Top 10 Buzzer-Beaters and Game-Winners of 2026 March Madness

From last-second shots to overtime drama, these are the most iconic moments that have defined the 2026 NCAA Tournament so far.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:51am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dramatic motion and energy of a basketball player taking a game-winning shot, the scene broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vivid color.A cubist interpretation of the thrilling final moments that have defined the 2026 NCAA Tournament so far.Vanderbilt Today

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has been filled with thrilling buzzer-beaters and game-winning shots that have captured the drama and excitement of March Madness. USA TODAY has ranked the top 10 most iconic moments from the tournament so far, including a last-second layup to send a team to the Sweet 16, an overtime 3-pointer that knocked out the defending champions, and a prayer shot that punched a ticket to the Final Four.

Why it matters

Buzzer-beaters and dramatic game-winning shots are what make March Madness one of the most captivating sporting events each year. These moments create lifelong memories for fans and players alike, cementing the legacies of the athletes involved. As the tournament reaches its climactic Final Four, these top 10 plays have already etched their place in March Madness history.

The details

The list of top plays includes a mix of last-second game-winners, overtime heroics, and clutch shots that turned the tide of close contests. Highlights include TCU's Xavier Edmonds beating Ohio State with a buzzer-beater in the first round, VCU's Terrence Hill Jr. draining a 3-pointer in overtime to upset North Carolina, and Braylon Mullins' prayer shot that sent UConn to the Final Four. Other plays that made the top 10 came from schools like High Point, Purdue, Texas, and St. John's.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament is currently in the Final Four stage, with the national semifinals scheduled for April 4 and the national championship game on April 6.
  • The top 10 buzzer-beaters and game-winners highlighted occurred throughout the first three rounds of the tournament, from the opening First Four games to the Elite Eight.

The players

Xavier Edmonds

A guard for TCU who hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Ohio State in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Chase Johnston

A player for High Point University who made a game-winning layup to upset Wisconsin in the first round.

Terrence Hill Jr.

A guard for VCU who hit a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to knock off North Carolina, who had blown a 19-point lead.

Braden Frager

A player for Nebraska who hit a game-winning shot to send his team to the Sweet 16 in a classic matchup against Vanderbilt.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A forward for Purdue who made a putback layup to lift his team past Texas and into the Elite Eight.

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What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will continue with the Final Four on April 4, followed by the national championship game on April 6. Fans will be eager to see if any more iconic buzzer-beaters or game-winning shots are added to the list of top plays from this year's tournament.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has already produced a remarkable number of thrilling, last-second shots that have captured the drama and excitement of March Madness. These top 10 plays have become instant classics, showcasing the talent and clutch performance of players from both powerhouse programs and Cinderella stories. As the tournament reaches its climactic Final Four, fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see if any more iconic moments are added to the list.