Ja Morant is unstoppable and other highlights from day one of the NCAA tournament

Ja Morant established himself as a March Madness superstar on Thursday, and other things you either missed or want to remember fondly.

If you called in sick to stay home from work and watch the first day of the NCAA tournament, well, that was a good decision because what a first day it was.

We had upsets and close finishes, dunks and crazy passes, and we’re here to show you the best of the best.

Here are some highlights from the first day of the NCAA tournament.

Vermont!

You probably didn’t expect us to start with Vermont but, hey, here we are. Vermont’s Duncan brothers–freshman Robin, redshirt junior Everett and redshirt senior Ernie–became the first trio of brothers to play in a NCAA tournament game together on the same team.

They also became the first trio of brothers to all touch the ball on a possession and score in the NCAA tournament. Did they practice this in the drive way growing up?

Vermont lost to Florida State 76-69.

Buzzer-beating banker

What even is this?

Deep 3s on display

The Stephen Curry effect is real. Years ago, Steph made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament during his Davidson run, and now dudes are pulling up from the logo. Hey man, people are watching. Now’s the time to do it… but only if you make them. And Baylor’s Makai Mason can make them.

Speaking of 3s…

Wofford’s Fletcher Magee is good at shooting 3s…

So good in fact, that the senior guard made history with this next 3-pointer, his third of the game and 505th of his career to break the record for most 3s made in a career.

Wofford went on to beat Seton Hall 84-68.

Hold Izzo Back!

But during Michigan State’s win over 15-seed Bradley, Tom Izzo lost his cool. I mean, his team forced a turnover and got the score in transition, but Izzo was apparently upset over his player going under the screen, and not over the screen. At least he’s detail oriented. Look at his own players holding him back here. They’re probably like Dude, what? You know we’re winning right?

https://twitter.com/bballbreakdown/status/1108829715496722432

And they did win. By 11, 76-65.

Ooh, you Killian them

No. 1 seed Gonzaga beat the No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson–which is either a school or the author of a Y.A. novel–87-49. Crushed ’em.

Look to the right of your screen and then KILLIAN TILLIE NO THOSE MEN HAVEN’T EVEN GOTTEN PAID YET!

Where is it?

A crazy play from a crazy game that came down to the end. You tell me if you can keep track of what’s going on here. It’s like one of those games where someone mixes up the cups and you have to guess which one the cotton ball is under or whatever.

Maryland went on to beat Belmont 79-77.

Michigan lob

This was fun.

New Mexico State vs Auburn ‘s finish

This was probably the best game of the day. 12 seeded New Mexico State and No. 5 Auburn came down to the end. Down 73-69, Trevelin Queen with the herky jerky 3 cuts Auburns lead to 73-72 with under 30 seconds to play.

And then, instead of going for the tie, A.J. Harris kicks out to Terrell Brown who gets fouled on the 3-point attempt!

But Brown would miss two of his three free throws. But then New Mexico State would get the offensive rebound and get one last chance! It’s Trevelin Queen again!

Ooh, too wide. Auburn advances after a close one, 78-77.

Ja Rules

Murray State’s Ja Morant, by many accouts, is the second-best NBA prospect in the nation behind only Zion Williamson. Chances are you haven’t watched a ton of Murray State this year, even if you’ve seen a highlight here and there. But this pass…

That’s sick. And that was just one of his 16 assists. Yeah. To go along with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Morant became just the eighth player since 1984 to record a triple-double in the NCAA tournament.

He did it with this dunk…

This jump outlet pass, which I’m pretty sure he just invented…

And then the finishing move…