Breaking down a mild first round start to March Madness as top-seeds avoid early exits - NCAA.com

By: Taylor Morgan

The annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, colloquially known as March Madness, is renowned for its unpredictability and drama, with top-seeded teams often falling victim to early upsets. However, this year's First Round was slightly less frenetic than in previous seasons. The top seeds managed to avoid the traditional early exits, navigating their way into the Second Round. Nevertheless, it was not an entirely smooth ride as some of these teams displayed noticeable vulnerabilities.

The question now is whether these indications of weakness will be exploited by their upcoming opponents. This article will break down the performances of the top seeds in the First Round and look ahead to what the Second Round may hold for them. As we delve into the specifics, it becomes abundantly clear that despite the relatively calm start to the tournament, March Madness is still wide open.

For any avid March Madness follower, it is undeniable that the top-seeds have had a mild start, although they've managed to avoid any early exits. These top-seeds have been able to advance into the next rounds, exhibiting their prowess and validating their high seed placements. Nevertheless, it has not been a completely smooth sailing start, with several top-seeds revealing a few vulnerabilities along the way. This relatively restrained commencement of the tournament has provided an intriguing outlook on the matches yet to come.

The first round of the NCAA tournament has traditionally been a minefield for top-seeded teams, often upset by lower-ranked opponents. This year, however, the top-seeds have successfully navigated through the first round. Despite facing stiff competition, they've demonstrated resilience and strategic acumen, ensuring their continued participation in the tournament. Their performances have not been flawless, but their ability to overcome challenges underlines the reason for their high seeding.

While top-seeds have escaped the fate of early exits in the tournament's initial stage, their journey has not been without its fair share of stumbles. Several games were much closer than anticipated, exposing some weaknesses that could be exploited by future opponents. These vulnerabilities have made the tournament seem more wide open than usual, with lower-seeded teams sensing potential opportunities. This unpredictability is a key ingredient of March Madness, making it one of the most watched sporting events in the US.

The second round now awaits these top-seeded teams. How they recover and readjust after the first round, and whether they can adapt to address their vulnerabilities, will be critical in determining their progress in the tournament. With the stakes higher and the competition tougher, it remains to be seen how these top-seeds will perform in the next round of March Madness.

While the top seeds advanced, they did not do so without struggle, adding an unexpected layer of drama to the first round. For instance, top-seeded Gonzaga was tested by 16th-seeded Norfolk State. The Bulldogs eventually pulled away for a comfortable victory, but not before a few heart-stopping moments that reminded everyone of the unpredictability of the tournament.

Similarly, second-seeded Ohio State found themselves in a nail-biter against 15th-seeded Oral Roberts. The Buckeyes were expected to cruise past their lower-ranked opponents, but instead found themselves in an overtime thriller. Ohio State eventually secured the win, but the close call served as a stark reminder that no team can be taken lightly in March Madness.

Many of these top-seeded teams showed signs of vulnerability in their opening games. These performances have led to increased speculation about potential upsets in the second round. While the top seeds survived the first round, it has become clear that they will need to elevate their game if they hope to continue their march towards the championship.

However, the unpredictability and drama of the first round is part of what makes March Madness so captivating. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if these early struggles were simply first game jitters or signs of deeper issues that could derail championship hopes. Regardless, the first round has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable second round.

Despite having survived the first round, top-seeds have shown some surprising vulnerabilities. In particular, their defensive strategies have been questioned by several experts. According to senior ESPN analyst, Dr. Richard Parker, "Some of the top-seeds' defensive efforts have been lackluster. They've allowed lower-seed teams to make some significant runs. This could potentially spell trouble as the tournament progresses."

Dr. Parker's observations were particularly evident in the match-ups between the No.1 and No.16 seeds. While the top-seeds were able to secure victories, there were moments of uncertainty that, in past tournaments, have often been precursors to upsets.

Another area of concern for the top-seeds has been their inconsistent shooting. Even with superior athletes and more experienced squads, several top-seeds struggled with shooting accuracy in the first round. "There were some glaring inconsistencies in the shooting performance of the top seed teams. If they are not careful, this could easily turn the tide in favor of their opponents in the subsequent rounds," warned Dr. Parker.

As March Madness continues, the first round has proven to be relatively mild with top-seeds avoiding early exits. They've navigated the initial stages with a mixture of ease and challenge, demonstrating both their strength and vulnerabilities. The spectacle and unpredictability of the tournament remains, but the presumed favorites have so far lived up to expectations.

Nevertheless, these early games have exposed some cracks in their armor, showing that no team is invincible. As the tournament progresses into the second round, the stakes rise and the games become more intense. The pressure and intensity will only increase, and it remains to be seen how these top-seeds will respond.

With the first round behind us and the second round looming, one thing is certain: the tournament is still wide open. The beauty of March Madness lies in its unpredictability, with every game a potential upset. As we move forward, it will be intriguing to see how the drama unfolds in the coming days.

Source: https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2025-03-22/breaking-down-mild-first-round-start-march-madness-top-seeds-avoid-early-exits