In a heart-stopping opener to March Madness 2026, No. 9 seed TCU stunned No. 8 Ohio State 66-64 on Xavier Edmonds‘ last-second layup, overcoming a 15-point halftime deficit and setting up a likely showdown with top-seeded Duke in the second round.
The first official game of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament delivered instant drama, a perfect microcosm of the tournament’s unpredictable magic. TCU’s Xavier Edmonds emerged as the unlikely hero, driving to the basket and squeezing in a layup with just 4.3 seconds remaining to give the Horned Frogs a 66-64 lead per the game recap. Ohio State’s final attempt, a half-court heave from Bruce Thornton, clanged off the rim, sealing one of the most thrilling finishes in recent tournament memory.
Edmonds’ winner capped a remarkable turnaround for TCU, which had built a 15-point halftime advantage only to see it evaporate in the second half. The Horned Frogs exploded early, draining 7-of-13 from three-point range to take a 39-24 lead into the locker room. But the offense stalled after the break, as TCU shot a chilly 9-of-28 overall and 2-of-10 from deep in the final 20 minutes. This cold spell allowed Ohio State to claw back, mounting an 11-1 run to seize a 55-50 lead with 6:19 remaining. Yet the Buckeyes’ own execution faltered down the stretch, missing seven of their last eight field-goal attempts and failing to convert in the final minutes.
Edmonds finished with 16 points as part of a balanced TCU attack that saw three players reach double figures:
- Micah Robinson: 18 points
- Xavier Edmonds: 16 points
- David Punch: 16 points, 13 rebounds
For Ohio State, all five starters scored at least 10 points, with John Mobley Jr. contributing 15 points and six assists according to the box score. The Buckeyes’ inability to protect a late lead continues a troubling trend in high-pressure tournament moments as highlighted in the upsets tracker, which also notes other Day 1 shocks including High Point’s victory over Wisconsin and Duke’s close call against Siena.
The shot went viral instantly:
The East Region bracket now takes shape with TCU as a dangerous 9-seed. Barring any further upsets, the Horned Frogs are projected to face top-seeded Duke in the second round on Saturday—a matchup that could define both teams’ tournaments. This victory propels TCU into the national spotlight and reinforces their status as a rising power in college basketball, having become a regular March participant in recent years.
For Ohio State, the loss compounds a history of tournament disappointment and raises immediate questions about the program’s ability to close tight games on the biggest stage. The Buckeyes’ offense, which rallied valiantly in the second half, went cold at the worst possible moment, missing seven of their last eight shots. Their tournament run ends with a lingering “what-if” that will follow the team into the offseason.
This game is already being hailed as a classic opening-round thriller, embodying the chaos and excitement that defines March Madness. It served as a stark reminder that no lead is safe until the final buzzer, and that a single player’s courage can rewrite a season’s narrative. TCU now prepares for a colossal showdown with Duke, while Ohio State faces an uncertain future beyond the tournament.
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