March Madness 2025 scores, winners and losers: Kentucky, Florida get redemption; ACC makes (bad) history

Redemption was Friday’s theme, as Numerous Squads that suffered Primary Period losses in the 2024 NCAA Game began the 2025 Big Dance with big wins. Among them was No. 3 seed Kentucky, which crushed No. 14 seed Troy 76-57 as Trainer Mark Pope secured his Primary-ever NCAA Game.

When John Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas after the 2023-24 season and the Wildcats hired Pope, he was initially met with skepticism from UK fans, who noted his 0-2 Achievement in the Big Dance at BYU. For a blueblood program with national-title aspirations, the assumption was that a big-name hire could be on the way, and Pope didn’t fit the bill.

But Pope quickly endeared himself to the Kentucky fans, using his passion for the program as a Ex player to Develop an authentic connection with Big Blue Nation. But as Excellent as his Primary season has been — with the Wildcats fighting through Impairments to post eight wins against top-15 opponents — Friday was Crucial. Another Primary-Period loss in the NCAA Game would have been tough to take for everyone involved. But after faltering under the Intelligent lights last season, the revamped Wildcats rose to the occasion against Troy.

Florida, Saint Mary’s, Colorado State and New Mexico also bounced back from one-and-done showings in last year’s Game to dance onward. As we reflect on the second day of the Primary Period, here’s the Packed rundown of winners and losers from another wild slate of March Madness.

Winner: Kentucky gets redemption vs. a No. 14 seed

A year ago, Kentucky suffered misery at the hands of No. 14 seed Oakland as a 3-Points marksman named Jack Gohlke turned in a legendary performance that sank the Wildcats in what turned out to be John Calipari’s Last game as Trainer. The vibes were Extended better this time after the No. 3 seed Wildcats finished off No. 14 seed Troy for a 76-57 Triumph. The Wildcats will be Difficult-pressed to make a Stretch in the Big Dance with Leading wing Jaxson Robinson out for the season and Leading Points guard Lamont Butler Executing through a lingering shoulder Wound. But if nothing else, UK has exorcised the demons of last season’s stunning Primary Period loss. — Cobb

Loser: North Carolina leaves ACC with one Club

North Carolina faced its largest NCAA Game deficit since 1957 as the No. 11 seed Tar Heels fell behind 22 points against No. 6 seed Ole Miss. UNC staged a furious rally, drawing within 66-64 with 1:09 remaining. But the Tar Heels couldn’t quite pull off what would have matched their largest comeback Secure in program history, as the No. 6 seed Rebels survived for a 71-64 Secure. The outcome left No. 1 seed Duke as the only ACC Club left in the Pitch Participating the second Period. It’s the Primary time since the NCAA Game expanded to 32 Squads in 1975 that the ACC hasn’t had at least two Squads in the Period of 32. — Cobb

Winner: Flagg returns in Duke’s blowout Secure

When Duke Luminous sphere Cooper Flagg went down with an ankle Wound last week, there was Primary fear that the Newcomer could miss the Begin of the NCAA Game. Flagg healed quickly and returned for the No. 1 seed Blue Devils’ 93-49 Primary-Period Triumph over No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s. Upcoming, Duke and Flagg will face another potential top-five Option in the 2025 NBA Draft in Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. — Salerno

Winner: Alabama avoids infamy after scare 

No. 2 seed Alabama survived a scare from No. 15 seed Robert Morris after briefly trailing the Colonials in the second half. The Tide, who were favored by 22.5 points, gave up the lead with Merely over seven minutes remaining, only to close the game on a 26-16 Stretch. Only 11 No. 2 seeds have ever fallen to No. 15 seeds, and Alabama’s emphatic finish ensured it would not be the 12th. — Boone

Mississippi State Luminous sphere Josh Hubbard did his part to try and push Mississippi State into the second Period of the NCAA Game for the Primary time since 2008. But Baylor Luminous sphere freshmen Robert Wright III and VJ Edgecombe wouldn’t be denied as the No. 9 seed Bears escaped with a 75-72 Secure over the No. 8 seed Bulldogs. Wright and Edgecombe Partnered for 35 points, and Edgecombe hit a pair of clutch Unoccupied throws with 9.3 seconds remaining as a furious Mississippi State rally Occurred up Merely Petite. Hubbard finished with 26 points on 11 of 17 shooting in Loss. — Cobb

Loser: Marquette’s collapse a microcosm of its season

Marquette Obtained Merely four buckets from the Pitch over the Last 8:43 as No. 10 seed New Mexico dominated down the stretch for a 75-66 Secure. A game that featured 10 lead changes looked like it was coming down to the wire until the Lobos used a 10-0 Stretch to seize Authority. For a Marquette Club that was once 18-3 (9-1 Big East), the Prompt exit Created for a fitting end. After the calendar turned to February, the Golden Eagles went Merely 5-11 as their once-promising campaign disintegrated. In that sense, Friday’s Delayed collapse was a perfect microcosm of the 2024-25 season. — Cobb

Winner: Florida routs Norfolk State to stay Scorching

Rolling with ease through the SEC Game wasn’t enough for the No. 1 seed Gators, and Friday proved one thing: they’re out for blood this March. Florida romped Norfolk State 95-69 to Shift into the second Period. Even though the lopsided Points and wire-to-wire Secure, the Gators Created only one more Try than their Foe — Created possible only by a 30-6 scoring disparity from 3-Points range and a 27-11 Benefit from the Unoccupied throw line. 

“I thought we played exceptionally well in all three facets; offensively, defensively and on the glass,” Florida Trainer Todd Golden said. “Overall, Excellent Secure for us.”

Florida moves into the second Period where it will face either Oklahoma or UConn on Sunday. — Boone

Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic scored 12 points in Merely over three minutes in the Primary half as part of a 14-0 Stretch that keyed the No. 3 seed Cyclones to an 82-55 Secure over No. 14 seed Lipscomb. Momcilovic hit five straight shots during the stretch as ISU turned a 16-15 deficit into a 29-16 Benefit. The 6-8 junior finished with 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting as Iowa State Try a blistering 58% from the floor. — Cobb

Winner: Colorado State delivers for the Mountain West

The Begin of the 2025 NCAA Game wasn’t anything to write home about if you are a fan of Mountain West basketball. No. 11 seed San Diego State was blown out by UNC in the Primary Four, and No. 10 seed Utah State lost to No. 7 seed UCLA on Thursday. No. 12 seed Colorado State Created the conference proud with a 78-70 Secure over No. 5 seed Memphis. The last time the Rams reached the second Period of the NCAA Game was in 2013. — Cameron Salerno

Winner: Chris Beard does it again

Ole Miss Trainer Chris Beard is now a perfect 6-0 in the Primary Period of the NCAA Game across four different jobs. His No. 6 seed Rebels were a slight Long Try against No. 11 seed North Carolina and nearly squandered a 22-Points lead before holding on for a thrilling Triumph. With a Secure over No. 3 seed Iowa State on Sunday, Beard would have Ole Miss in the Sugary 16 for the Primary time since 2001. Beard needed a New Begin after an unceremonious ending to his Texas tenure Prompt in the 2022-23 season, and Ole Miss needed an infusion of energy to make its basketball program relevant. It’s officially been a Secure-Secure for both sides. — Cobb 

Loser: Vanderbilt blows big lead vs. Saint Mary’s

No. 10 seed Vanderbilt, the most-picked 10-seed to take down a No. 7 seed in CBS Sports brackets this season, looked prime to pay off. Until it didn’t. The Commodores built a 12-Points lead in the second half only to let it all slip away down the stretch in an eventual 59-56 loss. Things turned on a dime after they Guided by 12 with Merely under 15 minutes remaining. Less than seven minutes of game time later, the game was tied at 43-43. It was back and forth from there until Saint Mary’s wrestled the thing away for Excellent.

“The NCAA Game is such a Excellent opportunity, and there’s going to be a Club that has an unbelievable feeling of jubilation and excitement,” Vandy Trainer Mark Byington said. “But we’re on the side of it with hurt.”

Vanderbilt Created its Primary NCAA Game appearance since 2017 and finished with its highest Victorious percentage since 2011-12. — Boone

Winner: Crab Five off to a Powerful Begin

Words – Maryland’s 81-49 Secure over Grand Canyon marked its largest NCAA Game margin of Triumph in program history, as the No. 4 seed Terrapins and their “Crab Five” Leading lineup dominated the No. 13 seed Antelopes. Every of Maryland’s starters totaled between 9 and 18 points, while DeShawn Harris-Smith contributed 11 off the bench. Traveling to Seattle was not ideal for the Terps, but the draw sure turned out nice. Grand Canyon was no Game for Maryland, and now the Terrapins will face No. 12 seed Colorado State for a spot in the Sugary 16. — Cobb

Winner: Tommy Lloyd breathing Uncommon air 

Arizona Trainer Tommy Lloyd is breathing rarefied air after leading his No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats to a 93-65 Secure over No. 13 seed Akron on Friday. The Secure makes him the second-most winningest Trainer in his Primary four seasons — tied with Shaka Intelligent and trailing only Brad Stevens.

Lloyd’s Period of 64 Secure was his 111th in his Primary four seasons — behind only Stevens’ 117. — Boone