March Madness: Round of 32 Superlatives

We made it through the first full weekend of the 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament! The second round provided some all time games and memorable performances. Please comment your takeaways from this weekend and what storylines you are looking forward to going ahead in the tournament!

SOUTH REGION

Best Team Performance

  • Ole Miss: The Rebels shot at an elite clip against the Cyclones and pretty much dominated Iowa State from start to finish.

Best Individual Performance

  • Roddy Gayle Jr, G, Michigan: 26pts, 4reb

Best Game

  • Michigan (91) vs Texas A&M (79)

Most Disappointing Performance

  • Iowa State: For a team that showed so much potential early in the season, a second round exit sure is a disappointment. Yes injuries hurt their season but they simply were second best in every aspect against Ole Miss.

R64 All South Team

Chad Baker-Mazara, G, Auburn
Sean Pedulla, G, Ole Miss
Roddy Gayle Jr, G, Michigan
Pharrel Payne, F, Texas A&M
Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan

WEST REGION

Best Team Performance

  • Texas Tech: In quite a contrast from their first game, where the Red Raiders shot over 40 three pointers, Texas Tech used their size and athleticism to overwhelm Drake on the inside. The Bulldogs had no answer for the forward duo of Darrion Williams and JT Toppin.

Best Individual Performance

  • JT Toppin: 25pts, 12reb, 2blk

Best Game

  • Maryland (72) vs Colorado State (71)

Most Disappointing Performance

  • RJ Luis, G, St. John's: The Big East Player of the Year had such a poor game that he was benched in clutch time for the Johnnie's. He shot just 3/17, forced shots, and just didn't look like himself.

R64 All West Team

Walter Clayton Jr, G, Florida
Nique Clifford, G/F, Colorado State
JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech
Darrion Williams, F, Texas Tech
Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John's


EAST REGION

Best Team Performance

  • BYU: First year coach Kevin Young and BYU withstood the best performance of the tournament so for courtesy of Badger guard John Tonje to advance to the Sweet 16. The Cougars are an exciting team to watch and their offensive potential is cause for optimism for the BYU faithful that their team can make a deep run.

Best Individual Performance

  • John Tonje, G, Wisconsin: 37pts, 10/18 FG, 4reb, 4ast

Best Game

  • BYU(91) vs Wisconsin (89)

Most Disappointing Performance

  • Saint Mary's: The Gaels recent stretch of abysmal offense continued against Alabama. They shot just 34% from the field and 21% from three.

R64 All East Team

Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
Caleb Love, G, Arizona
Jackson Shelstad, G, Oregon
John Tonje, G, Wisconsin
Richie Saunders, G, BYU

MIDWEST REGION

Best Team Performance

  • Houston: Kelvin Sampson has his team playing at an elite level. Nobody wants a piece of the Cougars right now. (repeat of Round of 64 post but is still very applicable)

Best Individual Performance

  • LJ Cryer, G, Houston: 30pts, 6/11 3PT

Best Game

  • Houston (81) vs Gonzaga (76)

Most Disappointing Performance

  • McNeese: The Pokes were outmatched from the opening tip and simply could not find an answer for the Boilermakers.

R64 All Midwest Team

LJ Cryer, G, Houston
Kylan Boswell, G, Illinois
Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Purdue
Graham Ike, C, Gonzaga

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