Indianapolis, Indiana – The first day of the NCAA Tournament brought a mix of excitement, upsets, and controversial calls that left fans on the edge of their seats. One such incident occurred during the matchup between Samford and Kansas, where a questionable foul call ultimately impacted the outcome of the game. Despite the controversy, Kansas managed to secure a 93-89 victory over Samford, advancing to the next round of the tournament.
In another game, Michigan State, known for its March success, dominated Mississippi State with a 69-51 win. On the other hand, No. 3 seed Kentucky faced an early exit from the tournament as they fell to No. 14 seed Oakland in an 80-76 upset. The Wildcats’ disappointing loss marked another year of falling short in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 11 seeds proved to be the underdogs to watch as Oregon, NC State, and Duquesne all secured wins against their higher-seeded opponents. Meanwhile, Washington State made a triumphant return to the tournament after more than a decade, defeating Drake in a thrilling 66-61 matchup. The Pac-12 conference also saw success with Oregon, Arizona, and Washington State all emerging victorious on the first day of the tournament.
The controversy continued as No. 4 seed Kansas narrowly escaped defeat against Samford, thanks to a disputed call in the closing seconds of the game. The questionable foul on the floor gave Kansas the opportunity to secure the win with two free throws, sealing their spot in the next round. Similarly, NC State, after a rocky start to the season, continued their unexpected journey by defeating Texas Tech 80-67 and advancing to face Oakland in the second round.
Washington State’s return to the NCAA Tournament proved fruitful as they secured a hard-fought victory over Drake, setting up a matchup against No. 2 seed Iowa State in the next round. With standout performances and unexpected upsets, the first day of the tournament set the stage for an intense and unpredictable competition ahead.