NCAA Tournament 2018: Which first round upset was the best?

NCAA Tournament 2018 First Round: 5 best bracket busters

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Jairus Lyles #10 of the UMBC Retrievers reacts after a score against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Kelan Martin #30 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrates with his teammates Sean McDermott #22 and Tyler Wideman #4 against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5. Butler dominating Arkansas

From the opening tip, Butler absolutely dominated Arkansas. There was a stretch when the Razorbacks got back into the game, but the Bulldogs finished by blowing Arkansas away with a 17-point victory, becoming one of the many double-digit seeds to head to the round of 32.

Was this a major surprise? Not really, but this one deserves mentioning because no one expected the Bulldogs to win in the fashion they did over one of the SEC’s best teams.

Butler held a five-point lead at the break and then extended it to double-digits in the second half, giving fans flashbacks of those dominant Bulldog teams that hit the court with Brad Stevens at the helm.

The Bulldogs could have a serious shot to surprise more people in the second round with a matchup against No. 2 Purdue. The Boilermakers were just dealt a crushing blow as they were hit with devastating news of a season-ending injury (fractured elbow) to star big man Isaac Haas.

Butler’s NCAA Tournament run may not be over just yet.

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