If you’re an avid watcher and participant in March Madness, you know the excitement of having a successful bracket all too well. However, if you were like me and had Duke at the top of your bracket, winning the whole tournament, I’m sure you understand how quickly the tables can turn. I spent the majority of March screaming at my TV and psychoanalyzing my picks at all hours of the day.
Ironically enough, so many people, including myself, look forward to March for this very reason. The ups, downs, and Cinderella stories are what make it madness. If you’re in desperate need of a recap, here are five of the fiercest matchups that led to the downfall of many brackets (including my own):
- No. 10 Arkansas vs No. 2 St. John’s
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As the first top-four seed to fall, it only felt right to start with this game. Even if you don’t follow basketball closely, chances are you’d bet on St. John’s advancing.
If you did tune in, this may be a painful recap: St. John’s shot two-for-22 from the three-point line. Arkansas wasn’t much better at two-for-19, but they made up for it by hitting 56 percent of their two-point shots. On top of that, St. John’s starter Kadary Richmond, who averages the most minutes per game, only played for 16 minutes total due to foul trouble.
- No. 2 Uconn vs No. 1 USC
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Going into this game, fans knew their brackets were likely about to take a hit. At the start of the tournament, the University of Southern California (USC) was considered a top contender for the title. Basketball star JuJu Watkins had led them to their best season in over 40 years — as just a sophomore. She was named AP Player of the Year and is a two-time All-American.
In the second round against Mississippi State, Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Despite still having a stacked roster, USC couldn’t overcome the loss of their star. They made it to the Elite Eight, where they faced the University of Connecticut (UConn), a team seeking revenge after a 72–70 home loss to USC earlier in the season.
- No. 12 McNeese State vs No. 5 Clemson
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McNeese State played this game with more passion than Clemson, plain and simple. They came out strong with a 24-point lead at the half, thanks in large part to Brandon Murray. He totaled 21 points, 14 of which came in the first half.
The second half became much more intense as Clemson’s Jaeden Zackery and Chase Hunter started making big plays, each scoring over 20 points. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as McNeese State pulled off the 69–67 win, marking their first-ever NCAA tournament victory in program history.
- No. 2 UConn vs No. 1 South Carolina
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Even though UConn was favored to win the finals with -270 odds, while South Carolina stood at +220, a lot of people were still betting on the reigning champs. UConn had already beaten South Carolina earlier in the regular season with a dominant 87–58 win. Still, many believed South Carolina had the upper hand because of their depth and versatility.
Before the game, announcers pointed out, via a 2–1 vote in favor of South Carolina, the team’s biggest strength: a different player could step up each game. Their roster was so packed with talent that their top scorer constantly changed, depending on the matchup. In contrast, UConn leaned more heavily on its star trio: Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong, and Azzi Fudd.
Despite the debate, UConn proved the odds right. After a dominant run in the Elite Eight, they continued to crush brackets and clinched the Championship Title with a commanding 82–59 win.
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 1 Houston
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This one was rough. In just 30 seconds, this game crushed over half of everyone’s brackets. I was part of the 71 percent who picked Duke to win, and like most people, I was confident in that choice…until the final moments.
Duke had led for most of the night and held a nine-point lead with just three minutes to go. However, Houston’s defense suddenly turned up the pressure, holding Duke to only a few free throws. Meanwhile, Emanuel Sharp caught fire, scoring the next nine points.
With 33 seconds left, it became a three-point game. It all happened so fast; Houston added four more points while Duke’s star, Cooper Flagg, missed a key mid-range jumper. Two more free throws from Houston sealed the game, making the final score 70–67.
March Madness never fails to live up to its name. No matter how confident you are in your bracket, there’s always a twist waiting. While most brackets didn’t survive the chaos, upsets, comebacks, and Cinderella stories, this is exactly what keeps us coming back every year. At the end of the day, it’s not just about winning; it’s about the madness!
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