Cymerman's College Corner: The Madness began in Day 1.

In what many people say is the best time of the year, it surely did not disappoint. Day 1 was surely one that no one would have ever expected. There were 7 upsets which really showed why this is the best tournament in sports. It all started right from the get-go. BYU needing 2 overtimes to defeat Florida, it would be one of 3 OT games on the day. The Big East, who many think is the most dominate conference in the nation, would find out they were not that at all. Notre Dame who struggled from the field all day shooting just 36% from the field. Luke Harangody, who averaged 22 ppg for the Fighting Irish, struggled all day scoring only 4 points in 51-50 loss to Old Dominion. Other Big East teams who struggled were 6-seed Marquette who fell to 11- seed Washington with Quincy Pondexter making a game winner for Huskies in an 80-78 victory to move on to the next round. Washington will face New Mexico who will defeated Montana later in the night.

The biggest surprise was OHIO who defeated 3-seeded Georgetown. A team who was never consistent all year got blown out 97-83 by MAC foe. The only Big East team who won yesterday was Villanova who needed overtime to beat 15th seed Robert Morris. The Wildcats needed OT to defeat them. Robert Morris led most of the game, but with the refs on the side of Villanova all game, especially in the 2nd half and OT, Robert Morris couldn't find away for the huge upset in the 73-70 loss. Karon Abraham had Nova's number all day scoring 23 points and 5-11 from behind the arc. Despite Scottie Reynolds struggled (2-25 fg) all day, but Jay Wright's squad found a way to get it done. Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher did not start this game because Wright called it a teaching lesson for the team.

Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Kansas St., and Butler all advance with easy wins... Richmond couldn't contain Oman Samhan who was dominate on the glass (12 rbs) and in the paint (29 pts) as St. Mary's roll to a 80-71 victory.

Both 9-8 games were very close as Wake Forest needed OT to defeat Texas who couldn't make a free throw to save their life. (9) Northern Iowa make a 3 pointer with less than 5 seconds left in the game to defeat UNLV.

Tennessee would hold off San Diego State in a 62-59 win. Melvin Goins hit the 3 with 19 seconds left to seal the victory. In what was the second biggest upset on the day. Murray St. came into the tourney as a 13 seed and they surely didn't play like one. They gave Vanderbilt everything they had and Darreno Thomas was hero for Murray State with a 15 footer at the buzzer as Vandy falls once again in the Big Dance.

All in all it was one of the best Day 1 tournament games that I have ever seen. I hope for nothing but the same for Day 2. Like many of the world my bracket does not look good. Sportscenter had a stat that said only 56 brackets are perfect out of 4.1 million. This is why College Basketball is so amazing to watch, because anything can happen and that was proven yesterday. Enjoy day 2!