From Michigan's dominance to shootout drama: The top 10 moments of March Madness 2026

Another year of March Madness has come to an end, and the NCAA has crowned a new champion. As always, the most exciting time of the year for college basketball has brought jaw-dropping games, unbelievable shots, and magical performances that resulted in euphoric wins and heartbreaking losses. Here’s a look at the most electrifying moments that defined March Madness 2026.

10. Siena’s almost perfect game?

History has already seen two No. 1 seeds fall in the first round, and the Siena Saints almost became a third 16-seeded team to take out the giant. The Saints took the hardwood by storm from the tip-off and led by 11 points at halftime. Duke finally tied the game with less than five minutes remaining and ultimately handed the fearlessly playing Siena a heartbreaking loss as they edged them 71-65. The impossible felt within reach - and it’s safe to say Duke fans, and probably the team itself, were holding their breath.

9. VCU stunned North Carolina?

When No. 6 UNC met No. 11 VCU in the opening round, there were no early signs of an upset. The Tar Heels looked firmly in control, but a late rally helped the Rams to erase a 19-point deficit and force overtime. Terrence Hill Jr. turned into a hero in the extra period after he drained a stepback triple with 15 seconds left to put VCU up by two. North Carolina couldn’t answer – game over, 82-78 Rams.?

8. Tramon’s game winner over NC State?

The Longhorns and the Wolfpack battled in the First Four with a trip to the coveted 64-team field on the line, and it delivered all the drama March Madness is known for. This neck-to-neck battle came down to the last shot, when the ball game was tied at 66. Texas’ senior Tramon Mark took the fate of the Longhorns into his own hands. With one second left, he drilled a mid-range jumper to advance Texas.?

7. St. John’s beat the buzzer to advance?

The showdown between No. 4 Kansas and No. 5 St. John’s was as close as it could be. The Red Storm held the lead for most of the contest, but the Jayhawks surged to a strong late push, tying the game at 65 in the last minute and setting up a dramatic finish. The final possession belonged to St. John’s - specifically to Dylan Darling – who scored a buzzer-beating layup to push the Johnnies to the Sweet 16.?

6. Santa Clara vs. Kentucky shootout?

Entering the matchup, No. 10 Santa Clara embraced its underdog role - and nearly turned it into a statement win. The Broncos pushed No. 7 Kentucky to the brink, keeping the game tight for nearly the full 40 minutes and refusing to back down. Despite hanging on to a slim lead for the majority of the game, they let Santa Clara get close in the end, and it nearly cost them. With the game tied?70-70, the Broncos netted a triple to go up three, but this is March Madness – and with 2.4 seconds left of the clock, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh caught the inbound pass, dribbled just past half-court, and banked in a miraculous shot to force overtime. In the extra five minutes, Kentucky outlasted Santa Clara 89-84.?

5. Purdue’s tip in broke Texas’ heart?

The Longhorns didn’t just survive the First Four; they used the first win as a spark to a remarkable run, as they upset No. 6 BYU and then No. 3 Gonzaga to dance to the Sweet 16. There, Texas faced No. 2 Purdue and almost pulled off another historic victory. Both teams even at 77, the Boilermakers had the ball with 11.9 seconds left. Point guard Braden Smith drove to the hoop but missed the layup – and just when everybody thought the game was going to overtime, forward Kaufman-Renn flew in last second to clean up the miss and tip the ball in. Texas’ Cinderella run ended in a heartbreaking loss.?

4. Iowa’s dagger three sent the champions home?

The Florida Gators entered the tournament as reigning national champions and a No. 1 seed in the South Region, widely expected to make another deep run and chase a rare back-to-back title. But Iowa had other plans. In the Sweet 16, the No. 9 Hawkeyes delivered one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, taking down Florida 73–72 in dramatic fashion. With 8.9 second remaining, the Gators were up 72-70 – but Alvaro Folgueiras’ corner three during Iowa’s final possessions sent the Gators home.

3. Johnston’s first two-pointer shocked Wisconsin?

Chase Johnston was the definition of a three-point specialist. When No. 12 High Point faced No. 5 Wisconsin in the first round, he was 0-for-4 from inside the arc. This wasn’t a statistic from his last game – this was from the entire season. The sharpshooter averaged 6.4 points and shot 48.6 % from three but didn’t score any two-point shots. Until March Madness.

The Panthers were down 81-82 but earned a defensive stop on the Badgers. The ball was loose for a second, but High Point got it – and in the meantime, Johnston broke free in transition. With 11.2 seconds left, he netted his first two-pointer of the year that proved to be the game-winning shot for High Point.?

2. Michigan’s dominant run?

March Madness has its new king. But Michigan didn’t just win – they put on a show. The Wolverines dominated the tournament, torching teams and tearing down defenses. They scored 90 or more points in every big dance contest besides the title game. In the grand finale, the UConn Huskies used their top-rated defense to disrupt Michigan’s firepower, and while they could slow them down, there was no stopping the Wolverines. Michigan’s dominant offensive arsenal was rare, unique, and fun to watch.?

1. Mullins’s magical three saved?UConn?

With a trip to the Final Four on the line, No. 1 Duke got to a hot start against the second-seeded UConn. The Blue Devils came out firing and carried that momentum into the second half, building a commanding 19-cushion lead that made a victory seem all but certain. But the Huskies refused to fold. Little by little, they chipped away at the lead. With exactly 10 seconds left, UConn hit a free throw to make it 70-72.

The Blue Devils inbounded the ball and completed a couple of passes before UConn’s immense defensive pressure paid off as the Huskies intercepted Duke’s pass.?Rushing the other way, the ball got to Braylon Mullins – 35 feet away from the basket, just next to the March Madness logo – and he let go of the most important three of his life. It found nothing but the bottom of the net and saved UConn’s season, while creating one of the most iconic, crazy, and magical comebacks in March Madness history.?

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