The Oakland Grizzlies absolutely stunned a favored Kentucky Wildcats team in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament Thursday night.
Led by Jack Gohlke’s tournament-record tying 10 three-pointers and 32 points, one of the biggest upsets in modern postseason history took place in Pittsburgh.
It represented an absolutely disastrous loss for John Calipari and the Wildcats. It will also create some major questions about his future in Lexington.
Speaking of Lexington, pretty much everyone outside of Kentucky was rooting for Oakland. At least, if you are one of those who didn’t pick the Wildcats in your bracket.
Related: Everything you need to know about March Madness
NCAA Tournament ratings bonanza for Oakland’s win over Kentucky
According to Sports Media Watch, Oakland’s win drew an average of 3.4 million viewers on CBS. This makes it the most-watched first-round tournament game since back in 2019 when Zion Williamson led Duke against North Dakota State. Remember, Williamson himself was a ratings boon during his one season with the Blue Devils.
“The Golden Grizzlies’ upset win increased up 70% in ratings and 81% in viewership from Duke-Oral Roberts in the same window last year (2.0, 3.43M) and 9% and 14% respectively from Kentucky’s opening round loss to Saint Peter’s in the same window two years ago (3.1, 5.46M),” report on ratings for Thursday night’s game.
America loves a feel-good story in the tournament. In his 40th season as the Grizzlies’ head coach, Greg Kampe and his team represent that. Just don’t ask him about Europe and Diet Dr. Pepper unless you want a good five-minute rant. That’s actually a thing.
Oakland now takes on North Carolina State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.