The brackets are set, the action is underway, and March Madness has officially arrived. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the Round of 64 and what these results mean as we move forward.
Chase Johnston: The New March Madness Hero
Chase Johnston has captured the spotlight in a way that echoes the legendary performances of past tournaments. Remember Jack Gohlke's 32-point game for Oakland in 2024?
Johnston has taken it up a notch. Known for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, with all 64 of his field goals this season being 3-pointers, Johnston shocked everyone by hitting a game-winning layup in High Point's thrilling 12-over-5 upset of Wisconsin.
That layup was not just his first 2-pointer of the year, but also the most memorable shot in High Point basketball history.
While Johnston’s deep shots were crucial, going 4-of-6 from three, the victory was a team effort. Rob Martin, Terry Anderson, and Cam'Ron Fletcher each posted double-doubles, marking a historic achievement for a double-digit seed since 1988. High Point’s collective effort made this comeback one for the books.
Duke's Close Call
Duke is no stranger to making history in the NCAA Tournament, but Thursday’s game was a different story. For the first time, a No. 1 seed trailed a No. 16 by double digits at halftime. Siena took an 11-point lead into the break, and suddenly, the upset watch was on.
This year's Duke squad, despite being the top overall seed, faced challenges with key starters Caleb Evans and Patrick Ngongba sidelined. The Blue Devils struggled offensively, with the Boozer brothers, Cameron and Cayden, along with Isaiah Evans, shouldering the scoring load. Outside of them, the rest of the team managed just 14 of the total 71 points.
Siena ran out of steam in the second half, scoring only 22 points, partly due to Duke’s ramped-up defense. Coach Gerry McNamara played his starters almost the entire game, a strategy that nearly paid off.
In the end, Duke pulled through, avoiding the fate of other top seeds like Virginia and Purdue who have fallen to No. 16s. However, if you picked Duke to win it all, you might be rethinking your bracket.
Nebraska Breaks the Curse
Nebraska finally broke through with its first-ever NCAA Tournament win. The Cornhuskers, a No. 4 seed, ended their long-standing drought by decisively defeating No.
13 Troy. Pryce Sandfort led the charge, lighting it up from three with a 7-of-12 performance.
This blowout showcases Nebraska's potential when their shots are falling. Ranked 12th nationally for the percentage of points from deep, Fred Hoiberg’s squad lives and dies by the three.
On Thursday, they thrived, leaving Troy with no answers. If Nebraska keeps this up, they might just add a few more wins to their tournament history.
Instant Madness
The madness wasted no time in making its presence felt this year. The very first game of the Round of 64 set the tone with Ohio State mounting a comeback from a 15-point halftime deficit to tie it late against TCU. In true Jamie Dixon fashion, TCU executed a classic late-game play, showcasing the toughness and skill Dixon’s teams are known for.
Dixon, often underrated, has taken his teams to the tournament 16 times in 23 years, and this victory sets TCU up for a potential historic run. With a chance to reach their first Sweet 16, TCU’s win was a testament to their resilience and strategic excellence.
As March Madness continues, these stories are just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable tournament. Stay tuned for more upsets, buzzer-beaters, and Cinderella stories.