The 2026 NCAA tournament's first round delivered unforgettable moments, from High Point's upset victory over Wisconsin to Siena's gutsy performance against Duke. High Point's Chase Johnston sealed the 83-82 win with a dramatic finger roll in the final seconds, marking his first 2-point field goal of the entire season. The senior guard had attempted 143 field goals this year, with 138 coming from beyond the arc.

Howard made history by winning its First Four game before pushing Michigan to halftime in its first-round matchup. Siena nearly pulled off a monumental upset against top-seeded Duke, trailing by just 11 at the break. The Saints' commitment to their starting five was remarkable - they didn't make a single substitution in the first half and kept the same five players on the floor for nearly the entire 40 minutes. Siena's Gavin Doty led all scorers with 21 points in the 71-65 loss.

Arizona's dominant 92-58 win over Long Island University sparked a playful social media battle between the Wildcats and AriZona Iced Tea. The New York-based beverage company tweeted "guys i think i'm winning" after Arizona built an early lead, then celebrated with "there's no i in team but there is tea" after the final buzzer. Meanwhile, North Carolina learned a harsh lesson about jinxing games, as VCU stormed back from a 19-point halftime deficit to win 82-78 in overtime, led by Terrence Hill Jr.'s 17 second-half points.