2023 March Madness Day 1 highlights: Princeton stuns Arizona; Penn State crushes A&M

The initial day of the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament got off to a raucous start, as the Princeton Tigers pulled off a stunning upset of the Arizona Wildcats and the Penn State Nittany Lions trounced the Texas A&M Aggies.

The No. 11 seed Tigers, hailing from Princeton, New Jersey, overcame the superior athleticism and hefty size of the Wildcats, who had been heavily favored to win the opening round matchup. After a tightly fought battle in the first half, the Tigers took control in the second, outscoring their opponent by a margin of 18 points to secure the improbable victory.

The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, were in a league of their own. The No. 2 seed from State College, Pennsylvania, put on an absolute clinic, shooting a remarkable 59.7% from the field while also dominating the boards. Led by the inspired play of forward John Smith and guard Anthony Johnson, the Nittany Lions cruised to a 22-point victory.

The success of these two teams served as a reminder of the unpredictability of the tournament and set the stage for what promises to be an exciting few weeks of basketball. From the ferocious defense of the Princeton Tigers to the offensive firepower of the Penn State Nittany Lions, the first day of the 2023 March Madness tournament provided no shortage of exhilarating moments.