Mar 20, 2026 — The first round delivered upsets, blowouts and big performances. Below are concise recaps of all 16 Day 1 games, each winner’s next opponent and a short take on how they 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 overtime. Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 with five assists and five rebounds, hitting a go-ahead 3 with 15 seconds left in OT. UNC missed its final nine shots and missed critical free throws in OT.
Second-round opponent: Illinois
How VCU can advance: VCU needs another superhuman showing from Hill and consistent contributions from Lazar Djokovic to slow Illinois’ elite offense. They must sustain the second-half urgency for 40 minutes and limit Illinois’ efficiency.
Duke 71, Siena 65
How Duke won: Top-seed Duke rallied from a large halftime deficit, tightening defense in the second half and closing out a competitive Siena squad. Cameron Boozer had 22 points and 13 rebounds; Cayden Boozer added 19.
Second-round opponent: TCU
How Duke can advance: Duke must replicate its second-half defensive intensity, get Isaiah Evans going in transition, and rely on Boozer’s interior play. Health/availability of Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II will affect perimeter spacing and rim protection.
High Point 83, Wisconsin 82
How High Point won: The Panthers overcame an early Wisconsin lead, closed strong and secured their first NCAA tournament win. Rob Martin (23 pts, 10 ast) and two teammates finished with double-doubles; Chase Johnston hit the go-ahead layup.
Second-round opponent: Arkansas
How High Point can advance: High Point must push the tempo, knock down perimeter shots and force Arkansas turnovers. They’ll need to limit Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas driving and exploit any Arkansas rotation lapses on the perimeter.
TCU 66, Ohio State 64
How TCU won: TCU led by 15 at the half, survived an Ohio State rally and sealed it on a David Punch feed to Xavier Edmonds with four seconds left. Punch finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Second-round opponent: Duke
How TCU can advance: Attack the paint against Duke — especially if Patrick Ngongba II is limited — and secure rebounds. TCU must hit timely threes and replicate efficient inside scoring to counter Duke’s length and transition.
Texas 79, BYU 71
How Texas won: Texas controlled the game from the start despite AJ Dybantsa’s 35 points (freshman debut). Matas Vokietaitis had 23 and 16 rebounds; Jordan Pope hit a key corner 3 late.
Second-round opponent: Gonzaga
How Texas can advance: Texas must protect the rim and contain Gonzaga’s paint game, particularly Graham Ike. If Matas Vokietaitis can contest inside and Texas defends the glass, their transition offense and Dybantsa’s scoring give them a path.
Louisville 83, South Florida 79
How Louisville won: Louisville survived a late South Florida surge behind Isaac McKneely, who made 7-of-10 3s (23 pts). Louisville’s long-range shooting (13-for-25) overcame the Bulls’ late push.
Second-round opponent: Michigan State
How Louisville can advance: Louisville must limit offensive rebounds (South Florida grabbed 18) and keep hitting threes. Against Michigan State, perimeter accuracy and defending the offensive glass will be decisive — availability of Mikel Brown Jr. matters.
Gonzaga 73, Kennesaw State 64
How Gonzaga won: Gonzaga pulled away with a 17-4 second-half run and closed out despite a late Kennesaw push. Graham Ike led with 19; Davis Fogle added 17 off the bench. The Zags went to the line often and won the rebound battle.
Second-round opponent: Texas
How Gonzaga can advance: The paint battle and free-throw margin will decide this one. Gonzaga must feed Ike inside, rebound strongly and force Texas into foul trouble or contested shots to negate AJ Dybantsa’s scoring.
Vanderbilt 78, McNeese 68
How Vanderbilt won: Vanderbilt’s post dominance (34-22 in the paint) and Devin McGlockton’s perfect inside night helped erase an early McNeese lead. Tyler Tanner scored 25, including 17 in the second half.
Second-round opponent: Nebraska
How Vanderbilt can advance: Vanderbilt needs Tanner to stay hot and must limit Nebraska’s perimeter barrage. Success attacking the glass and defending Nebraska’s 3-point threats will be crucial.
Texas A&M 63, Saint Mary’s 50
How Texas A&M won: A&M’s pressure defense forced 18 turnovers and held Saint Mary’s to 26 first-half points. Rashaun Agee scored 22; the Aggies dominated inside and on the defensive end.
Second-round opponent: Houston
How A&M can advance: Texas A&M must force tempo, create turnovers and execute its high-pressure style (Bucky Ball) to disrupt Houston’s care-with-the-ball approach. Winning the pace battle and converting in transition are essential.
Michigan State 92, North Dakota State 67
How Michigan State won: The Spartans shot efficiently (59%) and dominated the frontcourt, outrebounding NDSU while Jeremy Fears Jr. recorded double-digit assists. Michigan State’s depth and finishing power carried them.
Second-round opponent: Louisville
How Michigan State can advance: Michigan State should leverage its frontcourt depth and offensive rebound prowess against Louisville, pressuring the Cardinals on the glass and getting Jeremy Fears Jr. downhill to create high-percentage looks.
Nebraska 76, Troy 47
How Nebraska won: Nebraska recorded its program’s first NCAA tournament win, drilling seven 3s from Pryce Sandfort and turning rebounds into 19 second-chance points while forcing 17 turnovers.
Second-round opponent: Vanderbilt
How Nebraska can advance: Nebraska’s stingy defense must limit Tyler Tanner and disrupt Vanderbilt’s perimeter rhythm. Continued deep shooting from Sandfort, offensive rebounding and defensive intensity can send Nebraska to its first Sweet 16.
Arkansas 97, Hawai‘i 78
How Arkansas won: Arkansas jumped to a big early lead and dominated the paint (64-40), with Darius Acuff Jr. (24) and Meleek Thomas (21) pacing a balanced attack despite poor 3-point shooting.
Second-round opponent: High Point
How Arkansas can advance: Arkansas wants a fast, high-scoring game. If Acuff and Thomas protect the ball and the Razorbacks control the paint and limit High Point’s hot perimeter shooting, Arkansas should move on.
Illinois 105, Penn 70
How Illinois won: Illinois overwhelmed Penn with size and offense; David Mirkovic posted 28 and 17 rebounds, while the Illini scored 44 points in the paint and hit 15 threes overall.
Second-round opponent: VCU
How Illinois can advance: Illinois can advance by running its top-ranked offense again and using size to dominate inside. If they sustain their high efficiency and force turnovers, they’re well-positioned to handle VCU.
Saint Louis 102, Georgia 77
How Saint Louis won: The Billikens controlled the game from start to finish, scoring 66 points in the paint and getting six players into double figures. Georgia’s offense struggled all game.
Second-round opponent: Michigan
How Saint Louis can advance: Saint Louis must continue its inside-out efficiency and attack Michigan’s bigs with ball screens and perimeter shooting. Sustained paint scoring and perimeter accuracy will be required to test Michigan’s size.
Houston 78, Idaho 47
How Houston won: Houston dominated the paint (36-16) and rebounding, led by freshman Kingston Flemings (18). The Cougars overwhelmed Idaho across the board and forced consistent stops.
Second-round opponent: Texas A&M
How Houston can advance: Houston’s disciplined guards and offensive rebounding should withstand A&M’s pressure if they protect the ball and control second-chance opportunities. Forcing A&M out of its preferred tempo helps Houston dictate the game.
Michigan 101, Howard 80
How Michigan won: Michigan pulled away after a tight first half, shooting 67% overall and getting dominant efforts from Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara (combined 40 points). Michigan also led on the boards.
Second-round opponent: Saint Louis
How Michigan can advance: Michigan can use its size to limit Saint Louis inside and force the Billikens to settle for threes. If Michigan controls the paint, hits perimeter shots and defends the rim, it should reach the Sweet 16.
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