54. #4 Virginia Tech 66, #13 Saint Louis 52 (Round of 64)
The final result may have been just a 14-point victory, but this game didn’t feel that close. The Hokies built a 22-point halftime lead and held on for the rest of the game. A back and forth effort early, the Billikens couldn’t get the long balls to drop, while Virginia Tech hit 40% of their 3-pointers. Saint Louis was also sloppy with the basketball (18 turnovers), even though they did outrebound this Hokies team. Led by a 20-point effort from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Hokies let their foot off the gas late or this would’ve been a larger margin of victory.
53. #11 Arizona State 74, #11 St. John’s 65 (First Four)
A year after faltering in the First Four, Arizona State got the job done this year. Bobby Hurley’s team led by as many as 18 points in the first half, coasting to the victory with some solid shooting across the board. Shamorie Ponds paced the Red Storm with 25 points but couldn’t produce enough for this team. Luguentz Dort, who shook off injury in this game, put up 21 points while Zylan Cheatham had 14 points and 10 rebounds. St. John’s pulled to within seven points in the final four minutes, but was never closer than that in the second half of a game that Arizona State clearly owned.
52. #6 Buffalo 91, #11 Arizona State 74 (Round of 64)
The result may have been in doubt for the first ten minutes, but then the Bulls took care of business and pulled away from Arizona State. Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils, facing his former team, made their shots early, but couldn’t keep up with Buffalo’s hot shooting. The Bulls made 37% of their 3-pointers and got 21 points and 10 rebounds from both Jeremy Harris and Nick Perkins. The Sun Devils got a 22-point effort from Zylan Cheatham but never cut into Buffalo’s 13-point halftime lead. The upstart Bulls secured the impressive victory, proving the MAC champions deserved such a high seed.