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USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness winners, losers: McNeese State adds to ACC men's NCAA tournament misery
Hear this story Cinderella's slipper needs a size adjustment. It doesn't fit quite right. The first day of the first round of men's March Madness came and went with a modest amount of madness. We got the 12-seed beating a 5-seed, that we've come to expect, and an 11-seed shoving aside a 6-seed. For the most part, though, the favorites held serve. Perhaps a modest Thursday will yield to a wild and wooly Friday filled with upsets. Here are the winners and losers after Thursday's first-round action: Winners Conservative bracket pickers If you picked a lot of chalk for Thursday's games, you're probably sitting pretty good in your respective bracket pool. No day of first-round games is complete without the emergence of at least a few upsets, but if you strictly picked the better-seeded team, you would've gone 12 of 16 for Thursday's games, and that's not a bad place to be entering Friday. Two upsets – No. 9 Creighton and No. 10 Arkansas won – were upsets in name only. Overall, good day to have chalk. Gonzaga If you turned on the Georgia-Gonzaga game a few minutes late, you missed everything you needed to see. Gonzaga raced to a 13-0 lead before the first media timeout. Game over. Mark Few added polish to his résumé as the nation's best active coach without a national championship. Gonzaga has advanced to at least the second round in each of the past 16 NCAA Tournaments, while becoming a model of consistency under Few's watch. Will Wade Just a few years ago, the FBI sharks chomped up Wade's LSU tenure, and he was cast into purgatory, from which he emerged at a school, McNeese State, that owned no NCAA Tournament victories. Wade's McNeese achievements reiterate that this guy can coach. No. 12 McNeese upended No. 5 Clemson for its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. Wade is a hot commodity. He's reportedly in line to become North Carolina State's coach after McNeese exits the tournament. Wade did not deny that report during a postgame interview on the Field of 68 podcast. 'Whatever else is happening, that's of no distraction to us,' Wade said after the victory. No need for FBI sleuthing to reveal that Wade rebuilt his career. Ben McCollum Speaking of hot commodities, is there a hotter coach than Drake's Ben McCollum? Seriously, if he's not coaching candidate No. 1 for Iowa, then something's off in the water in Iowa City. McCollum won four Division II national championships throughout 15 successful seasons at Northwest Missouri State. In his first season at Drake, he's got his No. 11 Bulldogs into the second round after a polished performance against Missouri. Excluding 'First Four' results, this marks Drake's first NCAA win since 1971. Four Drake starters played for McCollum last season at Northwest Missouri State. Those players keep proving they belong at the Division I level. That's especially true of Bennett Stirtz. One of the nation's best players, he scored 21 points while roasting Missouri. And if Iowa wants McCollum, surely it shouldn't mind waiting until this NCAA ride ends – even if it might not end in the second round. Drake is good enough to reach the Sweet 16. Losers Clemson Woof. What was that performance? A dud to trump all duds, that's what that was. Clemson coach Brad Brownell spent the past several weeks prominently featured on hot boards suggesting him for other jobs. He stayed put and reportedly struck a contract extension with Clemson, then watched as his team piled up bricks in a 69-67 loss to No. 12 McNeese that, for most of the game, wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Clemson's Elite Eight journey last season proved the exception, not the rule. The ACC If Clemson was bad, Louisville might have been worse. The Cardinals looked lost in an 89-75 loss to No. 9 Creighton despite playing the game 80 miles from campus, in Lexington. Creighton's NCAA Tournament veterans Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner efficiently combined for 36 points, and Arizona State transfer Jamiya Neal went off for 29. The thumping Creighton laid on Louisville ought to serve as a wake-up call for No. 1 Auburn. The Bluejays are plenty talented and experienced enough to pull off a second-round upset. Meanwhile, the ACC limps forward with just two teams left standing, No. 1 Duke and No. 11 North Carolina, after the Clemson and Louisville flops. The SEC After an NCAA record 14 bids, 'it just means more' NCAA Tournament losses for the SEC, apparently. The SEC earned acclaim during the regular season for delivering the best single-season performance ever by a conference, but March Madness has a way of humbling even the mightiest among us. To be clear, this wasn't an awful day for the SEC. No. 1 Auburn, No. 2 Tennessee and No. 4 Texas A&M won without need for hijinks. No. 10 Arkansas toppled Kansas in one of the day's more interesting games. But the SEC has lost three teams, marking it down to 11 left standing. No. 11 Texas bid farewell by giving up a late 10-point lead in a 'First Four' loss to Xavier. No. 9 Georgia forgot to show up in a blowout loss to Gonzaga. And No. 6 Missouri looked overmatched throughout much of its loss to Drake. Not a disaster, but not a great start for the SEC. Missouri The trouble with Missouri basketball isn't making the postseason. The trouble with Missouri basketball is doing something when it reaches the postseason. The Tigers boast a rich history of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, but they've never made a Final Four – and that streak will continue after Drake flexed its usual defensive toughness and rebounding clout in a 67-57 win that counted as an upset but felt like an expected result. Drake was the better team entering the tournament, and that became unmistakable once the game started. Six of Missouri's last seven NCAA Tournament appearances ended in the first round. The one time Missouri won its first-round game during that stretch, it lost to No. 15 Princeton in the second round. Frankly, this game became more of the same old story for Missouri. Kentucky fans Sorry, Big Blue Nation, but John Calipari won't make this breakup easy on you. Calipari's Razorbacks advanced to the second round, and while that's not an achievement worthy of a parade – considering Arkansas' talent level, it should make the second round – it puts extra pressure on first-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope. The third-seeded Wildcats will play Troy on Friday. UK fans were all too delighted to see Calipari leave for another job after last year's first-round exit continued a streak of March Madness disappointments. But then Calipari beat Kentucky in his return to Rupp Arena in February, and now he's surging into a second-round game against No. 2 St. John's. He's making Kentucky fans sweat this breakup. Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness winners, losers: \nMcNeese State adds to ACC men's NCAA tournament misery
March Madness winners, losers: McNeese State adds to ACC men's NCAA tournament misery Show Caption Hide Caption McNeese State, Amir Khan, advance to the Round of 32 While McNeese has taken down Clemson for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history, student manager Amir "Aura" Khan continues to steal the show. Sports Seriously Cinderella's slipper needs a size adjustment. It doesn't fit quite right. The first day of the first round of men's March Madness came and went with a modest amount of madness. We got the 12-seed beating a 5-seed, that we've come to expect, and an 11-seed shoving aside a 6-seed. For the most part, though, the favorites held serve. Perhaps a modest Thursday will yield to a wild and wooly Friday filled with upsets. Here are the winners and losers after Thursday's first-round action: Winners Conservative bracket pickers If you picked a lot of chalk for Thursday's games, you're probably sitting pretty good in your respective bracket pool. No day of first-round games is complete without the emergence of at least a few upsets, but if you strictly picked the better-seeded team, you would've gone 12 of 16 for Thursday's games, and that's not a bad place to be entering Friday. Two upsets – No. 9 Creighton and No. 10 Arkansas won – were upsets in name only. Overall, good day to have chalk. Gonzaga If you turned on the Georgia-Gonzaga game a few minutes late, you missed everything you needed to see. Gonzaga raced to a 13-0 lead before the first media timeout. Game over. Mark Few added polish to his résumé as the nation's best active coach without a national championship. Gonzaga has advanced to at least the second round in each of the past 16 NCAA Tournaments, while becoming a model of consistency under Few's watch. Will Wade Just a few years ago, the FBI sharks chomped up Wade's LSU tenure, and he was cast into purgatory, from which he emerged at a school, McNeese State, that owned no NCAA Tournament victories. Wade's McNeese achievements reiterate that this guy can coach. No. 12 McNeese upended No. 5 Clemson for its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. Wade is a hot commodity. He's reportedly in line to become North Carolina State's coach after McNeese exits the tournament. Wade did not deny that report during a postgame interview on the Field of 68 podcast. 'Whatever else is happening, that's of no distraction to us,' Wade said after the victory. No need for FBI sleuthing to reveal that Wade rebuilt his career. Ben McCollum Speaking of hot commodities, is there a hotter coach than Drake's Ben McCollum? Seriously, if he's not coaching candidate No. 1 for Iowa, then something's off in the water in Iowa City. McCollum won four Division II national championships throughout 15 successful seasons at Northwest Missouri State. In his first season at Drake, he's got his No. 11 Bulldogs into the second round after a polished performance against Missouri. Excluding 'First Four' results, this marks Drake's first NCAA win since 1971. Four Drake starters played for McCollum last season at Northwest Missouri State. Those players keep proving they belong at the Division I level. That's especially true of Bennett Stirtz. One of the nation's best players, he scored 21 points while roasting Missouri. And if Iowa wants McCollum, surely it shouldn't mind waiting until this NCAA ride ends – even if it might not end in the second round. Drake is good enough to reach the Sweet 16. Losers Clemson Woof. What was that performance? A dud to trump all duds, that's what that was. Clemson coach Brad Brownell spent the past several weeks prominently featured on hot boards suggesting him for other jobs. He stayed put and reportedly struck a contract extension with Clemson, then watched as his team piled up bricks in a 69-67 loss to No. 12 McNeese that, for most of the game, wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Clemson's Elite Eight journey last season proved the exception, not the rule. The ACC If Clemson was bad, Louisville might have been worse. The Cardinals looked lost in an 89-75 loss to No. 9 Creighton despite playing the game 80 miles from campus, in Lexington. Creighton's NCAA Tournament veterans Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner efficiently combined for 36 points, and Arizona State transfer Jamiya Neal went off for 29. The thumping Creighton laid on Louisville ought to serve as a wake-up call for No. 1 Auburn. The Bluejays are plenty talented and experienced enough to pull off a second-round upset. Meanwhile, the ACC limps forward with just two teams left standing, No. 1 Duke and No. 11 North Carolina, after the Clemson and Louisville flops. The SEC After an NCAA record 14 bids, 'it just means more' NCAA Tournament losses for the SEC, apparently. The SEC earned acclaim during the regular season for delivering the best single-season performance ever by a conference, but March Madness has a way of humbling even the mightiest among us. To be clear, this wasn't an awful day for the SEC. No. 1 Auburn, No. 2 Tennessee and No. 4 Texas A&M won without need for hijinks. No. 10 Arkansas toppled Kansas in one of the day's more interesting games. But the SEC has lost three teams, marking it down to 11 left standing. No. 11 Texas bid farewell by giving up a late 10-point lead in a 'First Four' loss to Xavier. No. 9 Georgia forgot to show up in a blowout loss to Gonzaga. And No. 6 Missouri looked overmatched throughout much of its loss to Drake. Not a disaster, but not a great start for the SEC. Missouri The trouble with Missouri basketball isn't making the postseason. The trouble with Missouri basketball is doing something when it reaches the postseason. The Tigers boast a rich history of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, but they've never made a Final Four – and that streak will continue after Drake flexed its usual defensive toughness and rebounding clout in a 67-57 win that counted as an upset but felt like an expected result. Drake was the better team entering the tournament, and that became unmistakable once the game started. Six of Missouri's last seven NCAA Tournament appearances ended in the first round. The one time Missouri won its first-round game during that stretch, it lost to No. 15 Princeton in the second round. Frankly, this game became more of the same old story for Missouri. Kentucky fans Sorry, Big Blue Nation, but John Calipari won't make this breakup easy on you. Calipari's Razorbacks advanced to the second round, and while that's not an achievement worthy of a parade – considering Arkansas' talent level, it should make the second round – it puts extra pressure on first-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope. The third-seeded Wildcats will play Troy on Friday. UK fans were all too delighted to see Calipari leave for another job after last year's first-round exit continued a streak of March Madness disappointments. But then Calipari beat Kentucky in his return to Rupp Arena in February, and now he's surging into a second-round game against No. 2 St. John's. He's making Kentucky fans sweat this breakup. Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia fans thrilled after UGA basketball makes March Madness for first time in a decade
Georgia Bulldogs basketball fans are thrilled after Georgia ended their NCAA Tournament drought. The Bulldogs (20-12, 8-10 SEC) are the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region of the bracket and will play the No. 8-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-8, 14-4 West Coast) on Thursday in Wichita, Kansas. Georgia had not made the NCAA Tournament since 2015. The Bulldogs are one of 14 SEC teams (new NCAA record) to make March Madness. Georgia was pretty confident in their NCAA Tournament hopes after a recent four-game winning streak. Still, you never know what the selection committee will do, so it was a relief to many UGA fans when they finally heard their name called in the bracket reveal. "And in that eight-nine game, they (Gonzaga) will face a Georgia Bulldogs squad that took down Florida, Kentucky and St. John's," said Adam Zucker of CBS. "As they (Georgia) go for their first tournament win since 2002." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgia Basketball (@ugabasketball) View this post on Instagram A post shared by UGA Wire (@ugawire) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgia Basketball (@ugabasketball) The Midwest Region is set🔥 #MarchMadness — On3 (@On3sports) March 16, 2025 The Georgia-Gonzaga winner will play the winner between Houston and SIU Edwardsville in the round of 32. "The Georgia Bulldogs had the fourth-longest NCAA Tournament drought among high-major teams, trailing only DePaul, Boston College, and Stanford," said Jordan Hill of 247Sports via social media. Of course, now this drought is over. However, UGA has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2002. "DAWGS Let's Go Dancing!!!" said Silas Demary Sr on social media. "My hopes are irrationally high!" said former Georgia tight end Arthur Lynch via social media. "There's nothing more fun than partaking in the delusional Dawgs fan mania." As a fan it is nice to just be in March Madness, but we know the players and coaches will want to make noise in the NCAA Tournament. 📍 THEY'RE 9 @UGABasketball vs. No. 8 GonzagaThurs., March 20 • Wichita (Midwest Region)@MarchMadnessMBB x #ItJustMeansMore — Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 16, 2025 This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia basketball fans hyped up after making NCAA Tournament
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia fans thrilled after UGA basketball makes March Madness for first time in a decade
Georgia fans thrilled after UGA basketball makes March Madness for first time in a decade Georgia Bulldogs basketball fans are thrilled after Georgia ended their NCAA Tournament drought. The Bulldogs (20-12, 8-10 SEC) are the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region of the bracket and will play the No. 8-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-8, 14-4 West Coast) on Thursday in Wichita, Kansas. Georgia had not made the NCAA Tournament since 2015. The Bulldogs are one of 14 SEC teams (new NCAA record) to make March Madness. Georgia was pretty confident in their NCAA Tournament hopes after a recent four-game winning streak. Still, you never know what the selection committee will do, so it was a relief to many UGA fans when they finally heard their name called in the bracket reveal. "And in that eight-nine game, they (Gonzaga) will face a Georgia Bulldogs squad that took down Florida, Kentucky and St. John's," said Adam Zucker of CBS. "As they (Georgia) go for their first tournament win since 2002." Georgia basketball is dancing again! Gonzaga will be a challenging foe The moment Georgia made March Madness Looking at the full Midwest Region The Georgia-Gonzaga winner will play the winner between Houston and SIU Edwardsville in the round of 32. The drought is over! "The Georgia Bulldogs had the fourth-longest NCAA Tournament drought among high-major teams, trailing only DePaul, Boston College, and Stanford," said Jordan Hill of 247Sports via social media. Of course, now this drought is over. However, UGA has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2002. "DAWGS Let's Go Dancing!!!" said Silas Demary Sr on social media. Former Georgia tight end is hyped "My hopes are irrationally high!" said former Georgia tight end Arthur Lynch via social media. "There's nothing more fun than partaking in the delusional Dawgs fan mania." As a fan it is nice to just be in March Madness, but we know the players and coaches will want to make noise in the NCAA Tournament. SEC reacts after Georgia makes March Madness
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia basketball bracketology ahead of NCAA Tournament bracket reveal
Georgia basketball bracketology ahead of NCAA Tournament bracket reveal The Georgia Bulldogs are projected to safely make the NCAA Tournament despite having a losing record in SEC play. Georgia basketball is projected to be the No. 9 seed in ESPN's latest bracketology. A record-setting 13 SEC teams are projected to make the SEC Tournament. The SEC's strength is a big reason why Georgia (20-12, 8-10 SEC) is an NCAA Tournament lock. The Bulldogs ended their regular season on a four-game winning streak to give a major boost to their March Madness hopes. Georgia lost to Oklahoma in the first-round of the SEC Tournament, so the Bulldogs will be looking to regain their form in the NCAA Tournament. ESPN predicts that Georgia will play the No. 8 seed Memphis Tigers (28-5, 16-2) in the Wichita region. The winner of the Georgia-Memphis game would go on to play the winner of No. 1 Houston versus No. 16 SIU Edwardsville if things go according to ESPN's bracketology. Similar to ESPN, USA TODAY Sports has Georgia as a No. 9 seed and predicts that the Bulldogs would play the projected No. 8 seed, Gonzaga. The Georgia-Gonzaga winner would also likely play No. 1 Houston. Other potential opponents for Georgia include other projected No. 8 seed like the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Marquette Golden Eagles, Creighton Bluejays and Connecticut Huskies. "I feel a bit of an opportunity right around the corner," said Georgia basketball coach Mike White ahead of the NCAA Tournament. "I'm excited for Sunday, and we'll be prepared to go to battle." Selection Sunday, which reveals the NCAA Tournament bracket, will be televised on CBS at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16.
