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High Point Upsets No. 5 Wisconsin in Thrilling NCAA Victory

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

High Point University defeated No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82 in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 19, 2026, marking its first NCAA Tournament victory and setting up a matchup with No. 4 Arkansas next.
Chase Johnston hit the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left.
Rob Martin led the Panthers with 23 points and 10 assists.
Wisconsin, a No. 5 seed, could not preserve an eight-point lead late.

History

Historical Context

In the 1985 NCAA Tournament, Villanova, an eighth seed, achieved a historic upset by defeating the defending champion Georgetown Hoyas, 66-64. This marked the first and only time an eighth-seeded team has won the tournament, highlighting the unpredictability of March Madness. Recent upsets, like High Point University's win over No. 5 Wisconsin, continue to illustrate the potential for underdogs to succeed in high-stakes games.

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Story summary

High Point University defeated No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82 in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 19, 2026, marking its first NCAA Tournament victory and setting up a matchup with No. 4 Arkansas next.
Chase Johnston hit the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left.
Rob Martin led the Panthers with 23 points and 10 assists.
Wisconsin, a No. 5 seed, could not preserve an eight-point lead late.

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