Texas Slips Past NC State in Dramatic First Four Finish as Howard Claims Historic NCAA Tournament Win

The 2026 NCAA Tournament kicked off with a pair of dramatic First Four battles in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday night, delivering instant classic moments that set the stage for March Madness. In the nightcap, No. 11 seed Texas outlasted rival NC State 68-66 on a clutch go-ahead jumper by guard Tramon Mark with one second left, sending the Longhorns into the Round of 64 where they’ll face No. 6 seed BYU. Earlier in the doubleheader, Howard University—competing in its fifth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance—made history by defeating UMBC 86-83, securing the Bison’s first-ever March Madness victory in program annals. These outcomes underscore the unpredictable nature of college basketball’s biggest stage and highlighted the emotional extremes of the First Four experience.

How the First Four Set the Tone for March Madness 2026

The First Four, traditionally the opening act of the NCAA Tournament held in Dayton, Ohio, often produces some of the most gripping and unpredictable games of the entire bracket. Unlike the main draw, where higher seeds typically cruise through early rounds, the First Four features the lowest-seeded teams competing in play-in games to earn a place in the Round of 64. Tuesday’s matchups—Texas vs. NC State and Howard vs. UMBC—were no exception, delivering overtime-level drama in regulation and setting a high bar for excitement heading into Thursday’s first games.

Texas’ Nail-Biter Over NC State: A Game of Runs and Rebounds

The Longhorns entered the First Four with momentum in question after a disappointing finish to the regular season, having lost five of their last six games. That skid included a 102-97 defeat to NC State in November at the Maui Invitational, a game marked by high scoring and fast-paced play. On Tuesday, however, the tone shifted dramatically. Texas relied on a balanced attack and relentless rebounding—outmuscling the Wolfpack 45-33 on the boards—to control the game despite shooting just 36.8% from the field.

The final minute was a microcosm of Texas’ rollercoaster season. NC State rallied late, cutting the deficit to 66-65 with 25 seconds left. But after a missed shot by Darrion Williams, Texas regained possession. With one second remaining on the shot clock, Tramon Mark rose up and drained a step-back three-pointer to put Texas ahead 68-66. The play capped a 17-point effort by Mark and preserved a hard-fought win. "This team has shown resilience all year," Texas head coach Sean Miller said postgame. "We knew we had to fight until the very end."

The victory also avenged an earlier-season loss and allowed Texas to avoid back-to-back First Four defeats—a fate that befell the Longhorns last year when Miller’s former team, Xavier, eliminated them in the play-in round. Miller, who left Xavier to become Texas’ head coach in April 2025, now has his team positioned for a deeper tournament run. Texas will face BYU on Thursday, a matchup expected to test its offensive firepower against a Cougars team averaging 84.7 points per game.

Howard Makes NCAA History Against UMBC

In the first game of the doubleheader, Howard University, a historically Black college and member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), etched its name into NCAA Tournament lore. The Bison defeated UMBC 86-83, claiming their first-ever March Madness victory in five appearances. The win tied Howard’s program record for wins in a season (24), matching a mark set during the 1986-87 campaign.

UMBC, the team that famously upset top-seeded Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, nearly added another Cinderella moment. The Retrievers missed a potential game-tying three at the buzzer, allowing Howard to escape with the win. UMBC head coach Ed Tait reflected on the missed opportunity, saying, "We had opportunities to close this out. That’s basketball. You’ve got to make them when you have them."

For Howard, the emotional victory carried deep significance. The Bison, led by senior guard Elijah Mack, who scored 22 points, now face a daunting challenge: a matchup with top-seeded Michigan on Thursday. The Wolverines enter the tournament as a Final Four contender, averaging 87.3 points per game and featuring the nation’s best defense, allowing just 65.8 points per game. Still, Howard’s historic win has already given the Bison—and the MEAC—a moment to celebrate.

What the First Four Results Mean for the 2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket

The outcomes of the First Four games reverberate far beyond Dayton. For Texas, the win signals a potential resurgence under Miller, who is rebuilding the program after a disappointing start in his second year. The Longhorns, once a Final Four contender in 2021, are now positioned to challenge for a deep run, especially with a favorable draw against BYU.

For Howard, the victory is more than just a statistical milestone—it’s a cultural milestone. The Bison’s triumph highlights the growing competitiveness of historically Black colleges in college basketball and serves as an inspiration to programs at all levels. Meanwhile, UMBC’s near-upset underscores the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament, where even established mid-majors can fall victim to late-game heartbreak.

With the first round set to begin Thursday, the 2026 NCAA Tournament features a blend of blue-blood programs, mid-major underdogs, and historic moments in the making. The First Four delivered exactly what fans crave: drama, emotion, and a reminder that in March, anything is possible.

• Texas advanced to the Round of 64 with a 68-66 win over NC State on a last-second Tramon Mark jumper, avenging an earlier-season loss.
• Howard University made NCAA Tournament history by defeating UMBC 86-83 for its first-ever March Madness victory.
• Both Texas and Howard will face higher-seeded opponents in the first round: Texas vs. BYU and Howard vs. Michigan.
• The First Four results set the stage for a wide-open tournament featuring unexpected drama and high stakes.
• NC State’s loss marked the end of a disappointing season, while UMBC’s near-upset ended with heartbreak at the buzzer.

Key Storylines to Watch as the 2026 NCAA Tournament Unfolds

As the Round of 64 begins, several narratives will shape the remainder of the tournament. Texas’ ability to sustain its late-game heroics will be closely scrutinized, especially against a BYU team that thrives in transition. Meanwhile, Howard’s Cinderella run, while statistically unlikely to extend beyond Thursday, has already inspired a generation of HBCU athletes and fans. For NC State and UMBC, the first-round losses serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in college basketball.

How the First Four Works: A Primer on the NCAA Tournament’s Play-In Games

The NCAA Tournament’s First Four, introduced in 2011, consists of four play-in games held in Dayton, Ohio, over two days. The format features the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers (Nos. 64-67) and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams (Nos. 60-63) competing for spots in the main bracket. The winners advance to the Round of 64, where they face higher-seeded opponents. While historically seen as less prestigious, the First Four has produced memorable upsets, including VCU’s 2011 run from the First Four to the Final Four.

What’s Next: First Round Matchups and Bracket Implications

With Texas and Howard now in the main draw, the 2026 NCAA Tournament features a diverse field with No. 1 seeds Michigan, Purdue, Houston, and Arizona leading their regions. Texas, seeded 11th, will look to defy expectations against BYU, while Howard’s historic run will face its toughest test yet against Michigan’s elite defense. For bracketologists, the First Four results shift the narrative: Texas is no longer a first-round underdog, and Howard’s presence adds a feel-good story to an already unpredictable tournament.