Cleveland's March Madness games demonstrated tournament excitement

March Madness continues to captivate fans, as the opening-round games in Cleveland demonstrated. Despite skepticism about men's college basketball today, the excitement was palpable on Friday night. Four games took place at Rocket Arena, with notable performances. No. 2 Alabama defeated No. 15 Robert Morris, 90-81. No. 7 Saint Mary’s edged No. 10 Vanderbilt, 59-56, while No. 10 New Mexico pulled off a surprise upset against No. 7 Marquette, winning 75-66. No. 2 Michigan State triumphed over No. 15 Bryant, 87-62. A standout moment was Robert Morris star Amarion Dickerson's impressive 25-point game. Despite his team's loss, he received a warm standing ovation in his hometown. His emotions mirrored those of the RMU players, who were visibly moved during their press conference. Saint Mary’s victory came down to a tense final moment, as Vanderbilt nearly tied the game with a last-second three-pointer. New Mexico’s win marked their first tournament victory in 13 years and made history as head coach Richard Pitino celebrated alongside his father, who also won a game this tournament. Michigan State’s win was not as easy as the score suggests. They faced strong competition from Bryant, which made for an entertaining match with numerous lead changes and some dramatic moments, including a bloody collision involving Bryant’s Earl Timberlake. The upcoming games promise more excitement, with Alabama taking on Saint Mary’s and Michigan State facing New Mexico. Although perceptions of March Madness may have shifted, the thrill and unpredictability remain strong. This keeps fans engaged and reminds everyone of the joy of college basketball during this time of year.