Full Breakdown
March Madness 2026: High Point's Historic Upset and Other First-Round Highlights
3/20/2026, 12:08:22 PM
Historic Upset: High Point vs. Wisconsin
In a stunning turn of events during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, No. 12 seed High Point defeated No. 5 seed Wisconsin 83-82. This victory marked High Point's first-ever win in NCAA Tournament history. The Panthers, who had been trailing by eight points with just five minutes left, rallied to secure the win with a layup from Chase Johnston—his first two-point basket of the season—just 11.7 seconds before the final buzzer. High Point's Rob Martin led the team with 23 points, while Wisconsin's Nick Boyd scored 27 points but was unable to convert a potential game-winning shot in the closing seconds.
Key Performances and Other Upsets
The first day of March Madness was filled with excitement and unexpected outcomes. Notably, No. 11 seed VCU pulled off a remarkable comeback against No. 6 seed North Carolina, winning 82-78 in overtime. Terrence Hill Jr. led VCU with 34 points, including a crucial three-pointer that gave the Rams the lead late in the game. This marked UNC's second consecutive first-round exit, raising questions about the team's future.
In another significant upset, No. 11 Texas defeated No. 6 BYU 79-71, with Matas Vokietaitis contributing a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds. BYU's star freshman AJ Dybantsa scored 35 points but could not lead his team to victory.
Other Notable Results
- Duke, the tournament's top seed, narrowly escaped elimination against No. 16 Siena, winning 71-65 after trailing for much of the game. Cameron Boozer led Duke with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
- Nebraska achieved its first NCAA Tournament victory by defeating No. 13 Troy 76-47, with Pryce Sandfort scoring 23 points.
- Arkansas dominated No. 13 Hawaii, winning 97-78, with Darius Acuff Jr. leading the way with 24 points.
Official Statements and Responses
High Point's coach Flynn Clayman expressed pride in his team's resilience, stating, "We're not just here to win one game; we're here to get to the Sweet 16." Wisconsin's coach Greg Gard lamented, "You get sent home when you don’t take care of the things you need to take care of," reflecting on his team's inability to maintain their lead.
What's Next
The second round of the NCAA Tournament will feature High Point facing Arkansas, while VCU will take on the winner of Illinois vs. Penn. Duke will meet TCU, and Nebraska will play Vanderbilt, as the tournament continues to unfold with high stakes and potential for more surprises.
Conclusion
The first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has already delivered thrilling moments and historic upsets, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of March Madness. Fans eagerly await the next round, where the drama and unpredictability of college basketball will undoubtedly continue.
