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Utah State Upsets Villanova, Advances in NCAA Tournament

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Utah State defeated Villanova 86-76 in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 20, 2026.
The ninth-seeded Aggies erased a 10-point second-half deficit with a 13-3 run.
Mason Falslev scored 22 for Utah State, and MJ Collins added 20, with late baskets.
Villanova, seeded eighth, scored 25 points from Bryce Lindsay but fell short.
Utah State will face Arizona in the second round after Arizona's 92-58 win over Long Island.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament culminated in a historic upset when eighth-seeded Villanova defeated defending champions Georgetown 66-64 on April 1, 1985. This victory, characterized by Villanova's remarkable shooting accuracy of 78.6%, remains one of the biggest surprises in tournament history. The game exemplified the unpredictable nature of March Madness, where lower-seeded teams can triumph against the odds.

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Story summary

Utah State defeated Villanova 86-76 in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 20, 2026.
The ninth-seeded Aggies erased a 10-point second-half deficit with a 13-3 run.
Mason Falslev scored 22 for Utah State, and MJ Collins added 20, with late baskets.
Villanova, seeded eighth, scored 25 points from Bryce Lindsay but fell short.
Utah State will face Arizona in the second round after Arizona's 92-58 win over Long Island.

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