March Madness 2024: Highlights from Round One

March Madness is often sports fans’ favorite time of the year. Emotions are at an all-time high as young adults fight through a 64-team tournament to be called champions.

The women have garnered more attention than the boys. The final four tickets for the Women in Cleveland, Ohio, have sold four times more tickets than the Men’s tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.

Both tournaments have already brought legendary memories as we approach the Sweet 16 this upcoming Thursday for the guys as the girls finish their second-round matchups today.

Kentucky Goes Down Behind Jack Gohlke’s Ten Three-Pointers

The Kentucky Wildcats came into their tournament with some claiming that this team was Final Four bound. They were arguably one of the best in the country when they played at their best. The Wildcats came in as the third seed, taking on 14-seed Oakland University.

The Oakland team showed great defensive effort Thursday, with six blocks throughout the game. Jack Gohlke from Oakland was the star player, making ten out of his three-point attempts, an impressive record for any March Madness game. His performance allowed him to break the record for the most shots made beyond the arc in a single game, making him the player of the hour.

A legendary quote was created after taking down the Wildcats at the podium as well.

“I know they have draft picks, and I know I’m not going to the NBA, ” the Wisconsin native told the media after the game. “But on any given day I can compete with those types of guys.”

“I know they have draft picks, and I know I’m not going to the NBA…. but on any given I can compete with those type of guys”

Jack Gohlke’s confidence level is unmatched 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SwAhBpSkyz

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2024

Twitter users loved Jack’s performance and confidence in the upset victory.

"Just go shoot it, baby. You're the best."

– What Oakland coach Greg Kampe told Jack Gohlke pic.twitter.com/XzWNZE5S9J

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 22, 2024

Jack Gohlke Sends Kentucky Home After Hitting 10 3’s!!😱😳Let The Madness Begin!! pic.twitter.com/NHY6Jocare

— SSN Jay-O (@Jay_3shifty) March 22, 2024

The power of NIL deals has enabled Jack to score deals with Buffalo Wild Wings and Turbo Tax, causing his Instagram to skyrocket from 5,000 to 50,000 followers in just 48 hours.

Although an overtime loss against NC State Saturday has America saying goodbye to their favorite Cinderella, it’s not a goodbye for Jack Gohlke, as his legacy will live forever.

https://x.com/jgohlke34/status/1771356034205974940?s=46&t=owUIlA-OVvLzGoxK1jrmxA

LSU Lady Tigers’ Victory Over Middle Tennessee

LSU benched Hailey Van Lith as they trailed at halftime to Middle Tennessee State, 32-36. Van Lith has struggled mightily to adjust to playing around all of the talent and personalities surrounding the Lady Tigers. A scoreless first half and ineffective play gave head coach Kim Mulkey the push she needed to bench the Louisville transfer.

Angel Reese played well; however, Flaujae’s HUGE third quarter and her mentality during the timeout when speaking with the team showed that she was not going home.

Flau’jae Johnson took over in the LSU 2nd round win! @Flaujae pic.twitter.com/JyHz0uFlFI

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) March 24, 2024

Hard work will get you far @Flaujae pic.twitter.com/T4swufg4zU

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) March 24, 2024

The Lady Tigers outscored MTSU 51-20 in the second half to cruise to the Sweet 16 after a rocky first half. However, the team’s success heavily depends on the performance of Van Lith. Her role in creating space and contributing to the team’s effectiveness largely relies on her ability to shoot accurately. If she doesn’t improve her shooting, it may cost the team a championship. To have a chance at competing with South Carolina, the only remaining undefeated team in the NCAA Men or Women, Van Lith must step up her game.

Iowa’s Audi Crooks Drops 40 Over Maryland

Audi Crooks had herself a hell of a game in her first-round matchup against the Maryland Terrapins Friday night. Scoring 40 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Her trendy name and her confidence on the court earned her overnight stardom. Most points in a single game by a freshman in NCAA History and the only player to shoot 90% or better while achieving this feat. Despite her remarkable achievements, some social media users have attempted to shame her based on her size. However, many people have spoken up to defend Crooks, pointing out that she is an exceptional basketball player who is more athletic than those who are making fun of her.

Audi Crooks really dropped 40 to lead Iowa St. back from 20-PT deficit as a FRESHMAN 🤯

HOOPER. pic.twitter.com/XHOB1lCXxG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2024

Crooks was asked about her confidence and how she stays prepared after the overtime loss to Stanford Sunday night, and her answer touched many. Revealing that she had lost her father in 2021 when she was 16, and she tries to connect with him before every game.

What a wonderfully honest and open moment from Audi Crooks. I’m now a fan for life. pic.twitter.com/pwGPG4husg

— Rob Sand (@RobSandIA) March 25, 2024

The NCAA Tournament brings out the best in players, and often the best stories happen in March and we’re not even halfway through the entertainment.