What Went Down In The First Round Of The NCAA Tournament

Yale vs. Purdue just tipped off here. In anticipation of the challenges posed by Purdue’s massive frontcourt (they have a 7-foot-4 (!) starting center in Zach Edey), the Bulldogs are giving forward EJ Jarvis, who is a bit taller than usual starting forward Isaiah Kelly, his fifth start of the season.

The Loyola crowd sounds loud on TV, on rare occasions, but hasn’t had much to cheer about. The Ramblers have 12 baskets and 14 turnovers in 33 minutes.

Auburn’s interior defense is really stifling — according to KenPom, it allowed the fourth-lowest 2-point field goal percentage in the country and ranked No. 1 in block rate. We’re seeing that in action here, particularly during that long Jax State drought. Auburn has seven blocks and the Gamecocks are 5-for-19 from 2-point range.