outrebounded Montana 40-29. — Jeff Legwold

2d-round opponent: BYU

Wisconsin’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Wisconsin has gotten over no matter ailed it down the stretch of the steady season, when it misplaced 3 of 5 and had consistency problems at the offensive finish. Max Klesmit is wholesome once more, John Tonje discovered his shot all over the Large Ten match and Steven Crowl and John Blackwell may were their very best performers in Thursday’s win over Montana. Saturday’s matchup towards BYU goes to characteristic two of the most efficient offenses within the nation: The Cougars have the No. 4 offense at BartTorvik.com since Feb. 15, whilst the Badgers have been the second-most environment friendly offense within the Large Ten all over convention play. BYU stocks the ball and areas the ground in addition to any workforce left within the match — Wisconsin must restrict Egor Demin’s house to function and shut on shooters. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: Texas Tech beat UNC Wilmington 82-72

How Texas Tech received: Lacking third-leading scorer Probability McMillian (higher frame), Texas Tech rode a career-high scoring efficiency from tremendous senior Kerwin Walton to climate a hot-and-cold workforce capturing efficiency and grasp off a chronic UNC Wilmington. Walton, a former North Carolina guard, went 8-of-19 from deep to energy a 27-point scoring evening, accounting for almost 75% of the Purple Raiders’ 13 makes from 3-point vary. Walton’s capturing helped carry Texas Tech to a 35-19 first-half merit, and his 12 second-half issues have been important in retaining the Seahawks at bay whilst the Purple Raiders offense’ dragged throughout the ultimate 20 mins. Darrion Williams’ 13-point, 9-rebound appearing amid a nagging ankle harm is encouraging for Texas Tech, however Grant McCasland & Co. will want McMillian again and extra whole performances up forward if the Purple Raiders have points of interest on a deep run on this match. — Eli Lederman

2d-round opponent: Drake

Texas Tech’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Texas Tech isn’t but absolutely wholesome: Probability McMillian, one among its main scorers, has now not returned because of an higher frame harm. However the Purple Raiders, 8th in adjusted defensive potency, proved Thursday — and in more than one video games during the season — that they are able to conquer any offensive lapses to win giant. They made simply 40% in their box objective makes an attempt and 29% of photographs past the arc of their first-round win. Now not preferrred, however they nonetheless hit 80-plus issues and held UNC Wilmington to 6 issues within the ultimate 4 mins and 19 seconds. Kerwin Walton had 27 issues, JT Toppin completed with a double-double (12 issues, 11 rebounds) and Elijah Hawkins was once one rebound wanting a triple-double. Texas Tech can be a tougher matchup for Drake than Missouri. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Purdue beat Top Level 75-63

How Purdue received: Top Level performed the function of the pesky underdog properly, retaining issues shut in the second one 1/2. However finally, Purdue wore the Panthers down with junior ahead Trey Kaufman-Renn (21 issues, 8 rebounds) and junior guard Braden Smith (18 issues, 6 assists) main the fee. The decisive stat that tells the tale: Purdue had a 45-24 rebounding edge. Top Level’s closing lead was once on the 12:19 mark of the primary 1/2 (14-13), and whilst the Panthers minimize it to 3 with simply not up to 8 mins in legislation, they could not recover from the hump. — Mike Reiss

2d-round opponent: McNeese

Purdue’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Purdue did a few issues in point of fact properly towards Top Level: torched the Panthers’ drop protection in ball displays and safe the paint and the glass defensively. When Braden Smith is in a position to dictate the pace and function with freedom within the 1/2 courtroom, the Boilermakers are awfully efficient. And with Top Level’s 7-foot heart Juslin Bodo Bodo now not venturing a ways from the rim, Smith was once ready to play in house and both shoot floaters or in finding teammates. It’ll be a special tale towards McNeese, which is able to glance to make use of its duration and athleticism to pressure the ball out of Smith’s palms. Purdue’s inside protection was once significantly better towards Top Level than it was once down the stretch of the steady season, and that must lift over Saturday. Trey Kaufman-Renn wishes to stick out of foul hassle, too. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: Texas A&M beat Yale 80-71

How Texas A&M received: Texas A&M was once just too environment friendly on offense when it mattered, and an excessive amount of of a swarming riddle on protection for Yale to discover a resolution. The Aggies shot 51.7% from the sector as Pharrel Payne led a balanced team with 25 issues on 10-of-12 capturing to move together with his 10 rebounds. They held Yale to 29% capturing within the opening 1/2 and the Bulldogs spent a lot of the rest of the sport looking to dig out of the ones troubles. They did shut the space to 58-52 with just a bit greater than 8 mins to play, however were given no nearer, with the Aggies pushing the lead again to fifteen 3 mins later. Along with Payne’s efforts, Wade Taylor IV added 16 for the Aggies. Texas A&M additionally compelled Yale’s main scorer, John Poulakidas — who averaged 19.2 issues getting into Thursday evening — right into a 7-of-18 capturing evening directly to option to his team-leading 23 issues.— Jeff Legwold

2d-round opponent: Michigan

Texas A&M’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Yale megastar Bez Mbeng received the Ivy League participant and defensive participant of the yr awards this yr. In opposition to Texas A&M — a top-10 protection nationally — he completed with two issues. All over the season, the Aggies were not all the time a competent scoring danger (tenth within the SEC in offensive potency). However as probably the most peak offensive rebounding groups in The united states, they received through dominating the offensive glass and amassing second-chance issues. Whilst their 71% clip throughout the arc Thursday has now not been the norm, they have got the bodily gear to excel towards any workforce within the paint. Plus, Pharrel Payne and Wade Taylor IV completed with 41 issues blended. The Aggies will want a an identical offensive effort towards Michigan, however in addition they have the dimensions to maintain Michigan’s 7-footers. UC San Diego may have given Buzz Williams the blueprint to maintain Michigan. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Michigan beat UC San Diego 68-65

How Michigan received: The Wolverines attempted arduous not to glance pissed off when their first-round opponent had transform a classy disillusioned select, however Michigan was once in the long run one shot off the rim on the buzzer from going to time beyond regulation towards UC San Diego on Thursday evening. The Wolverines had opened the sport 10-0, led through 14 at halftime and driven the result in as many 15 issues early in the second one 1/2. However alas, Michigan — which led the Large Ten in turnovers at 14.1 in step with sport — endured to fumble away the nice occasions with 14 giveaways that led to fifteen issues for UCSD. The Tritons used a 17-3 run to chop the Wolverines’ result in 45-44 with simply wanting quarter-hour left to play and later tied it at 63 with slightly below 3 mins to move, squeezing Michigan down the stretch ahead of the closing gasp bounced away. UCSD’s main scorer of the season, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, had fouled out with 6:57 to play and simply seven issues. Michigan held UC San Diego to 38.7% capturing (24-of-62) general, proscribing the Tritons to 7-of-30 from 3. — Jeff Legwold

2d-round opponent: Texas A&M

Michigan’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Days after successful the Large Ten match, the Wolverines needed to make giant performs within the ultimate seconds to protected a slender victory over UC San Diego. The Tritons’ sport plan was once very similar to what Texas A&M will most definitely do: They have been competitive in looking to restrict the have an effect on of the Danny Wolf-Vladislav Goldin pairing. The ones 7-footers have run Dusty Might’s offense all season — and whilst UC San Diego held Wolf to a 4-for-11 clip, Goldin was once too sturdy. That was once the variation on the finish of the sport (in conjunction with Tre Donaldson hitting extra giant photographs), as he grabbed a important rebound past due. The Aggies and their top-10 protection are extra provided to stall Michigan, which dedicated 13 turnovers. Might runs a singular offense, however he’ll wish to have the option to get Wolf extra concerned to overcome the Aggies. — Myron Medcalf

(11) VCU vs.
(6) BYU

Ultimate: BYU beat VCU 80-71

How BYU received: As VCU head trainer Ryan Odom had warned, BYU was once certainly a workforce of flurries. The Cougars closed out the primary 1/2 on a 12-2 run ahead of opening the second one 1/2 with a 13-6 push on how one can a first-round win in Denver. By the point Odom known as a timeout 3 mins and 15 seconds into the second one 1/2, the Cougars had constructed a 52-34 lead, and the Rams didn’t slender the space to not up to 10 issues till Zeb Jackson hit a 3-pointer to make it 75-66 with 55 seconds to play. The BYU backcourt — Egor Demin and Richie Saunders — blended for 31 issues because the Cougars shot 50% from the sector, with Fousseyni Traore including 13. The Rams did have 4 avid gamers with a minimum of 10 issues, led through Jackson’s 23. — Jeff Legwold

2d-round opponent: Wisconsin

BYU’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: BYU’s offensive efficiency towards VCU bodes properly transferring ahead. The Cougars dealt properly with the Rams’ power, were given into the tooth in their protection time and time once more, crashed the offensive glass — and long term first-round select Egor Demin performed one among his very best video games in a BYU jersey. It is that closing section that gives various optimism: Demin made 3 3s within the tournament-opening win, best the 5th time since past due November he has made more than one photographs from past the arc. It’s price noting Wisconsin is far better offensively than VCU, and the Badgers have two avid gamers in John Tonje and John Blackwell who’ve been terrific in recent times. One key: BYU has allowed its previous 4 warring parties to make double-digit 3s; Wisconsin had the perfect 3-point price within the Large Ten play. — Jeff Borzello

Ultimate: UCLA beat Utah State 72-47

How UCLA received: Utah State could not muster any offense towards UCLA in a sport that felt each and every bit as lopsided as the general rating indicated. At one level past due in the second one 1/2, Utah State was once capturing 28.6% from the sector, which is not precisely a successful recipe in March. UCLA wasn’t precisely lights-out on its finish, however the Bruins had six avid gamers with a minimum of 8 issues, together with a team-high 14 issues from junior guard Skyy Clark. All that mentioned, we need to give the Aggies credit score for making it to the NCAA match once more in spite of having their 1/3 trainer in 3 years — athletic director Diana Sabau has completed a perfect task handing the baton to high quality coaches. — Ben Child

2d-round opponent: Tennessee

UCLA’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Mick Cronin’s groups have all the time been well-prepared defensively within the hardest matchups of the season. But if he known as his workforce “cushy” in January, the squad was once trending towards completing the yr as probably the most worst offensive devices within the Large Ten and past. As an alternative, the Bruins made a drastic replace: Because of Eric Dailey Jr. (14 issues in UCLA’s 72-47 win over Utah State on Thursday) and different Bruins standouts, this system has been a top-15 offensive workforce since mid-January. On Thursday, the Bruins made 42% in their 3-point makes an attempt, whilst Utah State — peak 20 in adjusted offensive potency on KenPom getting into the sport — attached on simply 30% of its box objective makes an attempt. This extra balanced offensive assault and sustained defensive effort (Aday Mara had 5 blocks Thursday) must be aggressive towards the Vols. In fact, there may be one factor: Tennessee can do anything else UCLA can do, with the exception of higher. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Creighton beat Louisville 89-75

How Creighton received: In what was once necessarily a highway sport, 9-seeded Creighton beat 8-seeded Louisville in a first-round matchup that wasn’t shut once more after the center of the primary 1/2. Creighton senior guard Jamiya Neal scored a game-high 29 issues with some huge buckets past due that helped stifle Louisville’s momentum. This draw is a combined bag for top-seeded Auburn, however the Bluejays confirmed they have got the firepower to in reality problem the Tigers. — Ben Child

2d-round opponent: Auburn

Creighton’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: Previous to Creighton’s first-round victory over Louisville — a workforce that boasted a top-30 rating in adjusted offensive and defensive potency getting into the sport — best Kentucky had manufactured a extra productive offensive show (93 issues) towards the Cardinals this season. Despite the fact that the Bluejays have a four-time Large East Defensive Participant of the Yr in Ryan Kalkbrenner, their offensive functions are the explanation they may compete with the 1-seeded Tigers on Saturday. If Jamiya Neal (29 issues vs. Louisville) continues to bounce, Creighton could have an actual shot towards Auburn. The Bluejays have boasted a top-25 offense over the last month, in step with BartTorvik.com, however the Tigers are the highest general seed for a reason why. Then again, Creighton cannot fit the total ability of Bruce Pearl’s squad and hasn’t defeated a top-25 KenPom workforce since Dec. 31. — Myron Medcalf

Ultimate: Gonzaga beat Georgia 89-68

How Gonzaga received: Running from the fewer acquainted function of match sleeper, Gonzaga nonetheless has the glance of a workforce that has been right here ahead of. The 8-seed Bulldogs became 13 turnovers into 25 issues and blitzed Georgia from deep, completing 12-of-20 from 3-point vary to protected an intriguing second-round date with No. 1 seed Houston. 6th-year guard Khalif Struggle led the capturing barrage with 4 triples, a part of a game-high 24-point efficiency to move with 8 rebounds. A 20-point, 12-rebound effort from Georgia freshman Asa Newell supplies just a sliver of solace for Mike White’s Bulldogs, who ignored 21 in their 26 3-point makes an attempt within the techniques first match sport in a decade. Another word on Gonzaga: Ryan Nembhard’s 8 assists at the day take his lend a hand tally to 333 at the yr, drawing the senior guard stage with Avery Johnson (Southern, 1986-87) for 5th all-time a number of the NCAA’s single-season lend a hand leaders. — Eli Lederman

2d-round opponent: Houston

Gonzaga’s probabilities to advance to the Candy 16: To sum it up: Gonzaga’s blowout win over Georgia moved the Zags as much as No. 8 within the nation at KenPom and BartTorvik. An 8-seed — ranked No. 8 general. Gonzaga is taking part in its very best basketball of the season, successful 10 of its previous 11 video games, and the Zags have shored issues up at the defensive finish over that span. Georgia had extra turnovers than made box targets within the first 1/2. Ryan Nembhard is likely one of the very best level guards within the nation, Graham Ike is likely one of the most effective bigs however the X issue is Khalif Struggle. When he is on, Gonzaga has a special tools offensively. And he is been on over the last 5 video games, averaging 18.8 issues and capturing 44.4% from 3. — Jeff Borzello

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