Top 5 March Madness First Round Lows, Featuring North Carolina

Saturday’s second-round slate featured several high-stakes matchups. Filmogaz.com reviewed the tournament’s early lows and surprising moments.

Big names such as Duke and Michigan were scheduled for marquee games. VCU, Texas, and High Point Tech also fought for Sweet 16 berths.

North Carolina’s historic collapse

North Carolina squandered a 19-point lead in its first-round loss to No. 11 VCU on March 19. The comeback ranks as the sixth-largest in NCAA Tournament history and the largest since 2022.

The Tar Heels are now out in the first round for a second straight season. They played without freshman Caleb Wilson, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

BYU and AJ Dybantsa’s abrupt end

No. 6 seed BYU fell to Texas 79-71, ending its tournament run and likely closing AJ Dybantsa’s college career. Dybantsa poured in 35 points in the game.

He averaged 25.5 points per game this season and entered the draft conversation as a projected No. 1 pick for 2026. BYU had lost eight of its final 12 regular-season contests.

Iowa State injury uncertainty

Iowa State dominated East Tennessee State 108-74, but starter Joshua Jefferson exited after three minutes. Jefferson is a second-team All-American, raising concern about his availability.

Coach T.J. Otzelberger reported a sprained ankle and said x-rays were negative. Jefferson’s status for the second-round matchup with Kentucky remained unclear.

Wisconsin’s continuing first-weekend struggles

Wisconsin again failed to reach the second weekend after losing to No. 12 High Point on March 19. This marks the Badgers’ third straight year exiting before the Sweet 16 as the higher seed.

The program also lost to a No. 12 seed in 2024. Coach Greg Gard has not led Wisconsin to a Sweet 16 since 2016 and 2017, despite multiple tournament appearances.

Villanova coach’s in-game remarks spark attention

First-year Villanova coach Kevin Willard made an on-air joke about firing staff during a slow start against No. 9 Utah State on March 20. The comment resurfaced after Villanova lost to the Aggies.

Willard later clarified the remark was in jest. He guided the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their 2022 Final Four run.

Context and takeaways

Filmogaz.com labeled these moments among the Top 5 March Madness First Round Lows, Featuring North Carolina. The opening weekend delivered dramatic swings and difficult endings.

Some programs celebrated milestone wins. Others now face coaching questions, injuries, and roster uncertainty heading into round two.