The First Four, a single-game elimination round, officially kicks off the NCAA basketball tournament, better known as March Madness.

The event trims the field for the men’s tournament from 68 to 64 teams, and the women’s tournament includes eight teams trying to earn their spot in the 68-team madness to come.

The men’s tournament opened in thrilling fashion Tuesday as Alabama State sophomore guard Amarr Knox hit a game-winning shot against Saint Francis.

With the game tied at 68 and 3.4 seconds left on the clock, Alabama State had only one option: a full-court heave in hopes of a miracle. And they delivered.

Knox secured the ball after multiple players failed to corral it, making a layup that put Alabama State ahead by two with one second left—securing the win and keeping the team’s championship hopes alive.

A game-winning shot in the tournament’s opening game is the perfect embodiment of March Madness. If this is a sneak peek of what’s ahead, fans are in for a wild ride.

Later that night, the North Carolina Tar Heels cruised past San Diego State in a dominant 95-68 win, led by senior guard RJ Davis’s 26-point performance.

The men’s First Four concludes Wednesday with Mount St. Mary’s facing American at 5:40 p.m. CT, followed by Xavier vs. Texas at 8:10 p.m. CT.

The women’s First Four begins March 19, featuring eight teams battling for a spot in the 68-team field.

While the men’s tournament has included the First Four since 2011, this marks only the third year for the women’s version, which debuted in 2022.

The women’s action tips off March 19, with Princeton taking on Iowa State at 6 p.m. CT, followed by Southern University vs. UC San Diego at 8 p.m. CT.