UNC Suffers Historic Collapse, Loses to VCU in March Madness Upset

We find losses, and then there are collapses. North Carolina experienced the latter in agonizing fashion on Thursday, blowing a 19-point second-half lead to No. 11 seed VCU, falling 82-78 in overtime. The defeat marks the sixth-worst collapse in Round of 64 history and caps a disastrous month for the Tar Heels, ending their season in a stunning upset.

For the first 30 minutes, North Carolina appeared to be in control, utilizing a potent transition attack to build a comfortable lead. Henri Veesaar’s three-pointer extended the advantage to 15 with less than 10 minutes remaining. But then, defense became optional, and the offensive execution faltered spectacularly.

VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. Ignited a furious comeback, scoring 14 of his game-high 34 points in the final nine minutes of regulation to force overtime. North Carolina, meanwhile, endured 11 empty possessions in 13 opportunities to close out the game. Missed free throws proved costly, including one from senior Seth Trimble with 29 seconds left. A fumbled possession on the final play of regulation sealed their fate.

The Tar Heels failed to score a single field goal in overtime, and even had a chance to force double-overtime, but Veesaar’s free throws clanked off the rim. Caleb Wilson, visibly dejected, buried his face in his hands, a fitting image for a season that spiraled downward.

This loss brings a fitting end to a disastrous season for North Carolina. The year began with promise, fueled by the exceptional play of Caleb Wilson, but was marred by a series of unfortunate injuries. Trimble suffered a broken arm in a weight-room accident, and Wilson himself endured a pair of hand fractures. The culmination of these setbacks, combined with a 26-42 record in Quad 1 games, has raised serious questions about the future of head coach Hubert Davis.

Wisconsin Stunned by High Point

North Carolina wasn’t the only higher seed to fall on Thursday. Wisconsin’s season came to a shocking end at the hands of High Point, 83-82. The Panthers orchestrated a stunning rally, erasing an eight-point deficit in the closing minutes. Nick Boyd, despite a momentary lapse, finished with 27 points, six assists, and five rebounds, but it was the audacious lefty’s late-game heroics that ultimately propelled High Point to victory.

Wisconsin, led by a combined 49 points from John Blackwell and Boyd, shot 39% from three-point range. Despite a strong offensive performance, the Badgers were unable to hold on as High Point flipped the script in the second half.

Siena Gives Duke a Scare

While Duke managed to avoid an upset, their first-round matchup against Siena was far from easy. The Blue Devils trailed by as many as 13 points before ultimately prevailing 71-65. Siena, despite being outmatched in terms of talent, displayed remarkable resilience and led 43-32 at halftime. They continued to challenge Duke deep into the second half, leading 61-56 with 7:34 remaining.

Freshman Cayden Boozer emerged as a key contributor for Duke, scoring 19 points and dishing out five assists without a single turnover. His poise and basketball IQ were on full display, particularly in transition.

High Point Completes Upset Over Wisconsin

Chase Johnston, a sixth-year senior, etched his name into High Point lore with a game-winning layup that sealed the Panthers’ 83-82 victory over Wisconsin. Johnston also drained three crucial three-pointers in the final minutes, finishing with a stellar performance.

Nebraska Achieves Historic First

Nebraska secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, dominating Troy 76-47. The Cornhuskers’ 39-point margin of victory was the largest in program history for a first-round game. Pryce Sandfort led the way with 23 points, connecting on seven three-pointers. Nebraska will now face Vanderbilt in the second round.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Nebraska, a program that had previously struggled in the NCAA Tournament. Seventh-year coach Fred Hoiberg has steadily built the program into a competitive force.

Saint Louis Dominates Georgia

Saint Louis delivered a resounding performance, defeating Georgia 102-77. Nine players scored at least seven points for the Billikens, who shot an impressive 75% from two-point range. The victory showcased Saint Louis’s balanced attack and offensive prowess.

South Florida Falls Short Against Louisville

Despite a late rally, South Florida was unable to overcome a woeful shooting performance, falling to Louisville 83-79. The Bulls shot just 5 of 33 from beyond the arc, a season-low percentage. Louisville’s Isaac McKneely led all scorers with 23 points, connecting on 7 of 10 three-pointers.

TCU Advances to Face Duke

TCU held off a late charge from Ohio State, securing a 66-64 victory. Bruce Thornton’s potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out, sending the Horned Frogs into the second round. TCU will now face Duke in a highly anticipated matchup.

Duke Survives Siena Scare

Duke forward Maliq Brown admitted the Blue Devils expected an easy win against Siena, but the game proved to be anything but. Siena’s strong first-half performance and relentless effort pushed Duke to the brink. Cayden Boozer’s emergence as a key offensive threat was crucial in helping Duke avoid a monumental upset.

Arkansas Freshmen Shine

Arkansas’s highly touted freshmen, Darius Acuff Jr. And Meleek Thomas, made a significant impact in their NCAA Tournament debuts. Acuff scored 24 points and dished out seven assists, while Thomas added 21 points and five assists. The duo combined to score 45 of Arkansas’s 83 points.

Saint Mary’s Season Ends with a Whimper

Saint Mary’s season came to an end with a disappointing 63-50 loss to Texas A&M. The Gaels struggled offensively, shooting poorly from the field and committing 18 turnovers. Paulius Murauskas, Saint Mary’s leading scorer, was limited due to illness.

BYU Falls to Texas

Despite a stellar performance from AJ Dybantsa, who scored 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, BYU fell to Texas 79-71. The Cougars struggled to find consistent offense beyond Dybantsa, and their season came to an end in the first round.