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High Point is riding high after its first March Madness victory in school history.
The 12th-seeded Panthers came back from a doubleheader to take down No. 5 Wisconsin in the tournament’s first upset in a thrilling 83-82 victory.
High Point didn’t have many opportunities to gain national recognition, as its entire program was dominated by middle schools.
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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman celebrates after the High Point Panthers upset the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Moda Center on March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (Photos by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA via Getty Images)
But head coach Flynn Clayman called out the Power Four schools for seemingly avoiding High Point and others midway through the season.
“It seems obvious to me that the top players need to play in the mid-majors at the beginning of the season. Because they say we’re not playing anyone. We’re playing someone now,” Clayman said shortly after the win.
“I know how good a team we are. But no one can play with us, as they won’t play with Miami (Ohio). But they have to play with us in this tournament.”
Head coach Flynn Clayman of the High Point Panthers is greeted by guard Scotty Washington and forward Terry Anderson after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Moda Center on March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (Photos by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA via Getty Images)
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High Point guard Chase Johnston hit the game-winning basket with 11.7 seconds left on a breakaway after Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd missed a layup that would have put the Badgers up 84-81. High Point guard Rob Martin grabbed the rebound and fired a low shot to the trailing Johnston. Amazingly, Johnston’s layup was his first two-point basket of the season.
After Johnston’s bucket gave High Point the lead, Owen Aquino blocked Boyd’s drive. Panthers’ Cam’Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed a free throw, giving the Badgers a chance with 1.8 seconds left, but Andrew Rohde’s long pass was intercepted by Terry Anderson, and the celebration was for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.
High Point earned a spot in the tournament by winning the Big South title for the second straight season. This was the first March Madness win for the Panthers, who lost to Purdue in the first round last year.
Braden Hausen of the High Point Panthers celebrates a block with teammate Terry Anderson against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Moda Center on March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
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Johnston finished with 14 points, including four 3-pointers for the Panthers, who were under 10.5 points.
Ryan Canfield of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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