NCAA Scores Yesterday: Reliving the Thrills of the First Round
After weeks of anticipation, the most exciting two days in American sports have drawn to a close. The first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is a spectacle of chaos, with 32 games packed into a whirlwind 36-hour window. The highlight reels of buzzer-beaters, massive upsets, and emotionally charged moments that dominate March and early April? A significant portion of them unfold in those first two days, as millions across the country juggle personal and professional commitments to immerse themselves in the March Madness experience.
And as it often does, the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament delivered. We witnessed surprising results in captivating games, with High Point stunning Wisconsin in a classic 12-over-5 upset. Furious comebacks were on display, like VCU overcoming a daunting 19-point deficit to defeat North Carolina. And of course, there were buzzer-beaters – Kentucky’s Otega Oweh hitting a prayer of a shot to force overtime against Santa Clara. Beyond the scores, the post-game interviews, like those from High Point’s Flynn Clayman and VCU’s Phil Martelli Jr., immediately went viral.
But what truly stood out from this eventful couple of days? Which teams, players, and coaches shone brightest in the win-or-go-home crucible of March? Here are 12 of the most impressive performances from the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
Saint Louis’ Dominant Display
In 2024, Indiana State, a 28-6 team that captivated the nation, was controversially left out of the tournament. Two years later, their coach and star player showcased what was missed with a stellar performance for Saint Louis. The Billikens delivered a truly impressive showing, dismantling Georgia 102-77. Shooting 58% from the field, racking up 27 assists on 42 made baskets, and having eight players score at least nine points, they thoroughly outplayed a power-conference opponent with wins against Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas. They became only the second team in tournament history seeded ninth or worse to score 100+ points and win by 25+, joining the legendary 1989-90 Loyola Marymount team.
High Point’s Cinderella Run
The first Cinderella story emerged quickly. No. 12 seed High Point, a 10-point underdog against No. 5 Wisconsin, trailed for 34 of 40 minutes, never led by more than three, and was down by four with 56 seconds left. Yet, they pulled off the upset with a fast-break layup from Chase Johnston with 11 seconds remaining, winning 83-82. Johnston’s winning basket was his first two-pointer of the season – his previous 68 made shots were all from beyond the arc! Coach Flynn Clayman’s post-game interview, advocating for more non-conference games between major and mid-major programs, went viral.
VCU’s Remarkable Comeback
With 15 minutes remaining, VCU trailed North Carolina by 19. Despite being a popular upset pick, the Rams looked finished. Then, they unleashed a stunning comeback, outscoring the Tar Heels 19-4 in the final 6:11, forcing overtime and ultimately winning 82-78. Terrence Hill Jr. led the charge with a career-high 34 points, making 13 of 23 shots.
Kentucky’s Otega Oweh Saves the Season
Kentucky’s Otega Oweh saved his team’s season with a career-high 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in their 89-84 victory against Santa Clara. His highlight? A 32-foot 3-pointer that banked off the glass as time expired to send the game to overtime.
UConn’s Dominating Rebounder
UConn’s senior, Adama Sanogo, delivered eye-popping numbers with 31 points and an incredible 27 rebounds in their 82-71 victory against Furman. He became the first player in NCAA tournament history with at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in a game while shooting at least 80% from the field.
Nebraska’s Historic Win
Nebraska, historically the only program from a major conference never to win an NCAA tournament game, finally broke that streak with a dominant 76-47 victory over Troy. This win continued a magical season for coach Fred Hoiberg’s team.
Purdue’s Assist Record Breaker
Purdue’s point guard, Braden Smith, broke Bobby Hurley’s NCAA career assist record, dishing out eight dimes to reach 1,083 for his career. He also scored a game-high 26 points.
Texas Tech’s Resilient Performance
Despite being without their best player, Texas Tech shot 64% from the field and 55% from 3, defeating Akron 91-71. Coach Grant McCasland has built a tough program capable of overcoming adversity.
Illinois’ Freshman Sensation
Illinois’ freshman, Draza Mirkovic, shone brightly in their 105-70 rout of Penn, scoring a game-high 29 points with 17 rebounds.
Siena’s Valiant Effort
Siena didn’t pull off a 16-over-1 upset, but they gave Duke a serious challenge, leading for 71% of the game and being up by as many as 13. Duke coach Jon Scheyer admitted Siena was more prepared.
Virginia’s Bench Hero
Virginia’s Isaac White came off the bench to score a game-high 26 points in their 82-73 victory over Wright State, sinking 10 of 12 shots.
Oakland’s Historic Blowout
Oakland secured a historic 80-point victory, winning 83-24 against Kentucky. This was the second-largest margin of victory in NCAA tournament history.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is always a whirlwind of excitement, and 2026 was no exception. These performances are just a taste of the madness to come!
