NCAA Men’s Tournament Update from Seattle

Seattle, WA – The first round of the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament wrapped up on Friday night, with excitement building as only 32 teams remain in the hunt for the championship. Several matches brought both surprises and drama to the tournament, especially when it came to the upset victories that always capture the essence of March Madness.

Highlighting the action, the No. 12 seeds made a strong statement as both McNeese and Colorado State toppled their higher-seeded opponents. McNeese took down No. 5 Clemson and Colorado State followed suit by defeating No. 5 Memphis, marking the fourth time in recent years that a double-digit seed managed to advance this early in the tournament.

Meanwhile, No. 1 seed Duke showed their strength, crushing their opponent and returning standout player Cooper Flagg to the court. Similarly, No. 2 seeds Alabama and Michigan State both persevered against No. 15 seeds, ensuring their paths continued into the next round.

One of the most talked-about matches was between No. 11 seed North Carolina and No. 6 seed Ole Miss. North Carolina, who seemed to barely sneak into the tournament, made a valiant effort to pull off an upset but fell short, losing 71-64. Guard RJ Davis expressed the disappointment, saying, “It just describes our whole season… we were resilient.” North Carolina’s season ends here, despite a gutsy comeback attempt.

In contrast, UConn showed up to play, defeating Oklahoma 67-59 in a tightly contested bout. Coach Dan Hurley made it clear that their mission isn’t over yet as they pursue a third consecutive title.

As the tournament progresses, the SEC reported mixed results, with eight wins but also facing disappointments in crucial games. The challenges continue as the Big Ten teams had a flawless first round, with each of their eight entries winning, shifting the spotlight toward them as potential contenders.

As the second round draws near, with exciting matchups anticipated for Sunday, fans will be watching closely to see if any more surprises are on the horizon. With a more chalky first round than usual, the energy around the tournament speaks to the unpredictable nature of the game – something that March Madness is known for.