The 2025 men’s NCAA tournament got off to a wonderful start on Thursday, with McNeese and Drake becoming instant darlings for pulling off upsets as a double-digit seed. As March Madness continued on Friday, another double-digit seed joined them in the round of 32.
The No. 12 seed Colorado State Rams were actually a slight favorite against No. 5 seed Memphis in most sportsbooks after Tigers guard Tyrese Hunter was ruled out. The Rams entered March Madness hot after rolling through the Mountain West Conference tournament, and they kept their positive momentum going in a complete performance to knock off Memphis.
Colorado State earned a 78-70 victory behind Kyan Evans’ 23 points and a solid all-around game from star forward Nique Clifford. Memphis led at the half but they couldn’t get a stop after they came out of the locker room, with Colorado State putting up 47 points in the final 20 minutes. Colorado State will now play No. 4 seed Maryland. The ‘Crab Five’ decimated No. 13 seed Grand Canyon from the opening tip, and should be a sizable favorite to reach the Sweet 16.
Elsewhere in the bracket on Friday, No. 2 seed Alabama survived a scare from No. 15 seed Robert Morris, Duke rolled as Cooper Flagg returned to the lineup from an ankle injury, and Baylor outlasted Mississippi State.
Read our full recap of Thursday’s play at the men’s NCAA tournament here. Friday’s action continues late into the night, but here’s a look at the updated bracket right now:
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25921921/Screenshot_2025_03_21_at_5.39.01_PM.png)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25921957/Screenshot_2025_03_21_at_6.12.56_PM.png)
Here are the scores from Friday at the NCAA tournament.
Friday’s scores for men’s 2025 NCAA tournament
No. 4 seed Maryland 81, No. 13 seed Grand Canyon 49
No. 9 seed Baylor 75, No. 8 seed Mississippi State 72
No. 2 seed Alabama 90, No. 15 Robert Morris 81
No. 3 seed Iowa State 82, No. 14 seed Lipscomb 55
No. 12 seed Colorado State 78, No. 5 seed Memphis 70
No. 1 seed Duke 93, No. 16 seed Mount Saint Mary’s 49
No. 6 seed Ole Miss 71, No. 11 seed North Carolina 64
No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s 59, No. 10 seed Vanderbilt 55