March 21, 2025, 4:26am (ET)
After an exciting first day in the NCAA Tournament, 32 more teams will be active on Friday.
We have a 12-hour hoop in the store, including the NCAA tournament debut of Duke Superstar Cooper Flag, who returned from an ankle injury that locked him out of two games in the ACC tournament. And can North Carolina maintain momentum from that big first four wins in Ole Miss chaos?
Whether you’re watching all of your 16th first round game or refreshing your score page, consider a guide to all the key highlights and results, along with reactions and on-site reports from ESPN writers across the country.
Jump: Full Schedule | Live Update | Results and Takeaway
No. 16 Norfolk State vs. No. 1 Florida, 6:50 PM TNT
No. 14 Troy vs. No. 3 Kentucky, 7:10pm (CBS)
No. 10 New Mexico vs. No. 7 Marquette, 7:25pm (TBS)
No. 13 Akron vs. No. 4 Arizona, 7:35pm (TRUTV)
No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 UConn, 9:25pm (TNT)
No. 11 Xavier vs. No. 6 Illinois, 9:45pm (CBS)
No. 15 Bryant vs. No. 2 Michigan, 10pm (TBS)
No. 12 Liberty vs. No. 5 Oregon, 10:10pm (TRUTV)
Results of the first day
The most recent game listed first.
Final: Colorado beat Memphis 78-70
How Colorado won: Another five-seeded dust in the first round, helping Colorado make it happen against Penny Hardaway’s Memphis. The Tigers controlled the first half for a 36-31 lead, with Dyne Dijja leading, and PJ Haggerty (the country’s third goal scorer) struggled to find the bottom of the net. However, Evans ignited a season-high 23 points in the second half and a 3-pointer pair of songs that helped the Rams extend their lead to 10 points in the final minutes. Haggerty finished with 18 points in 23 seven shots, but six of those points came in the final minute. At that point, CSU punched the ticket in the second round. – Brady Henderson
Final: Iowa defeated Lipscomb 82-55
How Iowa won: Milwaukee remains a favorite place for manager TJ Otzelberger, who grew up in the city in Iowa and led the Cyclone to Sweet 16 here in 2022. The Cyclone kept the ball away from top bison scorer Jacob Ognasevic until the game was out of reach, leading the ball over 20 points in the final 13:32. The difference from Friday three years ago was the attack by ISU, mainly behind Milan Mamacolic in the Milwaukee region, who had his first 20-point game since November. ISU also regained point guard Tamin Lipsy, who came back from a gro caliber injury and had 10 points and four assists. -Adam Rittenberg
Final: Alabama beats Robert Morris 90-81
How Alabama Won: Robert Morris Forward and Cleveland native Amarion Dickerson brought memorable performances in his hometown, but the colonists ran through the stretch. Dickerson scored a game-high 25 points, playing the Colonials’ first lead in a 7:44 driving and one basket, urging the packed Rocket Arena crowd to gush with “Amarion” and “Robert Morris” chants. Alabama eventually drew a foul and softened the game by reaching the line. Crimson Tide also got a late boost from forward Grant Nelson, who sat 31 minutes and 13 seconds after injury to his left knee in last week’s SEC tournament. Alabama’s major rebounder (7.6 per game) Nelson scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in a limited amount. When he returned to the bench, the Crimson Tide got the game 82-71. – Jake Trotter
Final: Baylor beat Mississippi State 75-72
How Baylor Won: Baylor’s comfortable 11-point lead turned the clock into nail bitters in the final minute just over eight minutes, but VJ Edgecombe drained two important free throws. Scott Drew’s fifth consecutive NCAA tournament, winning a first-round victory, but the Bears have not made their second weekend since winning it all in 2021.
