Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

High Point Upsets Wisconsin for Historic NCAA Tournament Win

3/20/2026

26 5

Summary

Story summary

High Point University defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 83-82 on March 19, 2026, in the NCAA Tournament first round.
The victory marks High Point's first NCAA tournament win and its first win over a Power Conference team.
Chase Johnston delivered the game-winning layup with 11.7 seconds left, despite not scoring a two-point basket all season.
Wisconsin had a double-digit lead and saw Nick Boyd score 27 points but miss late shots.

History

Historical Context

Since the NCAA tournament's expansion to 64 teams in 1985, smaller colleges have increasingly challenged established programs. High Point University's historic 83-82 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers in 2025 exemplifies this trend, reflecting the rise of mid-major teams in NCAA basketball. Such upsets, including UMBC's 2018 win as a No. 16 seed, continue to inspire future generations of athletes.

1 of 2

Story summary

High Point University defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 83-82 on March 19, 2026, in the NCAA Tournament first round.
The victory marks High Point's first NCAA tournament win and its first win over a Power Conference team.
Chase Johnston delivered the game-winning layup with 11.7 seconds left, despite not scoring a two-point basket all season.
Wisconsin had a double-digit lead and saw Nick Boyd score 27 points but miss late shots.

1 / 2