High Point Looks to Repeat March Madness Upset

The Panthers and star player Chase Johnston aim to build on their first-round victory over Wisconsin.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:37am

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After pulling off a surprise first-round NCAA Tournament win over fifth-seeded Wisconsin, the No. 12 seed High Point Panthers and their breakout star Chase Johnston will now look to keep their March Madness run going in the West Region.

Why it matters

High Point's victory over a higher-seeded team was one of the biggest upsets of the opening round, busting many brackets and capturing the attention of college basketball fans. The Panthers now have a chance to build on that momentum and potentially make an even deeper tournament run.

The details

In the first-round matchup, High Point guard Chase Johnston led the way with a standout performance, scoring 23 points and hitting several key shots down the stretch to help the Panthers secure the upset victory over Wisconsin.

  • High Point defeated Wisconsin in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 20.

The players

High Point Panthers

The men's basketball team from High Point University, a private university located in High Point, North Carolina.

Chase Johnston

A guard for the High Point Panthers who had a breakout performance in the team's first-round NCAA Tournament upset over Wisconsin.

Wisconsin

The men's basketball team from the University of Wisconsin, a fifth-seeded team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We're not done yet. This is just the beginning for us.”

— Chase Johnston, High Point Guard

What’s next

High Point will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Gonzaga and Texas in the West Region second round on March 22.

The takeaway

High Point's upset victory over Wisconsin has captivated college basketball fans and given the Panthers a chance to potentially make an even deeper run in the NCAA Tournament, defying expectations and continuing to bust brackets.