As anyone who has watched an NCAA basketball tournament will confirm, one doesn't have to wait long during March Madness to see legends and Cinderellas emerge. And it almost always starts in the first round.
Going into this year's tournament, we've seen the 15 seed beat the 2 seed 11 times in the men's tournament, and the 16 seed beat the 1 seed just twice.
12 seeds beating 5 seeds is actually quite common on the men's side, happening 57 times, according to NCAA.com, which also notes that "The 12-5 upset is one of the most popular March Madness picks each year — and for good reason. It's happened quite a few times since the NCAA tournament field expanded in 1985. In 2025, both McNeese and Colorado St. won as No. 12 seeds."
As a Duke fan (sorry, not sorry), I've experienced my fair share of highs and lows throughout the years when March Madness rolls around, with the embarrassing championship game loss to UNLV (103-73) in 1990 probably being the lowest low and their thrilling, buzzer-beater victories (waves at Kentucky fans!) being among the highs.
Their last championship was in 2015, when they beat the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63.
Thankfully, Duke, ranked the number 1 overall seed in this year's tournament, escaped an upset by the 16th-seeded Siena Saints (NY) in the first round, winning 71-65 after being down by double digits. But Wisconsin, a 5 seed that was considered one of the hotter teams in the tournament, fell to the 12th seed High Point (NC) Panthers in a nailbiter, with the final score being 83-82.
This game was fun to watch from start to finish, with several lead changes and players on both teams who were in absolute beast mode.
Panthers guard Chase Johnston came off the bench and was clutch, hitting four of six three-pointers, which is his specialty. Throughout the entire season, Johnston only attempted four two-pointers and missed all four.
High Point’s Chase Johnston is a 3-point SPECIALIST 🎯
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 19, 2026
Johnston has made 68 3-point shots this season and ZERO (0) 2-pointers 😱
Johnston has made 4 more triples today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uLDmp2eG9f
But in the final seconds of the game against Wisconsin, Johnston scored his only two-pointer of the year, a layup... which ultimately ended up being the winning shot.
FIRST 2-POINTER OF THE YEAR FOR CHASE JOHNSTON 😱
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2026
HIGH POINT LEADS!!! pic.twitter.com/N2ZWYSb9Dz
It was their first March Madness win in team history.
In a post-game interview, Johnston was asked about the shot. But he didn't make it about himself. He gave glory to God and his teammates.
"First and foremost, I wanna give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," an elated Johnston stated. "It's been an unbelievable season. We’re a group of guys that's built on John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we’d die for each other. I'm so grateful. Thank you so much."
Watch:
Chase Johnston had not hit a 2-pointer ALL SEASON until the eventual game-winning layup for High Point.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 19, 2026
"It felt great." pic.twitter.com/tqMksdzV8v
John 15:13 states: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Johnston also had Acts 20:24 written on his shoes:
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
High Point G Chase Johnston hit the game-winning bucket in their upset win vs Wisconsin with Acts 20:24 on his shoe.
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) March 19, 2026
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to… pic.twitter.com/KUNghYGwwA
Good priorities. This dude's got 'em.
High Point will face off next against the Arkansas Razorbacks (4) on Saturday. Will the Panthers keep dancing? We'll find out soon enough.
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