The NCAA Tournament’s first round on Thursday was nothing short of spectacular, marked by standout individual performances that set the stage for an electrifying start to the Big Dance. The day was filled with upsets, dramatic comebacks, and moments of sheer brilliance as the bracket was thrown into delightful disarray.
Jack Gohlke, the guard from Oakland, was the day’s standout performer, dazzling with a 32-point showcase that propelled the No. 14 seed Grizzlies to an 80-76 upset victory over the No. 3 seed Kentucky. However, Gohlke wasn’t the only player who shone brightly. Jermaine Couisinard of Oregon, a No. 11 seed, erupted for a career-high 40 points, leading his team to an 87-73 triumph over No. 6 seed South Carolina.
Adding to the day’s historic performances, Illinois’ wing Marcus Domask etched his name into the NCAA Tournament record books. He became the first player since Ja Morant in 2019 to achieve a triple-double in the tournament, contributing significantly to the No. 3 seed Illini’s 85-69 win over No. 14 seed Morehead State. Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s forward Anton Watson nearly joined this exclusive club, falling just one assist short of a triple-double as the No. 5 seed Bulldogs decisively defeated No. 12 seed McNeese.
While these performances were cause for celebration, the day also brought its share of disappointment, particularly for Kentucky. The Wildcats’ early exit from the tournament, despite their rich basketball heritage, underscored a growing trend of underperformance in recent years, intensifying the scrutiny on coach John Calipari.
In contrast, Duquesne, led by coach Keith Dambrot, who announced his impending retirement, defied expectations by securing the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in 55 years, upsetting No. 6 seed BYU 71-67. This victory not only extended Dambrot’s career but also added a fairy-tale chapter to Duquesne’s season.
The SEC had a day to forget, with its teams faltering, including a lackluster performance from South Carolina against Oregon. Conversely, the Pac-12 enjoyed a perfect start, with its teams, including Arizona and Oregon, notching impressive victories to maintain an undefeated record in the tournament.
Gonzaga, Michigan State, and Illinois emerged as winners, each delivering commanding performances that highlighted their championship credentials. On the other hand, BYU’s reliance on the three-pointer proved to be its downfall, and Nevada’s late-game collapse against Dayton was a heartbreaking end to its tournament run.
The Mountain West Conference’s disappointing start, with losses for Colorado State and Nevada, contrasted sharply with the dignity and grace displayed by Long Beach State’s coach Dan Monson. Despite an awkward situation following his firing, Monson’s class in handling his team’s exit from the tournament earned him widespread respect.
As the tournament progresses, the thrilling victories, unexpected defeats, and heroic individual efforts from the first round set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable March Madness.