High Point’s Dramatic Upset Ignites Bracket Chaos with Four Double-Digit Seed Victories in March Madness 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. — In a thrilling first-round shocker at the Moda Center, No. 12 seed High Point University stunned No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday, capping off a chaotic opening to the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament marked by four stunning wins from double-digit seeds.
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The upset, highlighted by guard Chase Johnston’s clutch go-ahead layup with just 11.2 seconds remaining, not only busted millions of March Madness brackets but also marked the first victory for a Big South team in the tournament since Radford’s First Four win in 2018.[1] High Point, a 10.5-point underdog and one of only two 30-win teams not seeded in the top three, joined a rare surge of lower seeds toppling higher-ranked opponents on Day 1.[1]
Johnston’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Chase Johnston, known primarily for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, etched his name into March Madness lore with a performance for the ages. Entering the game 0-for-4 on two-point attempts for the entire season, the Panthers’ guard delivered when it mattered most. Trailing by two in the final minute, Johnston received a pinpoint pass from teammate Rob Martin after a defensive rebound and drove to the basket for the bucket that put High Point ahead for good.[1]
“It’s a feeling you can’t put into words,” Johnston said postgame. “To be on this stage and play a game like this is something you dream about.”[1]
Johnston’s journey to glory wasn’t just the layup. With High Point down eight midway through the second half, he drained a 3-pointer from deep — dubbed “from the logo” — to ignite the comeback. He followed with two more triples before his game-winner, showcasing why the Panthers force turnovers at an elite rate on both ends of the floor.[1][3]
A Run of Double-Digit Seed Dominance
High Point’s victory kicked off what has been dubbed a “run of 4 wins by double-digit seeds,” shattering the hopes of bracket perfectionists worldwide. While specifics on the other three upsets were still rippling through tournament coverage, the collective impact was immediate: millions of entries in major bracket challenges saw their perfect runs end abruptly.[2]
High Point, hailing from the Big South Conference, became the first team from the league to defeat a higher seed in the round of 64 since No. 11 Winthrop toppled No. 5 Notre Dame in 2007. Their high-octane offense, averaging 90 points per game, overwhelmed Wisconsin despite the Badgers’ reputation for ball security and sharp shooting from guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd.[1][3][4]
Pre-Tournament Buzz Proves Prophetic
Analysts had flagged High Point vs. Wisconsin as a potential upset brewing. ESPN’s Giant Killers model pegged the Panthers’ chances at 24%, the highest for any 12-seed in the first round, citing their turnover-forcing prowess — top-five nationally on both ends — and ability to score 21 points per game off opponents’ mistakes.[3] Pundits like those on LJ8 Sports previews echoed the sentiment, predicting a high-scoring affair where High Point’s cruising offense could exploit the Badgers.[4]
Miami (Ohio), another 30-win powerhouse snubbed from top seeds, also pulled off an upset in their opener, adding to the narrative of undervalued mid-majors rising up.[1][3]
Fan Frenzy and Historical Context
Excitement was palpable among High Point faithful, with fan reactions capturing the electric atmosphere as the Panthers advanced to face a West Region foe in the second round.[4] This marks a breakthrough for a program that entered the tournament as cruise-control scorers, now reveling in the spotlight.
The 2026 tournament, already living up to its “March Madness” moniker, saw these double-digit seeds defy odds in a first round ripe for chaos. High Point’s resilience — overcoming deficits and leaning on stars like Johnston and Martin — exemplifies why the NCAA Tournament remains the pinnacle of unpredictability in college basketball.
Looking Ahead
With brackets in tatters and Cinderella stories emerging, attention shifts to the second round. High Point, buoyed by their historic win, prepares for the next challenge, while Wisconsin laments a heartbreaking exit. As the tournament progresses, these upsets remind fans why filling out a perfect bracket is the sport’s ultimate impossibility.
In a sport dominated by blue-blood programs, days like Thursday affirm that any team, any seed, can spark magic under the bright lights.