Miami's win over Drake means no 12-seed in second round

Miami Hurricanes guard Nijel Pack Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Miami's win over Drake means no 12-seed will advance to the Round of 32

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 3/17/23

On an evening when a No. 1 seed went down, Miami (FL) helped produced arguably an even more surprising result. Thanks to its 63-56 win over Drake on Friday, the No. 12-seed will advance to the Round of 32 for the first time since 2018.

It's become an annual tradition trying to determine which No. 5-seed should be on upset alert in the NCAA Tournament. This year, Miami, Duke, Saint Mary's and San Diego State all were tasked with avoiding the upset and all passed the test.

The Hurricanes had a good scare against the Bulldogs as Drake built an eight-point lead with under five minutes to go thanks to back-to-back threes from senior guard Sardaar Calhoun.

BACK-TO-BACK TRIPLES BY CALHOUN!

No. 12 Drake leads No. 5 Miami 53-47. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/EPS6WPP3sD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023

Miami came back to tie it and sophomore guard Nijel Pack put the Hurricanes on top for good when he hit a jumper with 63 seconds remaining. Pack led Miami with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting.

NIJEL PACK. FOR THE LEAD!

He has 19 points.

Miami 58, Drake 56.
51.8 seconds remaining. pic.twitter.com/R096Y9Jmdp
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) March 18, 2023

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams for the 1985 tournament, there have been 52 upsets by a 12-seed. Per NCAA.com, this season marks only the fifth time this century (2000, 2007, 2015, 2018) that at least one 12-seed won't advance to the Round of 32.

The first round hasn't been short on upsets. If Nos. 13-, 15-, and 16-seeds advancing don't make that obvious enough, look to all four No. 5-seeds moving on to play this weekend for further confirmation.

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