{"id":24823,"date":"2026-03-20T05:05:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T05:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/high-point-upset-double-digit-seeds\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T05:05:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T05:05:43","slug":"high-point-upset-double-digit-seeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/high-point-upset-double-digit-seeds\/","title":{"rendered":"High Point&#8217;s upset sparks four double-digit seed wins, wrecks brackets"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> On Thursday afternoon, 12th-seeded High Point stunned No. 5 Wisconsin, kicking off a day in which four double-digit seeds advanced and millions of NCAA Tournament brackets were ruined. The upset came in the first round of the men\u2019s tournament and was followed by victories from No. 11 VCU, No. 11 Texas and No. 10 Texas A&#038;M. By the close of the opening slate, fewer than 1% of entries in major bracket challenges remained perfect, underscoring how quickly March Madness can unravel expectations. The results reshuffled early narratives about favorite teams and left pool entrants scrambling to reassess picks.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>High Point, a No. 12 seed, beat No. 5 Wisconsin in a first-round upset that helped bust millions of brackets nationwide.<\/li>\n<li>Four double-digit seeds advanced on the opening day: No. 12 High Point, No. 11 VCU, No. 11 Texas and No. 10 Texas A&#038;M.<\/li>\n<li>ESPN reported just over 24,000 of its 26.5 million brackets were perfect through the first 12 games, roughly 0.09% of entries.<\/li>\n<li>VCU defeated North Carolina 82-78 in overtime; North Carolina\u2019s freshman Caleb Williams was sidelined with a broken thumb.<\/li>\n<li>Texas beat BYU 79-71 despite BYU missing Richie Saunders (torn ACL) earlier this season; the Longhorns overcame a 17-point deficit.<\/li>\n<li>Texas A&#038;M topped Saint Mary&#8217;s 63-50 while Saint Mary&#8217;s leading scorer Paulius Murauskas was limited by illness to four points in 23 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>The NCAA says the mathematical odds of a perfect bracket range from about 1 in 9.2 quintillion (coin flips) to roughly 1 in 120 billion with educated picks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The NCAA Tournament\u2019s appeal rests on its single-elimination format and the frequent upset\u2014an outcome that makes bracket pools both wildly popular and notoriously brittle. Upsets by seeds in the double digits have become a recurring March phenomenon: 12-over-5 surprises are part of bracket lore and drive much of the event\u2019s unpredictability. Millions of casual and serious fans fill out brackets each March; estimates put the total number of brackets filled annually between 60 million and 100 million, a mix of office pools, automated entries and online contests.<\/p>\n<p>Seeding is intended to reflect regular-season performance, strength of schedule and conference tournament results, but matchups and injuries can quickly alter expected outcomes. This year several contenders entered the tournament with key absences or recent form issues\u2014factors that can amplify upset risk. Tournament organizers and analysts frequently remind fans that even small statistical edges rarely translate to guaranteed results in a single-game elimination format.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>High Point\u2019s victory over Wisconsin was the day\u2019s signature upset and an early catalyst for bracket chaos. The Panthers\u2019 late three-pointer by Chase Johnston was emblematic of the kind of single-possession plays that swing first-round games, and Wisconsin\u2019s favored status did not insulate it from the volatility of March basketball. That game set the tone for a first day in which conventional seeding expectations were repeatedly challenged.<\/p>\n<p>VCU\u2019s 82-78 overtime win over North Carolina was another headline-grabbing result. North Carolina entered the game without freshman scorer Caleb Williams (broken thumb), a factor the program acknowledged, but the Tar Heels also surrendered a 19-point lead in the second half\u2014an outcome that combined personnel loss with on-court collapse. VCU\u2019s resilience in regulation and clutch execution in overtime underscored how momentum swings decide many early-round contests.<\/p>\n<p>Texas rallied past BYU 79-71 after overcoming a large deficit; BYU had been hampered all season by the earlier loss of Richie Saunders (torn ACL) and entered the tournament on a wobbly run. Meanwhile, Texas A&#038;M\u2019s 63-50 win over Saint Mary&#8217;s was influenced by Saint Mary\u2019s illness-limited leading scorer Paulius Murauskas, who managed only four points in 23 minutes. Several other near-upsets, including 16th-seeded Siena nearly holding a double-digit lead against top-seeded Duke, suggested this opening day was unusually fertile ground for surprises.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Bracket breakdowns on Thursday highlighted the razor-thin margins that separate a perfect entry from an early bust. With millions of brackets in play, even a handful of high-profile upsets can eliminate vast swaths of entries; ESPN\u2019s tally\u2014about 24,000 perfect brackets left from 26.5 million\u2014illustrates that effect numerically. For pools with large fields, a single unexpected result often decides the top prizes.<\/p>\n<p>At the team level, these results raise questions about seeding reliability and the evaluation of mid-major programs. High Point and other lower-seeded winners will gain visibility and momentum, potentially altering scouting and preparation for higher-seeded opponents in later rounds. For favored teams, early exits or shaky performances will prompt scrutiny of rotation depth, injury management and game-closing strategy.<\/p>\n<p>For broadcasters, advertisers and sportsbooks, early volatility can increase audience engagement and betting volume but also complicate modeling and liability. Upsets shift public attention and betting lines quickly; sportsbooks adjust odds game by game and may see increased action on underdogs after surprise results. Media narratives will likely emphasize Cinderella storylines, placing added spotlight on programs such as High Point and VCU.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Game<\/th>\n<th>Seed Winners<\/th>\n<th>Seed Losers<\/th>\n<th>Score<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>High Point vs. Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>No. 12 High Point<\/td>\n<td>No. 5 Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>&#8211;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>VCU vs. North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>No. 11 VCU<\/td>\n<td>North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>82-78 (OT)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Texas vs. BYU<\/td>\n<td>No. 11 Texas<\/td>\n<td>BYU<\/td>\n<td>79-71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Texas A&#038;M vs. Saint Mary&#8217;s<\/td>\n<td>No. 10 Texas A&#038;M<\/td>\n<td>Saint Mary&#8217;s<\/td>\n<td>63-50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table summarizes the prominent double-digit seed wins from the opening day; where exact scores were reported they are shown. Comparing these outcomes to historical upset rates shows that while upsets always occur, clusters of multiple double-digit seeds winning on a single opening day are especially consequential for bracket competitions. The numeric odds cited by the NCAA\u2014ranging from 1 in 9.2 quintillion for random picks to about 1 in 120 billion for educated guesses\u2014illustrate why even the most statistically savvy brackets are unlikely to survive intact through the first weekend.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Officials running major bracket contests and the NCAA framed the results in statistical and cultural terms, highlighting how rare a perfect bracket is and how quickly it can disappear.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Just over 24,000 of its 26.5 million brackets remained perfect through the first 12 games.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>ESPN (sports media report)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>ESPN\u2019s snapshot offered an immediate, quantifiable measure of bracket attrition and was widely circulated among tournament coverage. Observers used that figure to convey how many entrants lost perfection in only the tournament\u2019s opening sequence.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The NCAA estimates the chances of ending the tournament with a zero in the loss column range anywhere from one in 9.2 quintillion (if you flip a coin for every game).&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>NCAA (official estimate)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The NCAA\u2019s probabilistic framing is intended to temper expectations for perfection and to explain mathematically why perfect brackets are essentially mythical. These official statistics are repeatedly cited in media coverage to contextualize the scale of bracket challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How bracket odds are calculated<\/summary>\n<p>Bracket odds depend on assumptions about each game. A pure coin-flip model treats every game as a 50-50 event, producing 2^67 possible outcomes (about 1 in 9.2 quintillion for one exact bracket). More realistic models weight picks by seed, team metrics and injuries, which improves odds modestly but still yields astronomically low chances of perfection. The First Four reduces the count to 63 games for many pools, slightly changing but not materially improving perfect-bracket odds. Pool size and prize structure determine how consequential each upset is for winners and losers.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether any single injury (for example, Caleb Williams&#8217; broken thumb) fully explains a favored team&#8217;s loss remains unconfirmed; in-game factors and opponent performance also contributed.<\/li>\n<li>Details about Siena&#8217;s near-upset over Duke (specific lead and final sequence) were widely reported but some play-by-play elements remain to be corroborated in official box scores.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The opening day of this NCAA Tournament reinforced why March Madness is the country\u2019s premier single-elimination spectacle: unexpected results can cascade quickly, toppling millions of carefully constructed brackets in a matter of hours. Four double-digit seeds advancing on the first day is a notable pattern that will reshape storylines, from Cinderella runs to questions about higher seeds\u2019 form and depth.<\/p>\n<p>For bracket players, the early carnage is a reminder that variance dominates single-game outcomes and that resilience and matchup planning matter for teams that hope to advance. Fans and analysts should expect the narrative to keep shifting\u2014upsets can create new favorites and force favorites to reframe their path to later rounds.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-4523b2747fb71d73c1ab8bee2134e666\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AP News \u2014 Tournament coverage and game reports (news media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/ncaa-mens-bracket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AP News \u2014 NCAA men&#8217;s bracket hub (news media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/march-madness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AP News \u2014 March Madness hub (news media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN \u2014 bracket challenge reporting (sports media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCAA \u2014 official bracket challenge and statistics (official)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: On Thursday afternoon, 12th-seeded High Point stunned No. 5 Wisconsin, kicking off a day in which four double-digit seeds advanced and millions of NCAA Tournament brackets were ruined. The upset came in the first round of the men\u2019s tournament and was followed by victories from No. 11 VCU, No. 11 Texas and No. 10 &#8230; <a title=\"High Point&#8217;s upset sparks four double-digit seed wins, wrecks brackets\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/high-point-upset-double-digit-seeds\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about High Point&#8217;s upset sparks four double-digit seed wins, wrecks brackets\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"High Point's upset sparks four double-digit seed wins | NewsBrief","rank_math_description":"High Point\u2019s 12-seed shock of No. 5 Wisconsin ignited four double-digit seed wins on opening day, wiping out millions of NCAA brackets and reshaping early March Madness narratives.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"High Point,double-digit seeds,March Madness,bracket busting,NCAA","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24823\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}