2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Highlights: Best Moments From Day 1 of March Madness

The first full day of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament reminded us why we love March Madness so much. 

Kicking things off, No. 9 seed TCU outlasted No. 8 seed Ohio State in a thriller — the first upset of the day. Then, No. 12 seed High Point stunned No. 5 seed Wisconsin, No. 11 seed VCU shocked No. 6 seed North Carolina, No. 10 Texas A&M took down No. 7 seed Saint Mary's, and No. 11 seed Texas outlasted No. 6 seed BYU. 

There were also a few close calls, as No. 6 seed Louisville narrowly topped No. 11 seed South Florida, and No. 1 seed Duke barely escaped No. 16 seed Siena.

As expected, there were plenty of dominant victories. No. 4 seed Nebraska took care of business against No. 13 seed Troy, No. 5 Vanderbilt took down No. 12 seed McNeese, No. 3 seed Michigan State blew out No. 14 seed North Dakota State, No. 4 seed Arkansas crushed No. 13 seed Hawaii, and No. 1 seed Michigan smashed No. 16 seed Howard. 

Here are the highlights and top moments from Thursday's action!