The opening round of the men’s NCAA tournament delivered plenty of excitement, marked by unexpected victories and memorable individual performances. Teams like Howard and Siena nearly pulled off significant upsets, while High Point secured a historic win against Wisconsin. Beyond the final scores, these games provided highlights that captured the spirit and personality of March Madness, even if they didn’t always show up in the statistics.

A standout moment came from High Point’s Chase Johnston, whose crucial layup in the closing seconds secured their 83-82 upset over Wisconsin. This particular basket was noteworthy as it was Johnston’s only two-point field goal of the entire season. He typically operates from beyond the arc, having attempted 138 three-pointers during the regular season with impressive efficiency.

Johnston’s game-winning shot was a rare departure from his usual play, as he made five of his seven field goal attempts in the game. Four of those makes were three-pointers, showcasing his consistent long-range shooting ability. The final, decisive basket proved that his offensive game is more versatile than his season statistics might suggest, especially under pressure.

High Point’s victory marked their first ever in the NCAA tournament, a significant achievement for the program. Head coach Flynn Clayman emphasized the competitive nature of mid-major teams, asserting they can challenge any Power 4 program. He voiced frustration that such matchups are not more common during the regular season, highlighting the tournament as the stage for these programs to prove their worth.

Clayman’s postgame comments underscored a broader sentiment among mid-major coaches about the importance of playing against top-tier competition. He argued that opponents who avoid playing these teams during the regular season are missing an opportunity to gauge their own strength and give deserving programs a platform. This win for High Point serves as a powerful testament to their capabilities on the national stage.