Jeff Swinger, The Associated PressGonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) reacts after a 3-pointer in the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City.
Charlie Neibergall, The Associated PressNevada head coach Eric Musselman questions a call against his team during a first round men's college basketball game against Florida in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Maddie Meyer, Getty ImagesHead coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats reacts with his bench after a play in the first half against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Mike Ehrmann, Getty ImagesNick Richards (4) of the Kentucky Wildcats walks across the court in the second half against the Abilene Christian Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesEmmitt Williams (24) of the LSU Tigers makes the slam dunk against the Yale Bulldogs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Sam Greenwood, Getty ImagesJordan Bruner (23) and Paul Atkinson (20) of the Yale Bulldogs react in the second half of play against the LSU Tigers during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Patrick Smith, Getty ImagesJared Harper (1) of the Auburn Tigers drives to the basket during the first half against the New Mexico State Aggies in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesHead coach Chris Mack of the Louisville Cardinals reacts to a play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jessica Hill, The Associated PressVermont's Ben Shungu (24) reacts during the first half of a first round men's college basketball game against Florida State in the NCAA tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Conn.
Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesJarvis Omersa (21) and Jordan Murphy (3) of the Minnesota Gophers battle Jordan Nwora (33) and Steven Enoch (23) of the Louisville Cardinals for a rebound during the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jeff Swinger, The Associated PressNew Mexico State head coach Chris Jans reacts in the first half against Auburn during a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City.
Patrick Smith, Getty ImagesThe New Mexico State Aggies mascot performs during the game against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Maddie Meyer, Getty ImagesTerance Mann, of the Florida State Seminoles, reacts while playing against the Vermont Catamounts during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesHead coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans glares at Aaron Henry (11) after a play during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Bradley Braves at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesDarrell Brown, of the Bradley Braves, reacts in the final moments of their 76-65 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJoey Hauser (22) of the Marquette Golden Eagles leaves the game in the second half against the Murray State Racers during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Maddie Meyer, Getty ImagesKJ Williams (23) of the Murray State Racers celebrates after scoring while playing in the second half of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at XL Center on March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jeff Swinger, The Associated PressNortheastern forward Jeremy Miller, left, and guard Vasa Pusica sit the bench late in the second half during a first round men's college basketball game against the Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City.
Stephen B. Morton, The Associated PressBelmont guard Dylan Windler reacts after missing a mid-court shot against Maryland as time expired in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. Thursday, March 21, 2019.
John Raoux, The Associated PressMaryland 's Bruno Fernando (23) celebrates during the final moments of the second half of a first round men's college basketball game against Belmont in the NCAA Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, March 21, 2019.
Charlie Neibergall, The Associated PressActor Bill Murray sits in the stands before a first round men's college basketball game between Minnesota and Louisville in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jeff Swinger, The Associated Press
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Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) reacts after a 3-pointer in the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City.
ExpandBy The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Getting your player ready...
The first round of the NCAA’s March Madness kicked off Thursday, March 21, 2019. Take a look at some of the high highs and low lows of the tournament’s first day. Plus, actor Bill Murray made a court-side appearance.



















