The NCAA men's tournament rolled on Friday with the first round wrapping up, and it was a day where favorites mostly held their ground. But don't let that fool you-there were still plenty of thrilling finishes and storylines that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Let's dive into the day's biggest winners and losers.
Winner: No. 9 Seeds
Bracket fillers know the No. 8 vs. 9 matchups are a tough call, and this year's tournament proved why. The No. 9 seeds took the spotlight, with Saint Louis, TCU, Utah State, and Iowa all advancing to the round of 32. These games are often a toss-up, and this year, the No. 9s came out swinging.
Loser: Miami (Ohio)
Miami (Ohio) had the chance to prove they deserved more than a No. 11 seed, especially after battling through a play-in game. However, their opportunity slipped away with a 22-point loss to No.
6 Tennessee. The RedHawks couldn't find their footing, and while their season had its highlights, this was a disappointing exit.
Thriller Alert: Kentucky vs. Santa Clara
Amidst a day of expected outcomes and blowouts, the Kentucky-Santa Clara clash was a reminder of why we love March Madness. Kentucky narrowly escaped an upset with an 89-84 victory, but not before delivering heart-stopping drama. Two last-second three-pointers, including a clutch, game-tying bank shot by Kentucky's Otega Oweh, sent the game into overtime and left fans buzzing.
As the tournament heats up, keep your eyes peeled for more of these unforgettable moments.