The NCAA tournament wasted no time delivering its signature chaos, as the opening day saw surprising upsets and dominant performances.
One of the biggest shocks came from 11th-seeded Drake, who pulled off a stunning upset over sixth-seeded Missouri. Bulldog fans made their presence felt, chanting “Overrated SEC” as their team secured the victory. Meanwhile, No. 12 McNeese State made history with a dramatic 69-67 win over fifth-seeded Clemson the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Notably, McNeese head coach Will Wade is already rumored to be taking the head coaching job at NC State after the tournament.
Despite early exits from Missouri and Georgia, the SEC still made its mark. No. 1 Auburn cruised past Alabama State, while Texas A&M and Tennessee also advanced. Houston, the other No. 1 seed in action, dominated SIU-Edwardsville, 78-40. Though the result was never in doubt, Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson took the opportunity to advocate for smaller-conference teams, emphasizing the importance of giving mid-majors a chance on the national stage.
Drake’s victory stood out not only for the upset itself but also for the leadership of first-year head coach Ben McCollum, who previously guided Northwest Missouri State to four Division II national titles. Following the win, McCollum expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete, stating, “I kind of expected this. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I believe in these kids.”
With a full slate of games ahead, defending champion UConn is set to take on SEC newcomer Oklahoma, while the NCAA Women’s Tournament also begins, with UCLA and South Carolina looking to validate their No. 1 seed status.
With only one day complete, March Madness is already living up to its reputation and the excitement is just beginning.