Key Takeaways:
- The March Madness men’s NCAA basketball tournament again delivered a dramatic upset.
- High Point University, a #12 seed, stunned the #5-seeded Wisconsin Badgers with a come-from-behind 83–82 victory in the first round.
- Senior guard Chase Johnston emerged as the unlikely hero despite limited playing time and modest season stats.
- Johnston scored 14 points (well above his average), hitting key three-pointers and the game-winning layup with 11.2 seconds remaining.
- Johnston openly expressed his Christian faith, giving credit to Jesus Christ in post-game remarks.
- He referenced John 15:13 as the team’s guiding principle of sacrifice and unity.
- He also displayed Acts 20:24 on his shoes, emphasizing purpose and devotion to faith.
It happens every year in the month of March…
Epic upsets by heavy underdogs.
Unlikely heroes rising to the occasion.
That’s why the NCAA basketball tournaments — men’s and women’s — are called March Madness.
One of the most epic upsets so far in the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament happened in the first round.
The #12 seed High Point University Panthers defeated the #5 seed Wisconsin Badgers, 83-82.
A part-time player leads his team to victory.
The unlikely hero of High Point’s upset win?
Senior guard Chase Johnston — a part-time player who averaged 13 minutes of playing time per game during the season…
And averaged less than 7 points per game.
He’s a 3-point sharpshooter who made 48.5% of his 3-point attempts during the season.
He hadn’t made a 2-point basket all year – until the first-round game against Wisconsin.
With 11.2 seconds left in the game, Chase put a breakaway layup through the hoop to give High Point the lead, 83-82.
This was after he had sunk three long-range 3-pointers during the last 5 minutes of the game.
The Panthers rallied from 8 points down late in the second, primarily because of the heroics of Chase Johnston.
He finished with 14 points – more than twice his season average of 6.4 points per game.
And that’s not all…
Christian faith on display.
Chase Johnston hopes to be a pastor in the future.
In a post-game interview, he said, “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s been an unbelievable season.”[1]
Then he added, “This is a group of guys that’s built off John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we look out for each other. I’m so grateful. Thank you so much.”[2]
In John 15:13, Jesus says to his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (New International Version)
Later, Johnston wrote on X:
“A team truly built on John 15:13!! 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ went to the cross for our sake and showed us what true sacrifice and servant hood is. He laid down His life for ours.”[3]
In a further display of his faith and his philosophy of life, Johnston wrote “Acts 20:24” on the back of the shoes he wore during the game.
Acts 20:24 is a quote from the apostle Paul during his farewell address to the church in Ephesus:
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”[4]
About High Point University.
High Point University is a private liberal arts university located in High Point, North Carolina, near the cities of Greensboro and Winston-Salem.[5]
It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Total enrollment is about 6,500.
The men’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA Division I basketball tournament for the second consecutive year by winning the Big South Conference Championship.
Last year they lost to Purdue in the first round of the tournament.
After defeating Wisconsin in the first round this year, their won-lost record was 31-4.
They played Arkansas last Saturday in Round 2 of the tournament and were defeated 94-88.
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FAQs:
Q. What was the major upset in the first round of this year’s March Madness?
A. High Point University in North Carolina – a #12 seed – defeated the 5th-seeded Wisconsin Badgers 83–82.
Q: Who was the standout player in the game?
A: Senior guard Chase Johnston led the upset with a breakout performance despite being a part-time player during the season.
Q: Why is Chase Johnston considered an unlikely hero?
A: He averaged only 13 minutes and fewer than 7 points per game during the season, making his 14-point performance and clutch plays highly unexpected.
Q: What were the key moments of Johnston’s performance?
A: He made three crucial 3-pointers in the final five minutes – helping his team erase an 8-point deficit – and scored the game-winning layup with 11.2 seconds remaining.
Q: How did Johnston express his Christian faith after the game?
A: He publicly gave glory to Jesus Christ and emphasized his team’s values rooted in faith and unity.
Q: What Bible verse did the team rally around?
A: They referenced John 15:13, in which Jesus talks about sacrificial love and serving others.
Q: What statement of faith was written on Johnston’s shoes?
A: He wrote the Bible reference “Acts 20:24”, reflecting his commitment to purpose and sharing his faith.
Q: What is notable about High Point University?
A: High Point University is a private Christian-affiliated liberal arts university in North Carolina with about 6,500 students.
About Craig Huey:
Craig Huey is a longtime direct-response marketing strategist and publisher who focuses on the intersection of faith, politics, culture, and economic freedom. He is president of ElectionForum.org and the founder of Creative Direct Marketing Group (CDMG), where his team has tested thousands of marketing variables and earned more than 100 industry awards. Craig publishes commentary at CraigHuey.com and co-hosts media projects that equip Americans to understand what’s happening—and what to do next.
[1] Nick Givas, https://www.westernjournal.com/aspiring-pastor-becomes-march-madness-hero-leading-team-epic-upset-wearing-faith-feet/
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] https://www.regionalamissions.com/school-directory/high-point-university