In one of the first-round nail-biters of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats overcame a resilient Santa Clara Broncos in overtime, 89–84, in Lexington. The Wildcats trailed by seven points entering the final five minutes of regulation before a clutch three-pointer from Otega Oweh tied the game and forced overtime.
Oweh finished with 35 points, including eight rebounds and five assists, cementing his status as a tournament standout. Kentucky head coach Mark Few praised the team’s resilience, noting that the win against a lower-seeded, defensively aggressive opponent bodes well for the challenging path ahead in the second round. Santa Clara’s balanced attack, led by guard Marcus Jefferson with 28 points, kept the game competitive, highlighting the depth of mid-major talent this season.
With the victory, Kentucky advances to face Illinois in the second round, where analysts predict a hard-fought matchup between two high-powered offenses. The Wildcats’ overtime escape marks another thrilling entry into March Madness lore, reminding fans that no seed is guaranteed a smooth path in the tournament.
VCU Pulls Off Dramatic First-Round Upset Over North Carolina
In a shocking NCAA first-round result, VCU defeated No. 6-seed North Carolina 82–78 in overtime, marking one of the tournament’s most memorable upsets. Trailing by 19 points in the first half, the Rams staged a furious comeback behind sharpshooter Darnell Miles, who scored 30 points, including four three-pointers in the final five minutes.
North Carolina, despite a stellar performance from forward Jerome Fields with 26 points, was unable to contain VCU’s relentless perimeter shooting and defensive pressure. Rams coach Mike Rhoades lauded the team’s perseverance, noting that such comebacks exemplify the excitement of March Madness.
The upset sends VCU into the Round of 32 against Duke, setting up a clash between a resilient underdog and a top-seeded powerhouse. Analysts say the game reinforces the unpredictability of the NCAA bracket, where high seeds must remain vigilant against determined lower-ranked programs.
Texas Shocks BYU, Ends Dybantsa’s NCAA Run
The first round of March Madness also saw 11-seed Texas upset No. 6 BYU 79–71, ending the tournament bid of BYU star AJ Dybantsa, who had been a first-round favorite for standout performances. Texas guard Marcus Allen led the Longhorns with 27 points and eight rebounds, delivering a balanced offensive attack that overwhelmed BYU’s defense.
BYU, who had counted on Dybantsa’s scoring and leadership to carry them through, was unable to adjust to Texas’ fast-paced transition game and deep bench rotation. The Longhorns’ victory highlights March Madness’ capacity for upsets, as lower-seeded teams frequently rise to the occasion against more established programs. Texas now prepares to face Alabama in the second round, in a game expected to be a high-intensity test for both squads.