In a stunning upset, the Kentucky Wildcats fell to the 14th-seeded Oakland in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, attracting a record-breaking audience of 6.21 million viewers. This game became the most-watched opening-round NCAA Tournament game since 2019, with a 70 percent increase in ratings and an 81 percent jump in viewership compared to the previous year.
The star of the game was Oakland’s Jack Gohlke, who scored an impressive 32 points, including 10 three-pointers, leading his team to a surprising victory over the heavily favored Kentucky. Despite the loss, Kentucky’s Antonio Reeves put on a show with 27 points in a thrilling back-and-forth contest.
This upset marked the end of Kentucky’s 2023-24 season, leaving fans shocked at the unexpectedly early exit. The game’s viewership surpassed that of Kentucky’s upset loss in 2022 and was the most-watched opening-round NCAA Tournament game since Zion Williamson led Duke to victory in 2019.
The defeat of a powerhouse like Kentucky by a 14th seed has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, proving once again that March Madness is full of surprises. As fans eagerly await the rest of the tournament, one thing is for sure – anything can happen on the road to the Final Four. Stay tuned to Poh Diaries for more updates on the NCAA Tournament and all things college basketball.
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