Mar 20, 2026 — Day 1 produced upsets, blowouts and standout performances. Short recaps of each game, who’s next and a quick take on how winners can reach the Sweet 16.
VCU 82, North Carolina 78 (OT)
How VCU won: The Rams erased a 19-point second-half deficit and forced OT. Terrence Hill Jr. poured in 34 with five assists and five rebounds, hitting the go-ahead 3 in OT as UNC missed the final nine shots.
Next opponent: Illinois
Path to Sweet 16: VCU needs another huge Hill outing plus steady play from Lazar Djokovic, sustained second-half intensity for 40 minutes, and an ability to disrupt Illinois’ offensive efficiency.
Duke 71, Siena 65
How Duke won: Top-seed Duke climbed back from a big halftime hole with tougher defense and finishing plays inside. Cameron Boozer had 22 and 13 boards; Cayden Boozer added 19.
Next opponent: TCU
Path to Sweet 16: Duke must replicate late-game defense, ignite Isaiah Evans in transition, and lean on interior scoring. Availability and perimeter spacing hinge on Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II.
High Point 83, Wisconsin 82
How High Point won: The Panthers rallied after an early deficit and closed with clutch plays. Rob Martin posted 23 and 10 assists; Chase Johnston hit the go-ahead layup.
Next opponent: Arkansas
Path to Sweet 16: High Point must push the pace, knock down perimeter shots and force turnovers. Limiting Arkansas’ driving guards and exploiting any rotation gaps will be key.
TCU 66, Ohio State 64
How TCU won: TCU led big at halftime, withstanding a late Ohio State surge and finishing on a feed to Xavier Edmonds in the closing seconds. David Punch had 16 and 13 boards.
Next opponent: Duke
Path to Sweet 16: Attack Duke’s paint, secure rebounds and hit timely threes. Interior scoring and defensive rebounding will offset Duke’s length and transition threat.
Texas 79, BYU 71
How Texas won: Texas controlled early despite AJ Dybantsa’s 35 for BYU in his freshman debut; Matas Vokietaitis had 23 and 16 rebounds. Jordan Pope hit a late corner 3.
Next opponent: Gonzaga
Path to Sweet 16: Texas must protect the rim vs. Gonzaga’s inside game, contest Graham Ike, win the rebound battle, and lean on transition scoring and Dybantsa’s shot-making.
Louisville 83, South Florida 79
How Louisville won: Louisville’s long-range barrage (13-of-25) and Isaac McKneely’s 7-of-10 from deep (23 points) staved off a late USF push.
Next opponent: Michigan State
Path to Sweet 16: Louisville needs to limit offensive rebounds, keep hitting threes and have key contributors available. Perimeter accuracy and defensive toughness on the glass will decide it.
Gonzaga 73, Kennesaw State 64
How Gonzaga won: A 17-4 second-half run separated the Zags, with Graham Ike (19) and bench scoring from Davis Fogle (17) and solid rebounding and free-throw trips.
Next opponent: Texas
Path to Sweet 16: Gonzaga must win the paint and free-throw margin, feed Ike inside, control boards and force Texas into contested outside shots or foul trouble.
Vanderbilt 78, McNeese 68
How Vanderbilt won: Post play (34-22 in paint) and Devin McGlockton’s efficient inside scoring erased McNeese’s early lead; Tyler Tanner finished with 25.
Next opponent: Nebraska
Path to Sweet 16: Vanderbilt needs Tanner to keep scoring and must limit Nebraska’s deep shooting. Attacking the glass and slowing perimeter shooters will be crucial.
Texas A&M 63, Saint Mary’s 50
How Texas A&M won: A&M’s pressure defense created 18 turnovers and stifled Saint Mary’s early; Rashaun Agee led with 22 as A&M controlled inside and out.
Next opponent: Houston
Path to Sweet 16: Texas A&M must dictate tempo, provoke miscues with its high-pressure style and convert transition opportunities to disrupt Houston’s ball control approach.
Michigan State 92, North Dakota State 67
How Michigan State won: The Spartans shot 59%, dominated the glass and showcased depth; Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the offense with multiple assists.
Next opponent: Louisville
Path to Sweet 16: MSU should exploit frontcourt depth and offensive rebounding, get Fears downhill for high-percentage plays and pressure Louisville on the offensive glass.
Nebraska 76, Troy 47
How Nebraska won: Nebraska notched its first NCAA tournament victory, draining seven threes from Pryce Sandfort, converting second-chance points and forcing 17 turnovers.
Next opponent: Vanderbilt
Path to Sweet 16: Nebraska’s defense needs to contain Tyler Tanner and disrupt Vanderbilt’s perimeter flow. Continued outside shooting, offensive rebounding and energy will be decisive.
Arkansas 97, Hawai‘i 78
How Arkansas won: The Razorbacks jumped early and dominated the paint (64-40) behind Darius Acuff Jr. (24) and Meleek Thomas (21) in a balanced scoring attack.
Next opponent: High Point
Path to Sweet 16: Arkansas wants a fast, high-scoring contest—protect the ball, control the paint and limit High Point’s perimeter shooting to advance.
Illinois 105, Penn 70
How Illinois won: Illinois overwhelmed Penn with size and efficiency; David Mirkovic posted 28 and 17 rebounds while the Illini poured in 44 paint points and 15 threes.
Next opponent: VCU
Path to Sweet 16: Illinois can ride its top offense and size advantage. Maintaining efficiency, guarding the paint and forcing turnovers should keep them on track.
Saint Louis 102, Georgia 77
How Saint Louis won: The Billikens dominated inside (66 paint points) and got balanced scoring with six players in double figures while Georgia couldn’t find offense.
Next opponent: Michigan
Path to Sweet 16: Saint Louis must keep its inside-out game humming, attack Michigan’s bigs with screens and sustain paint scoring plus reliable perimeter shooting.
Houston 78, Idaho 47
How Houston won: The Cougars controlled the paint and boards, led by freshman Kingston Flemings (18), and defended consistently to build a lopsided win.
Next opponent: Texas A&M
Path to Sweet 16: Houston’s guard discipline and offensive rebounding will be key; protecting the ball and winning second-chance points while disrupting A&M’s pressure is essential.
Michigan 101, Howard 80
How Michigan won: After a tight first half, Michigan pulled away with 67% shooting and strong contributions from Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, plus a rebounding edge.
Next opponent: Saint Louis
Path to Sweet 16: Michigan should use its size to limit Saint Louis inside, control the paint and force perimeter shots. If they protect the rim and hit threes, they’re favored.
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