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Underdogs Rise: Hofstra, High Point, and Santa Clara Shine

3/17/2026

35 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Hofstra, led by guards Cruz Davis and Preston Edmead, has a 14-8 record in road and neutral games, with wins over Syracuse and Pittsburgh.
High Point posts an offense averaging 91 points per game, led by Cam'Ron Fletcher and three-point specialist Chase Johnson.
Santa Clara, with a deep rotation, earned a win over Minnesota and competes with stronger teams, led by Christian Hammond, while seeking to disrupt the tournament landscape.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Basketball Tournament was historic, featuring the first 64-team field and culminating in Villanova's stunning victory over Georgetown, the defending champions, with a score of 66-64. This upset, marked by Villanova's record 78.6% shooting, reshaped college basketball dynamics, promoting competitive parity and inspiring future underdog teams like Hofstra and High Point to pursue unexpected success.

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Story summary

Hofstra, led by guards Cruz Davis and Preston Edmead, has a 14-8 record in road and neutral games, with wins over Syracuse and Pittsburgh.
High Point posts an offense averaging 91 points per game, led by Cam'Ron Fletcher and three-point specialist Chase Johnson.
Santa Clara, with a deep rotation, earned a win over Minnesota and competes with stronger teams, led by Christian Hammond, while seeking to disrupt the tournament landscape.

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