High Point Upsets Wisconsin in First Round of 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

1-Minute Brief

High Point's victory over Wisconsin highlights the unpredictability of March Madness and underscores the potential of lower-seeded teams.

Key Facts

• No. 12-seed High Point defeated No. 5-seed Wisconsin 83-82 in the first round at Moda Center.
• Former Duke player Jay Bilas discussed Coach Mike Krzyzewski's method of breaking down the tournament into micro tournaments.
• Jay Bilas and other analysts have identified several potential 'Cinderella' teams for this year's tournament.
• TCU edged Ohio State 66-64 with a late layup by Xavier Edmonds in another first-round matchup.
• High Point head coach Flynn Clayman criticized major conference teams for avoiding games against mid-majors after the upset.

What Happened

High Point secured a narrow 83-82 win over Wisconsin in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, marking the first major upset of this year's event. Other first-round games included TCU's close victory over Ohio State.

Why It Matters

The upset by High Point demonstrates the competitive balance in college basketball and brings attention to mid-major programs. Such results can influence perceptions of tournament seeding and scheduling practices.

What's Next

High Point advances to the next round, where they will face a higher-seeded opponent. The tournament continues with additional first-round games and ongoing analysis of potential upsets and standout performances.