Round 1 of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament certainly lived up to the name “March Madness.”
College hoops fans were treated to an exciting start to Round 2, as the final 32 teams battled for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Saturday began with No. 5 San Diego State making a Sweet 16 bid in a dominant win over No. 13 Furman. Meanwhile, No. 4 Tennessee snapped No. 5 Duke’s 11-game win streak and No. 8 Arkansas stunned defending champion No. 1 Kansas.
The evening slate was jam-packed with exciting games, starting with 15-seed Princeton taking down 7-seed Missouri. Elsewhere, No. 1 Houston topped No. 9 Auburn, while No. 2 Texas narrowly escaped No. 10 Penn State.
A pair of exciting games closed out the night, as 2-seed UCLA defeated 7-seed Northwestern and No. 1 Alabama downed No. 8 Maryland.
Follow along with the most up-to-date bracket here.
Here are the highlights!
No. 1 Alabama 73, No. 8 Maryland 51
Too tough
The Terrapins were grinding defensively right out of the gate, holding the Tide to just 13 points in 11 minutes. However, Alabama found a rhythm late in the first half, grabbing a 28-23 lead at the break.
The Tide continued to show out as the second half got underway, cruising to an easy double-digit win.
No. 2 UCLA 68, No. 7 Northwestern 63
On the move
Northwestern was first to strike in this one, but UCLA hit the gas early and didn’t let up.
The Bruins carried a 10-point lead, 35-25, into the half.
Star power
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Amari Bailey connected for a huge layup and the Bruins continued to pour it on in the second half.
No quit
The Wildcats pulled within five points before tying things up 45-all midway though the frame.
Then, with 7:35 remaining, Northwestern brought things within three points, 53-50, and was still firing on all cylinders.
Sealing the deal
In the end, UCLA had more left in the tank, picking up a five-point win en route to a Sweet 16 bid.
No. 2 Texas 71, No. 10 Penn State 66
Defensive battle in Des Moines
Right out of the gate, it was a defensive showdown between these two squads.
Texas held a 31-23 lead at halftime, and Longhorns forward Dylan Disu led all players with 12 points and two steals.
On the hunt
Penn State went on a run late in the second half to tie things up and eventually take the lead, 56-55, with 5:12 to play.
Chaos!
Penn State pulled within one point late in the frame before taking the lead with 4:50 to go. Texas regained the lead shortly after and never relinquished the lead.
On to the next!
With the win, Texas snapped a…
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