Dec 20, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; UC San Diego Tritons head coach Eric Olen gestures during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images Nothing derails your NCAA Tournament bracket faster than having one of your Final Four teams knocked out in the first round.
Every year, there are a few stunning first-round upsets that rock the nation. Some Cinderella seeded low gives some national power the boot.
If you don’t believe me, ask Purdue.
The Boilermakers reached the national title game last season, but the previous three tournaments were nightmares.
There was the no-way-that-can-happen loss to No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023, the horrendous setback against No. 15 Saint Peter’s in 2022 and the atrocious defeat against No. 13 North Texas in 2021. If you go back to 2016, you’ll find a brutal double-overtime loss to No. 12 Little Rock.
Guess what — No. 13 seed High Point is playing its first-ever NCAA Tournament game on Thursday. And it drew No. 4 Purdue.
Here are four first-round March Madness upsets to consider:
No. 12 UC San Diego vs. No. 5 Michigan
The Tritons (30-4) have won 15 straight games and made the NCAA Tournament in their first season of eligibility. UC San Diego won at Utah State, a hard place for visitors, so it certainly can make the Wolverines sweat on a neutral floor.
UC San Diego is known as one of the top academic universities in the West, and it looks like it carries over to the basketball team. The Tritons are tied for the national lead in fewest turnovers per game (8.7) and they rank sixth in scoring defense (61.6). Third-leading scorer Hayden Gray (11.2) is a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Now, Michigan (25-9) has the edge in athleticism, is used to playing on a national stage and regularly faces tough teams in the Big Ten. But the Wolverines are one of the worst teams in the nation at protecting the ball and commit 14.1 turnovers per game.
There is your 12-vs.-5 upset right there.
No. 12 Colorado State vs. No. 5 Memphis
Mar 14, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Memphis Tigers guard Tyrese Hunter (11) reacts against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images The Rams (25-9) stormed their way down the stretch with 10 straight wins and got into the tournament by beating Boise State in the Mountain West tournament title game. Six of those seven wins have been by double digits.
Colorado State also has a big-time player carrying the squad in Nique Clifford (19.0 ppg, 9.7 rebounds), whose stock has been rising with NBA talent evaluators.
Memphis (29-5) has a sensational player as well in PJ Haggerty (21.8), who can really fill up the hoop. The Tigers faced a tough nonconference schedule and have finished strong with eight straight wins. But Memphis was one-and-done last year by losing to Florida Atlantic, and we can see another stumble happening against the Rams.
No. 13 High Point vs. No. 4 Purdue
Mar 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) reacts to making one of his career-high seven 3-pointers against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images It’s hard to fathom the Boilermakers (22-11) going down on Day One again. But recent history says you need to be mindful that it could happen. Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith (16.1 ppg, 8.7 assists) is likely working hard to make sure another quick departure won’t happen.
High Point (29-5) has won 14 consecutive games and hasn’t lost in two months. That means the players have the proper confidence level to slay any team prone to taking low-caliber opponents lightly.
If the Panthers keep it close, the mental game kicks in for Purdue and the crowd starts rabidly cheering for High Point. Oh yeah, we’ve seen this movie before.
No. 13 Yale vs. No. 4 Texas A&M
Mar 8, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Zhuric Phelps (1) dribbles against LSU Tigers guard Jordan Sears (1) during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Hey, didn’t a No. 13 Yale send a fourth-seeded Southeastern Conference team home in the first round last season? Sure did. That was Bruce Pearl and Auburn getting outplayed and outworked by an Ivy League team.
John Poulakidas became a household name by hitting 6 of 9 from 3-point range and scoring 28 points. Guess what — he’s back and ready to add on to his 239 career treys. Plus, Yale (22-7) is always well-coached by James Jones.
Aggies coach Buzz Williams will certainly go on preparation overload to avoid becoming an upset victim. But when your team enters the NCAA Tournament with five losses in seven games, there’s a very real chance your stay will be short.
And that’s exactly what’s going to happen to Texas A&M (22-10).
