Day 1 doesn't disappoint with buzzer beaters, bracket busters and other March Madness
Production was down in offices around the country Thursday as March Madness kicked off. For the SEC, it was a perfect first day. Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Florida all won their first-round contests to move on to the round of 32. Technically, No. 9-seed Alabama beating No. 8-seed Virginia Tech was an upset, but it hardly felt like one.
Day 1 has already delivered one bracket buster in the form of No. 13-seed Buffalo knocking off No. 4-seed Arizona 89-68. It was a game the Bulls led closely at the half (40-38) and then widened in the second half. With the Wildcats seeding and reputation, it’s safe to say quite a few brackets are in trouble.
I picked Arizona for the Final 4.
My 3 children each picked Buffalo. Because they thought buffalos were cool.
I hate March.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) March 16, 2018
The Pac-12 had a very rough day overall, going 0-3.
After day 1 of #MarchMadness
SEC: 4-0
Big Ten: 2-0
Big XII: 2-1
ACC: 2-3
Pac-12: 0-3 👋Next up: Texas A&M vs Providence#BTHOprovidence
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) March 16, 2018
The first big upset of the day came courtesy of No. 11-seed Loyola-Chicago, which knocked off No. 6-seed Miami. Not only was it a classic March Madness upset, but it was also a buzzer beater, as seen below. The Ramblers were down 62-61, but Donte Ingram delivered a last-second three-pointer for the win.
Loyola Chicago with the SHOT OF THE DAY. #MarchMadness
🎥: @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/ohdG01OIxa
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 15, 2018
Later, No. 6-seed Houston avoided No. 11-seed San Diego State’s upset bid thanks to a later bucket from Rob Gray.
WOW. 😱😱😱
ROB GRAY gives Houston the lead & hits a new career-high with 39 PTS! pic.twitter.com/LPtUCUXY6n
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 16, 2018