Day one of Men's March Madness was absolute mayhem
The GIST: Sixteen men’s first-round games yesterday, 16 more today and the tip-off of the women’s first round, too? We can’t possibly be expected to work in these conditions. Call in sick today — you’re up to your ears in Madness.
The men: It’s only day one, but March has already dialed the mayhem up to the max. No. 15 seed Princeton pulled off the biggest tourney upset so far by downing No. 2 Arizona 59–55, and the last seconds of No. 13 Furman’s 68–67 victory over No. 4 Virginia were so wild, not even Furman’s players believed it. Hilary Duff, is that you?
- The No. 8/9 seed matchups were also predictably tough, with No. 9 Auburn holding off a late push from No. 8 Iowa to win 86–75 and No. 8 Maryland snagging a narrow 67–65 dub over No. 9 West Virginia.
- In other notable first-day action, the Big Ten came through. No. 7 Northwestern survived No. 10 Boise State’s rally to grab a healthy 75–67 dub, while No. 10 Penn State rode their late-season surge to a 76–59 upset over No. 7 Texas A&M.
The women: Meanwhile, after No. 16 Tennessee Techand No. 11 St. John’swon last night’s First Four tilts,the women’s tourney begins in earnest today at 11:30 a.m. ET. ICYMI: Yesterday’s special edition has all the deets before the fun tips off (and our GIST-exclusive women’s bracket challenge closes). LFG.
- Our fave first-round matchup? Today’s 3 p.m. ET game between No. 6 Michigan and the No. 11 UNLV Rebels. The Wolverines may have the higher seed, but the upset-hungry Rebels are riding a 22-game win streak and looking confident.
