The first round of this year's March Madness has been surprisingly subdued, lacking the kind of fireworks that usually define the tournament. So what gives?

For starters, there were zero buzzer-beaters to thrill fans. Out of the 32 initial games, a staggering 20 were won by double digits, with 12 matches decided by over 20 points. Only four games came down to a single possession, making this first round one of the least dramatic in recent memory.

Upsets were also notably absent. For the first time since 2017, the top four seeds in each region finished the first round with a perfect 16-0 record, with only two teams failing to win by double digits. The largest deficit faced by any of the top 16 was just seven points, and there were a mere 32 lead changes throughout their 16 games combined.

However, while the madness may have been mellow, glimpses of excitement still emerged. The spotlight shines on the second round, where two legendary coaches, Rick Pitino and John Calipari, will face off, albeit only Duke remains to represent the ACC after the disappointing exits of Clemson, Louisville, and North Carolina.

The Big Ten has positioned itself as the dominant force this year, going a flawless 8-0 in the first round. If we disregard Michigan's narrow win over UC San Diego, the Big Ten teams averaged a whopping 22-point margin of victory. In contrast, the SEC suffered a setback with six teams eliminated, yet both conferences now share the honor of having eight teams still in the mix, accounting for half of the remaining field.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the first round was the early exit of Kansas, who hasn't been one-and-done since 1981. A dominant team at the season’s start, their unexpected loss to Arkansas left many scratching their heads. Coach Bill Self reflected on the team's ups and downs, acknowledging that despite their talent, they might not have had the roster to compete with the best in the nation.

This first round also brought noteworthy performances from unexpected players. No. 11 seed Drake took down Missouri with a roster featuring four players who were in Division II just last year. Meanwhile, Auburn and Alabama State combined for an astonishing 51 free throw attempts, with both teams missing 22 shots from the line. Texas Tech also broke records, launching 46 shots from behind the arc.

Individual standouts included Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier, who dazzled with 29 points in his first NCAA tournament game, and Gonzaga’s Khalif Battle, who scored 24 points in a commanding win over Georgia. Duke’s Cooper Flagg returned to action as well, contributing to a convincing 44-point victory.

Amidst the chatter for potential Cinderella stories, teams like McNeese, Drake, and Colorado State rose to the occasion. One standout performance came from Amarion Dickerson of Robert Morris, who put up a remarkable 25 points against Alabama, leading his team to a near-upset. Although they lost 90-81, Dickerson's fight captivated fans and drew praise from Alabama's coach, who noted the respect for Dickerson's relentless effort.

On the flip side, SEC's Vanderbilt faced heartache, squandering a 12-point lead against Saint Mary’s and falling 59-56, marking yet another close loss in their tournament history.

While this first round lacked the typical drama and thrill associated with March Madness, it has effectively set the stage for exciting matchups in the second round. Arkansas's clash with St. John’s promises a thrilling encounter between coaching titans, while Gonzaga aims to maintain its Sweet 16 streak against Houston.

The upcoming rounds also feature intriguing matchups like Purdue versus McNeese and Tennessee facing UCLA, along with a high-stakes game between Connecticut and Florida, both vying for their own legacies.

As the tournament progresses, fans are left wondering where the chaos of March Madness will fit into this seemingly calm narrative. Will the next rounds deliver the kind of unpredictability that the NCAA tournament is famous for? April’s Fast approaching, and we’re ready for the Madness to begin!