NCAA opening-round game history

The NCAA tournament’s Opening-Round game has been played at UD Arena since its inception in 2001 when Winthrop — which returns tonight, March 16, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff — lost to Northwestern State.

Here’s a look at the game’s history and the No. 1 seed to which the winner lost a few days later:

Opening-Round game result Eliminated by

2001: Northwestern State 71, Winthrop 67 Illinois

2002: Siena 81, Alcorn State 77 Maryland

2003: UNC Asheville 92, Texas Southern 84 Texas

2004: Florida A&M 72, Lehigh 57 Kentucky

2005: Oakland 79, Alabama A&M 69 North Carolina

2006: Monmouth 71, Hampton 49 Villanova

2007: Niagara 77, Florida A&M 69 Kansas

2008: Mount St. Mary's 69, Coppin State 60 North Carolina

2009: Morehead State 58, Alabama State 43 Louisville