The first day of the 2025 NCAA tournament was full of excitement and surprises. Here’s a recap of some key games and the chances for each winning team to advance to the Sweet 16:
(10) Arkansas vs. (7) Kansas
Final: Arkansas 79-72
How Arkansas won: Arkansas closed out the game with a 15-5 run, despite struggling with Kansas’ zone defense for most of the second half. Jonas Aidoo led with 22 points, and Johnell Davis hit a crucial 3-pointer to seal the victory.
Chances to advance: Arkansas has shown improvement since a rough patch in the SEC season, with strong performances from Aidoo and Trevon Brazile. Their next matchup against St. John’s will test their guards against tough pressure, but they’re capable of pushing through.
(12) McNeese vs. (5) Clemson
Final: McNeese 69-67
How McNeese won: McNeese dominated the first half, leading by as many as 24 points. Clemson mounted a late comeback, but it wasn’t enough to overcome McNeese’s powerful performance. Brandon Murray led the Cowboys with 21 points.
Chances to advance: McNeese’s upset of Clemson was one of the biggest stories of Day 1. Against Purdue, they’ll need to continue applying pressure, especially with Braden Smith as a tough challenge. McNeese has the athletes to keep up, but Purdue’s offense will be a significant test.
(11) Drake vs. (6) Missouri
Final: Drake 67-57
How Drake won: Drake outplayed Missouri in the paint, where they dominated 38-22. Bennett Stirtz led with 21 points, and Tavion Banks controlled the boards. Their defense stifled Missouri’s top offense.
Chances to advance: Drake’s defense, which has been a strength all season, proved to be the difference. Against Texas Tech, they will face another strong defense, so they’ll need to balance their offense and defensive strategies to move forward.
(16) Alabama State vs. (1) Auburn
Final: Auburn 83-63
How Auburn won: Auburn weathered an early scare when Alabama State briefly took the lead, but they closed out the first half with a 9-0 run and cruised from there. Miles Kelly led with 23 points, including eight 3-pointers.
Chances to advance: Auburn looked solid, though there were some moments of concern. Their next matchup against Creighton will be tougher, but they have the offensive firepower, especially with Kelly’s shooting, to make it through.
(16) SIU Edwardsville vs. (1) Houston
Final: Houston 78-40
How Houston won: Houston dominated from the start with a scorching first-half shooting performance, never allowing SIUE back into the game. Milos Uzan led the way with 16 points.
Chances to advance: Houston faces a tough test in Gonzaga, but they have been one of the most consistent teams in the country. The health of J’Wan Roberts will be crucial, and if he’s at full strength, Houston’s elite defense will give Gonzaga a tough battle.
(15) Omaha vs. (2) St. John’s
Final: St. John’s 83-53
How St. John’s won: The Red Storm started slow, but RJ Luis Jr. turned up the heat, pouring in 22 points and grabbing eight boards, while St. John’s defense clamped down on Omaha. They shut the Mavericks down with a suffocating second-half performance, holding Omaha to 25.7% shooting from the field and 5-of-36 from beyond the arc. As the game ended, the Providence crowd was chanting Rick Pitino’s name in celebration, and St. John’s had punched its ticket to the second round.
Chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Rick Pitino’s squad faces a showdown with Arkansas in the next round, and it doesn’t get more electrifying than Pitino vs. Calipari! The key for St. John’s is to start stronger than they did against Omaha, while dominating the interior battle and capitalizing on turnovers. If they keep up their hot shooting, they’ve got the tools to make a deep run.
(15) Wofford vs. (2) Tennessee
Final: Tennessee 77-62
How Tennessee won: From the jump, Tennessee flexed its muscle. Chaz Lanier led the way with a dazzling 29 points, while Zakai Zeigler picked up a double-double with 12 points and 12 assists. The Vols’ depth and defensive pressure never let Wofford get comfortable, and despite a few moments of resistance, Tennessee cruised to the win.
Chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Tennessee is built to grind teams down, and their defense is a nightmare for any opponent. But their offense is equally potent, as proven by Lanier’s performance. Their next matchup against UCLA will be a battle of two elite offenses, and the Vols will have to keep their physicality in check while maintaining offensive firepower to move on.
(14) Montana vs. (3) Wisconsin
Final: Wisconsin 85-66
How Wisconsin won: The Badgers were too big, too strong, and too efficient for Montana. With two 7-footers in their lineup, Wisconsin controlled the paint, out-rebounding Montana 40-29 and blocking six shots. John Blackwell scored 19 points, while Steven Crowl added 18, helping Wisconsin grind out a convincing win.
Chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Wisconsin’s size and efficiency will give BYU fits in the next round. They’ll need to contain Egor Demin and limit BYU’s perimeter shooting while continuing to pound the ball inside. If they can maintain their defensive intensity and find consistent offense, they’re well-positioned for a Sweet 16 berth.
(14) UNC Wilmington vs. (3) Texas Tech
Final: Texas Tech 82-72
How Texas Tech won: Despite missing their third-leading scorer, Texas Tech leaned on a career-high 27 points from Kerwin Walton to overcome a persistent UNC Wilmington team. Walton went 8-of-19 from deep, while Darrion Williams contributed a gutsy 13 points and 9 rebounds. The Red Raiders weathered some cold shooting stretches but held off Wilmington in the second half with timely shots and tough defense.
Chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Texas Tech, even with McMillian out, has the depth and defensive chops to make a deep run. If Walton stays hot and the team gets more from Williams, they’ll be a tough matchup for Drake in the next round. The Red Raiders’ defense will be key, but they need to shoot more efficiently to go further.
(13) High Point vs. (4) Purdue
Final: Purdue 75-63
How Purdue won: High Point hung tough, but Purdue’s size and rebounding were simply too much. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Braden Smith added 18 points and 6 assists. Purdue dominated the boards, winning 45-24, and wore down High Point over the course of the game.
Chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Purdue has a lot of things going right for them—Kaufman-Renn and Smith are playing at a high level, and their rebounding is a massive asset. Against McNeese, they’ll need to stay sharp defensively and avoid any lapses that could allow the Cowboys to cause another upset. Purdue’s balanced attack and ability to control the paint will be crucial for their run to the Sweet 16.
(13) Yale vs. (4) Texas A&M
Final: Texas A&M beat Yale 80-71
How Texas A&M won: Man, the Aggies were relentless on both ends, getting it done in classic “Take what’s yours” fashion. Pharrel Payne was the star of the night, dropping 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbing 10 boards like a man on a mission. Texas A&M’s defense was suffocating, holding Yale to just 29% shooting in the first half, and by the time the Bulldogs tried to mount a comeback, the Aggies were too deep and too efficient. They were able to stretch that lead back to 15 late, and Yale, despite John Poulakidas’ 23 points, never really threatened. Wade Taylor IV added 16 for good measure.
Second-round opponent: Michigan
Texas A&M’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Buzz Williams’ squad showed they can defend with the best of them, as they have all season. But it’s their offensive rebounding, led by Pharrel Payne, that will keep teams up at night. Michigan is next, and they have a tough task ahead: A&M can battle inside with anyone, and Michigan’s going to have their hands full trying to limit Payne and Taylor.
(12) UC San Diego vs. (5) Michigan
Final: Michigan beat UC San Diego 68-65
How Michigan won: Let’s talk about surviving and advancing. Michigan almost made it much harder than it needed to be, letting UC San Diego make a serious run after leading by 15. The Tritons’ 17-3 run cut the lead to 45-44, and suddenly, it was a nail-biter. But when it came down to the final moments, Michigan’s bigger players took over: Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf showed why they’re so hard to stop inside. UC San Diego wasn’t the only one making mistakes—Michigan committed 14 turnovers, but still found a way to pull it out.
Second-round opponent: Texas A&M
Michigan’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Michigan got tested in this one, no doubt about it. But the Aggies will throw a more physical defense at them, and if they can’t get Goldin and Wolf involved like they did against UCSD, it’ll be a tall task for Michigan. Texas A&M’s defensive prowess might cause a lot of headaches, especially if Michigan keeps giving away easy opportunities.
(11) VCU vs. (6) BYU
Final: BYU beat VCU 80-71
How BYU won: BYU just has a way of catching fire when it matters. A 12-2 run to close the first half and a 13-6 start to the second were enough to keep VCU at arm’s length in this one. The Cougars played their game—fluid offense, good ball movement, crashing the boards. Egor Demin led the charge, and Richie Saunders came up big with 31 combined points from the backcourt. Zeb Jackson did his best to keep VCU in the game, dropping 23, but it wasn’t enough.
Second-round opponent: Wisconsin
BYU’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: BYU’s explosive backcourt is the key. Demin’s ability to hit from deep, especially in clutch moments, will be crucial against a tough Wisconsin squad. But the Badgers have one of the most disciplined teams in the field, so BYU’s high-powered offense will face a serious test. Still, if the Cougars can maintain that balance, they could pull off another win.
(10) Utah State vs. (7) UCLA
Final: UCLA beat Utah State 72-47
How UCLA won: No surprises here: UCLA was the better team in every facet. The Aggies were in deep trouble after shooting 28.6% from the field late in the second half. It was a team effort from UCLA, with six players scoring at least eight points, and Skyy Clark leading the charge with 14. Utah State couldn’t get anything going offensively, and though they kept fighting, the Bruins were simply too much.
Second-round opponent: Tennessee
UCLA’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: UCLA has been one of the most well-rounded teams since mid-January, and against Tennessee, they’ll need to keep that defensive intensity high while relying on a balanced offensive attack. Tennessee will try to overpower them physically, but UCLA has the tools to hang with the Vols. It’s going to be a battle of wills, and the Bruins might just have enough in their tank.
(8) Louisville vs. (9) Creighton
Final: Creighton beat Louisville 89-75
How Creighton won: The Bluejays made sure this one was never in doubt after midway through the first half. Jamiya Neal was on fire, putting up 29 points and hitting crucial shots to keep Louisville at arm’s length. Creighton just has more offensive firepower than Louisville, and it showed. Neal’s shooting performance was so smooth, it felt like a show. Creighton didn’t even have to break much of a sweat after their hot start.
Second-round opponent: Auburn
Creighton’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Creighton’s offense is cooking right now, and if Jamiya Neal stays locked in, the Bluejays will be a tough out for Auburn. But Auburn has a level of talent that Creighton can’t quite match, and the Tigers will be a tough matchup. Still, Creighton has a puncher’s chance—Neal will need to keep that hot hand, and the defense will need to step up to slow down Auburn’s stars.
(9) Georgia vs. (8) Gonzaga
Final: Gonzaga beat Georgia 89-68
How the Zags won: Gonzaga came out with something to prove, and they didn’t disappoint. The Zags drained 12 three-pointers, and Khalif Battle led the charge with a cool 24 points. Gonzaga’s defense also locked Georgia down, forcing 13 turnovers and turning them into 25 points. Georgia had a solid effort from Asa Newell (20 points, 12 rebounds), but it wasn’t nearly enough as Gonzaga just shot the lights out.
Second-round opponent: Houston
Gonzaga’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16: Gonzaga is rolling, and with Khalif Battle shooting the way he is, they’ll be a tough test for Houston. The Zags’ balanced offense and newfound defensive tenacity could be the perfect mix to hang with the Cougars. Ryan Nembhard continues to be a steadying force, and Gonzaga is peaking at just the right time. But Houston has a top-tier defense, and they’ll be looking to stop the Zags from rolling.
With Day 1 now in the books, the stage is set for more Madness. Each of these teams took a step forward, but the road to the Sweet 16 is filled with obstacles. Man oh man, who’s ready to keep the madness rolling?