NCAA Tournament results: Big Ten runs record to 8-0 in March Madness

League follows up 4-0 opening day with another 4-0 performance

Dana Becker | Mar 22, 2025

The NCAA Tournament continues on Friday with 16 more first round games. / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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For the second consecutive day, the Big Ten Conference went 4-0 in the NCAA Tournament, as Maryland, Illinois, Michigan State and Oregon picked up wins. The league also had four wins on Thursday.

Wisconsin, who picked up a win over Montana on Thursday to advance, takes on BYU Saturday at 6:45 p.m. CST on CBS. The Cougars knocked off VCU in East Region action.

Maryland ran past Grand Canyon, 81-49, as Julian Reese scored 18 with nine rebounds. Illinois, who had some troubles early with Xavier, refocused to win, 86-73, behind 22 points by Will Riley.

Michigan State, a No. 2 seed, outscored Bryant in the second half, 54-34, after clinging to a five-point halftime lead. Oregon, meanwhile, held Liberty to 52 points in a 29-point victory to close out the day.

Here are some of the key headlines from day two of the NCAA Tournament, and a recap from the opening day of action:

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SEC power Alabama struggles to get by Robert Morris

The Crimson Tide nearly saw their Final Four hopes vanish in the first round, as Mark Sears came to the rescue of Alabama against Robert Morris. Down by one with seven minutes to play, the Tide went on a run, earning a 90-81 victory.

Sears, an All-American, scored 22 points - 19 in the second half - with 10 assists and five rebounds, as Alabama was hit by the injury bug again. Jarin Stevenson went to the back after a nasty fall, returning to the court with his wrist in a brace.

Amarion Dickerson had a game-high 25 for Robert Morris.