Overview
- Betting favorites won every Friday game to complete a 16-0 day, a rarity last achieved in 1992, after an upset-filled Thursday.
- No. 1 seed Arizona overpowered Long Island 92-58, using a first-half three-point surge and 50 points in the paint to cruise in San Diego.
- No. 7 Kentucky survived No. 10 Santa Clara 89-84 in overtime after Otega Oweh banked a 32-foot buzzer-beater to extend the game.
- Iowa State’s leading scorer Joshua Jefferson exited early with an ankle injury and was later seen on crutches and in a boot, leaving his availability uncertain for the second round.
- Purdue’s Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley’s career assist record during a 104-71 win, as the Round of 32 now includes five first-round upset winners from Thursday, with matchups such as High Point vs. Arkansas and VCU vs. Illinois.