The field thins but the Madness continues; remaining teams settle in after Round 1 ST. LOUIS – The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s first round concluded with 68 teams eliminated, leaving 32 to advance. The bracket saw a lack of upsets, with higher seeds dominating most games. Of the 32 first-round matchups, 24 were won by the top-ranked teams, and only four of the eight lower seeds (8 vs. 9 seeds) advanced. The average margin of victory was 19.7 points, with only five games decided by single digits. Despite the lack of drama, standout moments emerged, including a thrilling overtime finish between Kentucky and Santa Clara, where the Wildcats survived a late surge by the Broncos. Notable performances included Connecticut’s Tarris Reed Jr., who recorded a rare 31-point, 27-rebound double-double against Furman, marking the first 30-25 stat line in NCAA Tournament history in 58 years. Reed, reflecting on his final March Madness, emphasized his focus on dominance. Meanwhile, Purdue guard Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley’s all-time assist record with his 1,077th assist, a one-handed bounce pass to Trey Kaufman-Renn. Smith credited his teammates for his success, while Kaufman-Renn highlighted the bond between the duo over the years. Other highlights included Kansas’ Darryn Peterson scoring 28 points in a game where the Jayhawks overcame a 26-point deficit against California Baptist. Virginia’s 18 lead changes in a win over Wright State and UCLA’s walk-on player retrieving Skyy Clark’s lost tooth during a game against UCF added quirky moments. The tournament also saw the end of Cinderella stories, as Miami and Akron fell to higher-seeded teams, though their runs were praised for their resilience. Upcoming matchups promise intrigue, with No.#purdue #ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #st_louis #kentucky #santa_clara
Oweh's buzzer-beater saves Kentucky in OT win over Santa Clara Kentucky narrowly avoided a first-round exit in the NCAA men's tournament after Otega Oweh delivered a game-winning shot in overtime, securing an 89-84 victory over 10-seed Santa Clara. The Wildcats’ star player scored a career-high 35 points, cementing his place in Kentucky’s tournament history with the dramatic finish at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The game was a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading momentum throughout. Santa Clara appeared poised to end the contest after freshman Allen Graves hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left in regulation, giving the Broncos a 79-78 lead. However, Oweh responded by tying the game at 70 in the final 10 seconds of regulation, then answered Graves’ clutch shot with a midcourt heave that forced overtime. The shot, which banked through the net as time expired, became the turning point for Kentucky. Oweh’s performance was pivotal in the second half, where he consistently neutralized Santa Clara’s efforts to take control. After Graves scored the Broncos’ final 11 points in regulation, including the game-tying 3-pointer, Oweh extended the game by hitting a critical shot. His ability to rise to the occasion underscored his importance to the Wildcats’ chances in the tournament. Kentucky coach Mark Pope praised Oweh’s composure under pressure, noting the shot’s trajectory and the eventual outcome. “I was nervous with the trajectory,” Pope said. “But then when it hit the glass in exactly the right spot, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is beautiful. It’s awesome.’” The game’s conclusion was marred by a controversial moment. After Graves’ 3-pointer, Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek attempted to call a timeout to adjust the defense but was not recognized due to the chaos of the play.#kentucky #santa_clara #herb_sendek #allen_graves #oweh_otea
Santa Clara Coach’s Timeout Call Missed as Kentucky Forces Overtime with Buzzer-Beater In a dramatic first-round NCAA Tournament clash, seventh-seeded Kentucky edged out 10th-seeded Santa Clara 89-84 in overtime, with a pivotal moment occurring in the final seconds of regulation. Santa Clara’s Allen Graves hit a game-winning 3-pointer to give his team a 73-70 lead with two seconds remaining. However, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh responded with a game-tying 3-pointer of his own, sending the game into overtime. Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek attempted to call a timeout immediately after Graves’ shot, aiming to reset his defense or strategize a response. The timeout was requested just moments after the shot, but the referee, already sprinting toward the opposing team’s inbound, did not acknowledge the call. Without the timeout, Kentucky’s Oweh was able to drive down the floor unimpeded and bank in the tying shot, altering the game’s outcome. Sendek later described the situation as a “likely response” after a go-ahead 3-pointer, noting that coaches are permitted to call timeouts on dead balls. He explained that if the timeout had been granted, he could have adjusted his defensive setup or instructed his team to foul Kentucky, potentially sending them to the free-throw line. “I tried to do that, and I was successful in doing, other than it wasn’t acknowledged,” he said. The missed timeout became a focal point of analysis, particularly for Santa Clara, which made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996. The Broncos, who finished the season 26-9 and reached the WCC championship game for the first time since 2007, saw their momentum vanish in an instant. Senior forward Elijah Mahi admitted the chaos of the moment left his team scrambling. “Honestly, there was just so much going on in that moment,” he said.#kentucky #santa_clara #herb_sendek #otega_oweh #allen_graves
10 vs. 7 Upset Rankings: Saint Mary's Least Likely NCAA Tournament No. 7 Seed to Lose A No. 10 seed has defeated a No. 7 seed in every NCAA Tournament since 2005, but only two teams have advanced past the first round in the past eight years. This year’s No. 10 seeds—Missouri, Santa Clara, Texas A&M, and UCF—face the challenge of overcoming the odds to beat their higher-seeded opponents. The matchups between these teams and the No. 7 seeds will determine which upsets are most likely to occur. The rankings of potential upsets are based on statistical analysis and team performance. Saint Mary’s, the No. 7 seed, is considered the least likely to lose to a No. 10 seed, according to the rankings. The Gaels, ranked fourth in rebounding margin and 12th in height, have a strong defensive presence. Their slower tempo and efficient offense, which averages 120.4 points per 100 possessions, could neutralize the faster-paced attacks of teams like Texas A&M. Saint Mary’s also benefits from a favorable matchup against the Aggies, who rank 325th in fouls per game and struggle to contain opponents with strong free-throw shooting. Texas A&M, the No. 10 seed, faces a tough test against Saint Mary’s. The Aggies, despite a strong start to the season, have struggled in recent games, losing seven of their last 11. Their high-tempo style, which averages 87.7 points per game, may not be enough to overcome Saint Mary’s rebounding dominance and defensive efficiency. However, the Aggies’ depth and experience could provide a challenge, especially if they can force turnovers and capitalize on Saint Mary’s slower pace. Santa Clara, another No. 10 seed, is ranked second in the upset likelihood rankings against Kentucky. The Broncos, led by Christian Hammond, have a strong ability to force turnovers, which could disrupt Kentucky’s offensive rhythm.#kentucky #missouri #texas_am #saint_marys #santa_clara
