March Madness 2025 started with an electrifying opening as Alabama State secured a dramatic 70-68 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio.
Alabama State’s Historic Win in March Madness
With the game tied at 68-68 and only 3.4 seconds left on the clock, Alabama State junior guard Micah Simpson executed a full-court inbound pass from under Saint Francis’ basket. The ball found its way into the hands of sophomore guard Amarr Knox, who capitalized on the opportunity with a clutch layup, sealing the win with just 0.7 seconds remaining.
This marked Alabama State’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory, making history for the program.
“We wanted to throw the ball long, and we put our tallest athletic person to go get the ball. Fortunately, everybody tipped the ball, and it landed to me. I got the rebound and made the layup,” said Knox. “Couldn’t have done it without my whole team. We executed a play we practice every day, and it worked.”
Senior guard TJ Madlock echoed Knox’s sentiments, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s about who wants it more, and he obviously showed he wanted it a little bit more tonight.”
As the No. 16 seed, Alabama State now prepares for their biggest challenge yet: a showdown with the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, the University of Auburn Tigers, on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky.
Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock acknowledged the team’s excitement but emphasized the importance of shifting focus to the upcoming game. “We’re going to enjoy this win, but now we have to prepare for Auburn. We’re heading to Lexington to play at Rupp Arena—what an incredible opportunity for a school in the SWAC. We can’t wait.”
North Carolina Makes a Strong Statement in March Madness Opener
The North Carolina Tar Heels silenced skeptics in their First Four matchup, delivering a commanding 95-68 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in Dayton, Ohio.
Entering the tournament as a No. 11 seed, UNC faced scrutiny regarding their tournament berth. However, the Tar Heels put on a dominant performance, proving they belong on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Senior guard RJ Davis led the charge with an impressive 26-point performance, shooting 8-for-12 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. North Carolina showcased elite efficiency, shooting 52.6% from the field, 58.3% from three-point range, and 87.5% from the free-throw line. At one point, the Tar Heels built a 40-point lead, solidifying their dominance.
Following the win, UNC players responded to critics who questioned their inclusion in the tournament.
“We know we deserve to be here. We’re not looking to send a message to anybody else,” said junior guard Seth Trimble. “We’re just focused on competing as a team and proving what we’re capable of. I think we did that tonight, and we’ll continue to do so in Milwaukee.”
Davis added, “Yes, we hear the noise, but we don’t pay attention to it. We stay within ourselves and focus on preparation for the next game.”
The victory marked North Carolina’s first-ever First Four win. With an all-time tournament record of 134-50, the Tar Heels are one of the most storied programs in NCAA history. They now shift their attention to their next opponent, the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels, whom they will face on Friday in Milwaukee.
March Madness 2025: What’s Next?
With Alabama State making history and North Carolina proving their doubters wrong, the excitement of March Madness 2025 is already in full swing. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these teams to see if they can continue their impressive performances in the quest for NCAA glory.
Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and highlights as March Madness 2025 unfolds!
