March Madness college basketball tournament underway with upsets and highlights
The Facts
The first day of March Madness featured multiple upsets and close games. Kentucky advanced past Santa Clara in overtime after Otega Oweh hit a three-pointer to force the extra period. The NCAA tournament continues with additional first-round games scheduled for Friday.
How different outlets are framing this
Both CNN and USA Today frame the tournament opening as highly successful entertainment, emphasizing excitement and drama rather than analytical coverage. CNN focuses on the broader narrative of tournament unpredictability, using language like 'chock full of upsets' and 'nailbiters that make this tournament so great' to build anticipation for upcoming games. Their coverage positions the first day as a preview of more excitement to come.
USA Today takes a more granular approach, highlighting specific dramatic moments like Kentucky's near-upset and the details of clutch plays. Their framing emphasizes individual performances and game-deciding moments, treating the coverage more like a highlights reel. Both outlets present the tournament through an entertainment lens typical of sports coverage, focusing on drama and unpredictability rather than deeper analysis of team performance or tournament implications.
Source Articles
- USA Today20 Mar, 14:45March Madness scores: See the big shots, moments, highlights in today's first round
Kentucky survived NCAA upset bid from Santa Clara when Otega Oweh sent the game to OT with a banked 3. See that and more from March Madness today.
- CNN20 Mar, 11:004 things to know for Friday’s March Madness action after a wild first day
The first day of March Madness was chock full of upsets and quite a few nailbiters that make this tournament so great. And the best part? There’s more coming on Friday.