Males's March Insanity stay tracker: Updates from Thursday's first spherical – ESPN

Greater than 130 days have handed because the 2025-26 males’s faculty basketball season tipped. It has been a season of captivating storylines, from the dominance of the freshman class to Miami (Ohio)‘s good regular-season run — and the primary spherical of the NCAA match has stored the bar excessive.
ESPN reporters are on-site, monitoring all of the Insanity in real-time. Observe alongside as they shut out the ultimate wave of Thursday’s 16 tipoffs.
Bounce to: Post-game takeaways

How Illinois received: The Illini dominated all phases of this win. Although 5 Illini completed in double figures, freshman David Mirkovic was the star, main all scorers with 28 factors, 17 rebounds and three assists. Penn had no solutions to Mirkovic and Illinois’ measurement. The Illini had 44 factors within the paint, pulled down 20 offensive boards and shot 50% from the sphere. Add of their 15 3s, and there was merely nothing Illinois did not do effectively. The Illini’s 105 factors have been essentially the most by any staff on the match’s opening day and their highest output since scoring 113 in every of their first two video games of the season. — David Hale
How Michigan received: Howard gave Michigan a run for its cash early, holding the sport inside 4 factors going into halftime. However popping out of it, the Wolverines distanced themselves by flexing their offensive muscle tissues to drag away for his or her thirty second win of the season — second most in program historical past (most have been 33 in 2017-18). The Wolverines shot 67.3% to the Bison’s 42.6%. Michigan additionally held the sting on the glass (35-23), led by ahead Morez Johnson Jr., who turned the fifth participant up to now 60 years with 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 100% FG (8 for 8) in an NCAA match sport. Howard’s 10 first-half 3s stored the Bison within the sport as they seemed for his or her second NCAA match win, however they adopted that up with simply 4 (4 of 13) within the second half. — Alaina Getzenberg
How Texas received: AJ Dybantsa did the whole lot he might to forestall BYU from being part of a second upset on the Moda Middle on Thursday. He poured in 35 factors, changing into the primary freshman with that many in his NCAA match debut. He is the second freshman with a 35-point sport within the NCAA match, together with De’Aaron Fox (39 factors) within the 2017 Candy 16 in opposition to UCLA. But it surely wasn’t sufficient. Texas managed the momentum from the soar, as BYU led for simply 22 seconds. When the Cougars have been on the verge of staging a comeback, Longhorns guard Jordan Pope buried a clutch 3-pointer from the nook to increase his staff’s result in 75-68 with 1:29 to go. The Longhorns obtained a robust efficiency from large man Matas Vokietaitis, who posted 23 factors and 16 rebounds. Tramon Mark added 16 factors. — Ryan McFadden
How Texas A&M received: Affected by an sickness and Texas A&M’s swarming protection, St. Mary’s main scorer, Paulius Murauskas, was held to a season-low 4 factors and performed simply 23 minutes off the bench. The Aggies’ protection was stifling: It recorded 12 steals, compelled the Gaels to show the ball over a season-high 18 instances and held them to only 26 factors within the first half — their second-lowest output of the season. TAMU dominated within the paint, outscoring St. Mary’s 28-12 as ahead Rashaun Agee led all scorers with 22 factors. Agee and Aggie guard Rubén Dominguez every hit three 3-pointers. — Brooke Pryor
How VCU received: The Rams completed a ridiculous comeback, erasing a 19-point second-half deficit to knock off North Carolina in additional time. Terrence Hill Jr. was electrical, connecting on 5 of VCU’s final six baskets, together with a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in further time that successfully sealed the sport. Hill had 34 factors, 5 assists and 5 boards. It was an epic collapse for the Tar Heels, who missed their closing 9 pictures, botched a pair of vital free throws in additional time and, after main by 19 with 14:58 to play, linked on simply seven of 25 pictures. Per ESPN Analysis, the Rams’ 19-point comeback is tied for the most important within the spherical of 64 because the match expanded in 1985 — together with South Alabama in opposition to Alabama in 1989. — David Hale
How Michigan State received: North Dakota State took an 8-5 lead early within the first half in opposition to Michigan State. That was the final time the Bisons had the sting because the Spartans received their first sport of their twenty eighth NCAA match look below Tom Izzo (third most in Division I since 1995-96, per ESPN Analysis). Michigan State transformed 58.9% of its subject objectives (the staff’s greatest in an NCAA match sport since 1986) and made 50% of its 3s, along with going 16-of-18 from the road. The Spartans capitalized on the Bison struggling from 3 (6-of-25) with 31 defensive rebounds to their 4 offensive rebounds. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. additionally turned the sixth completely different Michigan State participant up to now 60 years to file not less than 10 assists in an NCAA match sport, becoming a member of a prestigious record of Magic Johnson, Cassius Winston, Draymond Inexperienced, Mateen Cleaves and Denzel Valentine. — Alaina Getzenberg
Michigan State’s second-round opponent: Louisville
How the Spartans can advance to the Candy 16: Michigan State’s largest edge in opposition to North Dakota State was its dominant frontcourt, with Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and Cam Ward combining for 62 factors and 24 rebounds. That will even be the place the Spartans might want to win in opposition to Louisville. Regardless of having loads of measurement and depth up entrance, the Cardinals struggled on the defensive glass in opposition to South Florida, and Michigan State is likely one of the top-10 offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The Spartans ought to have the ability to have success in that space in opposition to the Cardinals. Jeremy Fears Jr. would be the key — he did not rating the ball effectively in opposition to North Dakota State and turned it over a season-high 4 instances, however he’ll have the ability to get downhill and put strain on Louisville. — Jeff Borzello
How Arkansas received: The victory marked the primary time the Razorbacks scored 90-plus factors in an NCAA match sport since 1999. (They beat Siena 94-80 within the first spherical.) They jumped to a 17-point lead within the first 9 minutes and by no means seemed again. SEC Participant of the Yr Darius Acuff Jr. was one among 5 Arkansas gamers to attain in double figures, ending with 24 factors, seven assists and one steal. Meleek Thomas totaled 21 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists, making him and Acuff the primary freshman teammates with 50 factors and 5 assists every in an NCAA match sport. Thomas was additionally efficient on protection, recording a block and two steals. Despite the fact that the Razorbacks shot 19% from the 3-point line, they dominated within the inside, outscoring Hawai’i 64-40 within the paint. Arkansas generated 23 fast-break factors and 26 assists. — Ryan McFadden
Arkansas’ second-round opponent: Excessive Level
How Arkansas can advance to the Candy 16: Arkansas needs to run, and it needs a high-scoring sport. Excessive Level shall be prepared to play into that hand, and it is onerous to see how that is not a plus for John Calipari’s staff. The Razorbacks do not give the ball away since they’ve two high-level playmakers in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, and their frontcourt is considerably extra cellular and athletic than Wisconsin’s bigs. The turnover battle shall be key; Excessive Level ranks within the prime 5 in defensive turnover share, however Arkansas protects the ball higher than any staff within the nation. If Acuff and Thomas handle the ball and the Razorbacks can dominate the paint like they’ve carried out numerous instances this season, Excessive Level doubtless will not have a solution defensively. Defensively, they cannot let Chase Johnston get scorching — from wherever on the ground. — Jeff Borzello
How Vanderbilt received: There will not be any extra aura this March Insanity — not less than not from viral McNeese State supervisor Amir Khan. The 12-seed Cowboys began scorching and constructed an 11-point lead early within the first half, however Vanderbilt held on and rallied to take a three-point lead into halftime with a dominant presence within the put up. The Commodores completed the sport outscoring McNeese 34-22 within the paint, thanks largely to a 6-for-6 effort from large man Devin McGlockton. Vanderbilt’s measurement benefit additionally supplied an edge on the glass, outrebounding the Cowboys 37-34, together with 28-18 in defensive boards. Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner led all scorers with 25 factors — 17 within the second half — and three 3-pointers. McNeese stored tempo with Vanderbilt, recording 16 fast-break factors and 9 steals, however it wasn’t sufficient to drag off the upset. — Brooke Pryor
Vanderbilt’s second-round opponent: Nebraska
How the Commodores can advance to the Candy 16: Vanderbilt wants Tyler Tanner to excel and to restrict Nebraska’s shooters with a purpose to advance. The Commodores have been a distinct staff within the second half in opposition to McNeese on Thursday when Tanner, a projected first-round NBA draft choose, bought extra snug in opposition to the strain from one among America’s greatest defensive groups. He scored 17 of his game-high 26 factors after halftime. General this season, Vanderbilt is 13-3 when the 6-foot guard scores not less than 20 factors. Nebraska, which had the perfect protection in Large Ten play this season, will do all it may well to frustrate him. It isn’t on him alone, although. The Commodores should do their greatest to close down the Cornhuskers on the 3-point line: They’ve made 34 3-pointers of their final three video games. — Myron Medcalf
How Duke received: No. 1 total seed Duke advances to the spherical of 32. That should not come as a lot of a shock, however Siena actually did all it might to make issues attention-grabbing, taking the Blue Devils to the restrict earlier than falling 71-65. The Saints led by 11 on the half and did not give up the lead till the 5:08 mark, however their starters performed with no substitution till the ultimate 90 seconds of motion. And by late within the second half, it confirmed. Siena shot simply 8-of-34 from the ground over the ultimate 20 minutes, permitting the Blue Devils to claw their means again into the sport. Cameron Boozer had 22 factors and 13 boards to steer the Blue Devils, whereas his brother Cayden added 19. — David Hale
Duke’s second-round opponent: TCU
How the Blue Devils can advance to the Candy 16: Nicely, it will assist in the event that they confirmed up just like the staff that dominated within the second half in opposition to Siena — and never the model that performed within the first half, once they have been down by double digits. Duke’s offensive rhythm was clearly disrupted with out Caleb Foster, its greatest 3-point shooter (40.2%), and the Blue Devils’ protection was weaker than anticipated with Patrick Ngongba II out resulting from harm, too. Within the second half, nonetheless, they turned to a zone and performed with a distinct defensive depth. They’re going to advance if they’ve the identical mojo in opposition to TCU. Isaiah Evans was a headache for Siena on quick breaks and off-the-dribble after halftime; Duke has to do extra to place him able to affect the sport. And though it was ugly, Cameron Boozer was 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Good protection, Evans making performs and Boozer being Boozer are the keys to Duke shifting on. — Myron Medcalf
How Excessive Level received: Wisconsin jumped out to a 15-5 lead over Excessive Level inside 5 minutes — however the Panthers did not let that final lengthy. They put collectively a 7-0 run to chop the result in 15-12 and performed the Badgers shut till coming into the half down solely two factors. Wisconsin constructed one other eight-point lead with 7:08 to play, however Excessive Level outscored the Badgers 18-12 to shut out this system’s first NCAA match win on a go-ahead layup from Chase Johnston — his first 2-point subject aim of the season. Johnson entered the sport 0-for-4 from 2-point vary, incomes most of his buckets from past the arc on 64-of-132 capturing from the three on the season. Three Panthers gamers completed with double-doubles: Rob Martin (23 factors, 10 assists); Terry Anderson (15 factors, 11 rebounds); and Cam’Ron Fletcher (14 factors, 11 rebounds). — ESPN Employees
Excessive Level’s second-round opponent: Arkansas
How the Panthers can advance to the Candy 16: Excessive Level has received 23 of its previous 24 video games and simply beat Wisconsin whereas taking part in a run-and-gun up-tempo affair — do not depend the Panthers out in opposition to Arkansas. They will not be afraid of the tempo battle, though they will should discover a solution to gradual Darius Acuff Jr. and backcourt associate Meleek Thomas. Each are troublesome to maintain from attending to their spots, and Excessive Level simply allowed Nick Boyd and John Blackwell to mix for 49 factors within the win over the Badgers. The place Excessive Level might have some success is on the different finish of the ground. Arkansas is stable defensively, however liable to off ball and rotation lapses, and Excessive Level will look to stand up and down the ground and take 3s. A repeat 15-for-40 3-point capturing effort could be good, too. — Jeff Borzello
How Louisville received: Isaac McKneely led the best way for the Cardinals, regardless of a late comeback push by South Florida to show what had as soon as been a 23-point result in inside single digits within the closing 5 minutes. However the Bulls have been utlimately unable to compete with the Cardinals’ 3-pointers, with star guard Wes Enis going 0-for-11 from 3 — the second-most missed 3-point subject aim makes an attempt in an NCAA match sport because the line was launched in 1987 (Wofford’s Fletcher Magee, 2019, was 0-for-12), per ESPN Analysis.
McKneely was 7-of-10 from past the arc — tied for many 3s made by a Louisville participant in an NCAA match sport (with Taquan Dean in 2005), per ESPN Analysis. He scored a team-high 23 factors, simply his second 20-point sport this season. General, Pat Kelsey’s staff completed 13-for-25 (52%) from 3, in comparison with the Bulls’ 5-for-33 effort (15.2%). — Alaina Getzenberg
Louisville’s second-round opponent: Michigan State
How the Cardinals can advance to the Candy 16: Regardless of main South Florida by 23 factors earlier than a late surge by the Bulls made the ultimate margin a lot nearer, Louisville has to scrub up lots with a purpose to beat Michigan State. South Florida grabbed 18 offensive rebounds — 37.5% of its misses — and Louisville can have a more durable time in opposition to Michigan State, some of the dominant offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The important thing on the offensive finish, because it at all times is for Louisville, shall be making 3s. The Cardinals rank within the prime 5 nationally in 3-point try charge and made 13 in opposition to South Florida. Michigan State was in the midst of the pack within the Large Ten in 3-point protection and allowed a median of 11.1 3-pointers in its losses this season. The X issue would be the availability of Mikel Brown Jr., although Louisville has discovered easy methods to win with out him over the previous 5 video games. — Jeff Borzello
How Nebraska received: The Cornhuskers made historical past with their first NCAA match win in program historical past as they throttled Troy with a dominant efficiency on each ends of the ground; they entered the sport as the one program of any energy convention with out an NCAA match win after going 0-8 of their earlier appearances. Junior ahead Pryce Sandfort erupted with a program-record seven 3-pointers in an NCAA match sport, one wanting his profession excessive set earlier this season. As a staff, Nebraska shot 14-of-39 from past the arc whereas holding Troy to 8-of-28 from 3. The Cornhuskers not solely dominated the glass, however turned these rebounds into 19 second-chance factors — effectively over their season common of 9.2. Nebraska additionally compelled Troy to commit 17 turnovers and turned these errors into 17 factors. — Brooke Pryor
Nebraska’s second-round opponent: Vanderbilt
How the Cornhuskers can advance to the Candy 16: Nebraska has already made historical past by successful the primary NCAA match sport at school historical past. Now it may well add to that feat with one other victory and its first Candy 16 look. How? Its protection has the power to drive Vanderbilt star Tyler Tanner into troublesome pictures. He was simply 2-for-6 in opposition to McNeese within the first half Thursday, struggling in opposition to its relentless strain. Nebraska is larger and higher (prime 10 protection nationally) than McNeese, and the Cornhuskers have put the identical defensive clamps on elite groups in Large Ten play. Towards everybody else, they have been ferocious. However they did maintain Troy to only 47 factors (77 factors per 100 possessions) — the perfect protection we have seen within the opening spherical by way of the primary half of Thursday. Mix that with Pryce Sandfort, Rienk Mast and Sam Hoiberg all hitting large pictures within the first spherical, and Nebraska is likely to be on its solution to the Candy 16 for the primary time. — Myron Medcalf
How TCU received: The Horned Frogs led by 15 on the half, wanting poised to cruise into the second spherical; groups with halftime leads of 15 or extra factors have been an ideal 34-0 over the earlier three tournaments, based on ESPN Analysis. However the Buckeyes had little interest in happening with no struggle, climbing all the best way again to take a 51-50 lead on the 7:24 mark. The 2 groups traded blows the remainder of the best way — till a nifty dish from David Punch to Xavier Edmonds with 4 seconds to play proved the distinction in a TCU victory. Punch was the late-game hero for the Horned Frogs, racking up 13 of his 16 factors, seven of his 13 rebounds and two assists within the second half to maintain his staff dancing. — David Hale
TCU’s second-round opponent: Duke
How the Horned Frogs can advance to the Candy 16: Siena turned the primary 16-seed to carry a double-digit halftime lead over a 1-seed in NCAA match historical past, per ESPN Analysis, due to its early dominance within the paint. Francis Folefac, a 6-foot-7 ahead, was the anchor of a Saints squad that scored 22 factors within the paint within the first half in opposition to the Blue Devils. That must be the blueprint for TCU, too. The Blue Devils have been susceptible inside with out Patrick Ngongba II, their greatest defensive participant who will not be out there for the second spherical. That is how the Horned Frogs can win, attacking inside and defending the rim in opposition to Boozer & Co. They will even want 3s to fall once more (39% in opposition to Ohio State), which solely occurred every now and then through the season once they have been fifteenth out of 16 groups within the Large 12 in 3-point capturing. — Myron Medcalf

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