March Madness Day 1 Delivers Epic Upsets and Thrilling Comebacks in NCAA Tournament First Round
Tournament Action - The opening day of the 2026 men's NCAA tournament showcased dramatic upsets, including VCU's historic 19-point comeback against North Carolina and multiple double-digit seeds advancing to create chaos in brackets nationwide.
Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; VCU Rams guard Nyk Lewis (1) goes to the basket against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The first round of March Madness lived up to its billing Thursday, delivering everything college basketball fans could want: stunning upsets, nail-biting finishes, and performances that will be remembered for years to come.
VCU Completes Historic Comeback Against North Carolina
The day’s most spectacular moment belonged to 11th-seeded VCU, which erased a 19-point second-half deficit to stun 6th-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in overtime. Terrence Hill Jr. was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 34 points while connecting on five of VCU’s final six baskets, including a clutch 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime.
The Rams’ comeback ties the largest in tournament history since 1985, matching South Alabama’s rally against Alabama in 1989. North Carolina’s collapse was equally dramatic, as the Tar Heels missed their final nine shots and connected on just seven of 25 attempts after building their commanding lead with 14:58 remaining.
Top Seeds Survive Scares While Underdogs Shine
Number one overall seed Duke barely escaped 16th-seeded Siena 71-65, trailing by 11 at halftime before wearing down the Saints in the second half. Cameron Boozer dominated with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while brother Cayden added 19 points to help the Blue Devils avoid a monumental upset.
The day’s biggest surprise came from 12th-seeded High Point, which knocked off 5th-seeded Wisconsin 83-82 for the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Chase Johnston delivered the game-winning layup – remarkably his first 2-point field goal of the season – while three Panthers recorded double-doubles in the stunning upset.
Second Round Matchups Set Stage for More Drama
TCU survived a second-half scare from Ohio State, winning 66-64 after nearly blowing a 15-point halftime lead. The Horned Frogs now face Duke in what promises to be a compelling second-round matchup.
Louisville advanced past South Florida 83-79 behind a spectacular 3-point shooting performance, connecting on seven shots from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Gonzaga and Michigan both handled their 14th and 16th-seeded opponents respectively, setting up intriguing second-round battles.
With 12th-seeded High Point having won 23 of their last 24 games and VCU riding incredible momentum from their historic comeback, the second round promises even more March Madness magic as these Cinderella stories continue their improbable runs.
Wisconsin Herd
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Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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