The NCAA Tournament has officially begun with thrilling matchups, incredible individual performances, and surprising upsets. Oakland guard Jack Gohlke shocked the basketball world by scoring 32 points in a stunning victory over powerhouse Kentucky. Jermaine Couisnard of Oregon had a career night, putting up 40 points to lead his team past South Carolina.
Illinois wing Marcus Domask recorded a rare triple-double in the Illini’s win over Morehead State, while Gonzaga’s Anton Watson fell just one assist short of a triple-double in a victory over McNeese. Kansas star Hunter Dickinson dominated with a 20-point, 19-rebound performance in a win over Oakland.
In other games, Tennessee’s Rick Barnes set up a revenge matchup against Texas with a win over Saint Peter’s, while Washington State’s Kyle Smith led his team to their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2007. Unfortunately, teams like Kentucky, Mississippi State, and South Carolina were among the losers on Thursday.
On the winning side, Duquesne, Michigan State, Oregon, and Washington State emerged victorious. The Pac-12 conference had a strong showing as Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State all secured wins, improving the conference’s record to 4-0 in the tournament.
Notable coach Dan Monson of Long Beach State handled a difficult situation with grace and dignity after a tough loss in the first round. As the tournament continues, fans can expect more excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments on the road to the championship. Stay tuned to White Houser for all the latest updates on the NCAA Tournament action.
“Zombie enthusiast. Subtly charming travel practitioner. Webaholic. Internet expert.”