March Madness 2026 bracket update: Scores and more from day one of the NCAA tournament
Here is how the brackets look after the first day of March Madness 2026
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers guard Rob Martin (3) and forward Braden Hausen (15) react during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images The first day of the 2026 men’s NCAA basketball tournament did not disappoint. The afternoon schedule delivered several incredible moments for teams and fans.
Nebraska secured their first tournament win in school history, while No. 12 High Point delivered a thrilling upset of No. 5 Wisconsin.
Duke, the top overall seed in the tournament, was put to the test by a feisty Siena squad while No. 9 TCU outlasted No 8 Ohio State in the first game of the day, setting the tone for the entire slate. On Thursday night a tough Howard team, fresh off their first-ever NCAA tournament win over UMBC in the First Four, gave No.
1 seed Michigan everything they can handle in the first half before the Wolverines pulled away. VCU came back from a 19-point deficit against UNC to force overtime, before toppling the Tar Heels, and Gonzaga staved off a valiant Kennesaw State team to advance. Here are all the scores from Thursday’s action, as well as the full Friday slate and a look ahead to Saturday.