The 11th-seeded VCU Rams overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the sixth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels 82-78 in overtime during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The game was played on March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.[1]

North Carolina held a 19-point lead with 15 minutes remaining in regulation. VCU responded by outscoring the Tar Heels 47-36 in the second half, shooting 62% from the field and 7-of-10 from three-point range. Terrence Hill Jr. tied the game at 75-75 with a layup with 11 seconds left.

Seth Trimble's steal led to an open three-point attempt for North Carolina with 2.9 seconds left in regulation, but the shot missed, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, North Carolina went 0-for-7 from the field. Nyk Lewis gave VCU a 77-75 lead with a layup at the 2:08 mark. Trimble tied the score after being fouled, but later missed a layup while fouled with 35 seconds remaining and made only one of two free throws.

VCU took an 80-78 lead. Henri Veesaar missed the first of two free throws for North Carolina late in overtime. Terrence Hill Jr. sealed the victory with a three-pointer with 15 seconds left.

Hill led VCU with 34 points on 13-of-23 field goals, including 7-of-10 from three-point range.

VCU, representing Virginia Commonwealth University in the Atlantic 10 Conference, advances to the second round. North Carolina, from the Atlantic Coast Conference, was eliminated.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, "Bon Secours Wellness Arena", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Secours_Wellness_Arena