Missouri and Georgia eliminated in March Madness opening round

The first day of March Madness showcased both thrilling victories and significant disappointments. While some teams celebrated wins, others faced heavy losses, particularly from the SEC conference. The SEC had a rough start with several teams underperforming. Notably, Missouri, a No. 6 seed, lost 67-57 to No. 11 seed Drake. Missouri struggled offensively, scoring less than their season average and committing 17 turnovers. They hit 23 free throws but still lost by 10 points, raising concerns about their performance. Georgia, another SEC team, suffered a more significant defeat, falling 89-68 to Gonzaga. The Bulldogs were unable to keep up in the first half, trailing 48-27. Their shooting was poor, and they allowed Gonzaga to score easily. With three SEC teams already eliminated, the conference faced criticism for its large tournament representation. The ACC also had a disappointing day. Louisville lost 82-68 to Creighton despite finishing second in the ACC Tournament. Many felt the seedings were unfair, but a loss is still a loss. Clemson's performance was particularly shocking. The Tigers scored only 13 points in the first half against McNeese State, highlighting their struggles. Kansas ended up as another surprise elimination. Once ranked No. 1, they lost to No. 10 seed Arkansas in the first round. Star player Hunter Dickinson had a lackluster performance, finishing with just 11 points. This loss capped off a disappointing season for the Jayhawks. In summary, both the SEC and ACC faced tough days with several notable teams exiting the tournament early. Fans and analysts are questioning the strength of these conferences based on these unexpected outcomes.