VCU’s epic comeback
VCU rallied from a 19‑point deficit to beat North Carolina and knock the Tar Heels out in the first round — Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 off the bench and the win was called the largest first‑round comeback in NCAA history. (nytimes.com) (cbssports.com)
VCU beat North Carolina 82-78 in overtime on March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., in a South Region first‑round matchup between the No. 11 and No. 6 seeds. (basketball.realgm.com) Terrence Hill Jr. played 40 minutes, shot 13‑for‑23 overall and 7‑for‑10 from 3‑point range, and finished the game with five rebounds and five assists. (basketball.realgm.com) VCU shot 45.5% from the field and 42.3% (11‑of‑26) from three, the Rams’ bench outscored North Carolina’s bench 42‑7, and the program recorded its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2016. (basketball.realgm.com) Henri Veesaar led UNC with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Seth Trimble finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists; Trimble’s one made free throw with 35 seconds left briefly put the Tar Heels ahead late in overtime. (basketball.realgm.com) ESPN described the comeback as tied for the seventh‑largest in NCAA Tournament history and noted it was the second‑largest second‑half rally, behind Nevada’s 22‑point comeback in 2018. (espn.com) VCU will meet No. 3 seed Illinois in the second round after Illinois defeated Penn 105‑70, with VCU’s next game scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 7:50 p.m. (ET). (vcuathletics.com)
