Full Breakdown
High Point Panthers Achieve Historic Upset in March Madness
3/21/2026, 4:22:07 PM
High Point's Historic Victory
In a stunning turn of events during the NCAA Tournament, the No. 12 seed High Point Panthers achieved their first-ever victory in March Madness by defeating the No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers 83-82. The game, held in Portland, Oregon, saw High Point come back from a double-digit deficit, culminating in a game-winning layup by guard Chase Johnston with just 11.7 seconds remaining. Johnston's basket was particularly notable as it marked his first two-point shot of the season, having previously relied solely on his three-point shooting.
Key Moments and Players
Chase Johnston finished the game with 14 points, including four three-pointers. His decisive layup followed a missed opportunity by Wisconsin's Nick Boyd, who failed to convert a layup that could have extended the Badgers' lead. High Point's Rob Martin also played a crucial role, contributing 23 points and 10 assists. The Panthers' defense held strong in the final moments, with Owen Aquino blocking a layup attempt by Boyd, and Terry Anderson securing a crucial steal to seal the victory.
Context of the Tournament
High Point's win was part of a broader trend of upsets in the tournament, with nearly 36 million brackets filled out by fans being significantly impacted. The Panthers' victory was one of the most damaging to bracket predictions, as it eliminated a substantial number of perfect brackets, leaving only around 14,000 intact after the first day of games. The NCAA reported that High Point's upset was pivotal in reducing the number of flawless predictions to just 2.3 million.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Flynn Clayman expressed pride in his team's performance and called out major conference teams for avoiding matchups with mid-major schools like High Point. He stated, "It looks pretty obvious to me that high-majors need to play mid-majors early in the season... We played somebody now." This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among mid-major programs regarding their visibility and opportunities in the tournament landscape.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the celebration surrounding High Point's victory, critics have pointed out that the Panthers' success may not change the broader dynamics of college basketball, where mid-majors often struggle for recognition and scheduling opportunities against higher-profile programs. Some analysts argue that the tournament's structure still favors larger conferences, despite occasional upsets.
What's Next for High Point
Following their historic win, High Point is set to face the No. 4 seed Arkansas in the next round of the tournament. The Panthers aim to continue their momentum and prove their competitiveness against higher-seeded teams.
Verbatim Quotes
- “First and foremost, I wanna give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” — Chase Johnston, High Point Guard
- “Just to be on this stage and play a game like this, something you dream about.” — Chase Johnston, reflecting on his experience in the tournament.
