Day 1 of March Madness has wrapped up, bringing with it two remarkable upsets that have shaken the NCAA men’s tournament landscape. The excitement kicked off when No. 12 seed McNeese pulled off a major shock by defeating No. 5 seed Clemson. McNeese’s impressive defensive play left Clemson struggling, as they managed to score only 13 points in the first half, enabling McNeese to secure a 69-67 victory.
Following this unexpected turn, No. 11 Drake made headlines by claiming their first tournament victory in 54 years, taking down No. 6 Missouri in another thrilling upset. Their triumph added another layer of excitement to an already eventful first day.
Meanwhile, St. John’s and Arkansas successfully moved forward with victories on Thursday. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in the Round of 32, featuring a Hall of Fame coaching duel between legends Rick Pitino and John Calipari set for Saturday.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) experienced a turbulent start to the tournament as both Clemson and Louisville faced defeats. This leaves Duke and North Carolina as the only remaining representatives from the ACC in the tournament, marking a challenging beginning for the conference.
Overall, Day 1 of March Madness has delivered unforgettable moments and set the scene for what promises to be a thrilling tournament ahead.