Viewer’s Guide Round one, Day 2 men’s NCAA tournament action
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is halfway complete. Chances are, your bracket is already busted.
Oakland is Thursday’s biggest bracket buster, the No. 14 Golden Grizzlies taking out the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats.
Per the NCAA, Oakland’s upset left just 2,178 perfect brackets standing in its own bracket game. The NCAA said that was a mere 0.06% of entrants. And that number dropped even further Thursday night when NC State became the third No. 11 seed to knock off a No. 6 seed.
ESPN pegs the number of perfect brackets left on its site after the first full day of play at 1,825 … out of 22,114,647 entries. The NCAA said after NC State’s upset that less than 200 perfect brackets remain in its own game — though improbably one of those belongs to Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
Thursday’s other bracket busters were Duquesne, Oregon, and NC State, all No. 11 seeds. They knocked off No. 6 seeds BYU, South Carolina, and Texas Tech, respectively.
After eight games, the NCAA said just 2.43% of brackets remained perfect, but that was actually a big step up from last year, when just 0.124% of brackets were unblemished after eight games. Those brackets were decimated by early upsets of No. 4 Virginia and No. 2 Arizona — and saw upsets of No. 6 Iowa State and, most notably, No. 1 Purdue before the first round concluded.
Kentucky’s loss as a No. 3 seed — its second to a double-digit seed in three years — wiped a lot of people out, though. The NCAA said just 5.11% of entrants to its bracket game picked Oakland, with nearly 25% of brackets placing the Wildcats in the Final Four.
Sure, there’s never been a perfect bracket — but there’s still hope for hundreds of you out there! You could be the first!
Considering the recent upsets and surprising outcomes in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, it is clear that this year’s event is full of unexpected twists and turns. It highlights the unpredictable nature of March Madness and the excitement it brings to fans around the country.
The strong performance of underdog teams like Oakland, Duquesne, Oregon, and NC State showcases the competitive spirit and determination of these lower-seeded teams. It proves that rankings and seedings don’t always determine the outcome of a game and that anything can happen on the court.
Looking ahead, these upsets could have far-reaching implications for future tournaments. They might inspire more teams to believe in their chances and motivate them to challenge higher-seeded opponents. Coaches and players will analyze the strategies employed by the underdog teams and use them as inspiration for their own game plans.
In the larger context of college basketball, these upsets shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding the dominance of top-ranked teams and whether the current seeding system accurately reflects the strength and potential of each team. It raises questions about the need for revisions and adjustments to create a fairer playing field.
Furthermore, the excitement generated by these unexpected outcomes contributes to the overall popularity and viewership of the NCAA Tournament. Fans are drawn to the underdog stories and the thrill of witnessing highly-ranked teams fall. This trend is likely to continue as viewers are increasingly interested in the unpredictability and drama that March Madness brings.
As for the future of the NCAA Tournament, it is difficult to make concrete predictions. However, it is foreseeable that the tournament will continue to captivate the nation with its thrilling games and surprising results. Fans can expect more memorable upsets and moments that will be etched in college basketball history.
In conclusion, the first round of the NCAA Tournament has already delivered its fair share of surprises and upsets. These unexpected outcomes have sparked discussions and debates about the nature of the tournament and the seeding system. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more exciting games and unpredictable results. March Madness truly lives up to its name, and it will continue to be a thrilling event for years to come. So, grab your brackets and buckle up for the remaining rounds of this exhilarating tournament!
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the publication.