TCU Upsets Ohio State in First Round of NCAA Tournament, 66-64
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The No. 9 seed TCU Horned Frogs defeated the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes 66-64 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The victory marks TCU’s first tournament win since 2019 and sends them to the second round.
Close Contest Comes Down to the Wire
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ohio State mounting a significant comeback after trailing by 15 points at halftime. Despite the Buckeyes’ rally, TCU held on for the narrow victory, sealed by a proceed-ahead layup from Xavier Edmonds with just 4.3 seconds remaining. Xavier Edmonds finished with 16 points.
Key Performances
TCU: Micah Robinson led all scorers with 18 points, whereas David Punch contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds. Punch too delivered the crucial assist to Edmonds for the game-winning basket. David Punch’s performance included 16 points, 13 boards and a pair of assists.
Ohio State: All five Ohio State starters scored in double figures, led by John Mobley Jr. With 15 points and six assists. Bruce Thornton, the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,164 points, also reached double digits. John Mobley Jr. led the Buckeyes with 15 points.
First Half Dominance, Second Half Battle
TCU established a strong lead in the first half, shooting 7-of-13 from beyond the three-point line to build a 39-24 halftime advantage. However, Ohio State dramatically improved its shooting in the second half, going on an 11-1 run to briefly take the lead. Despite the shift in momentum, TCU managed to regain control in the final moments.
What’s Next for TCU?
With the win, TCU advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they are likely to face No. 1 seed Duke on Saturday. TCU will likely play No. 1 Duke in the second round.
Ohio State’s Season Concludes
The loss marks the finish of the season for Ohio State, which finished with a 21-13 record under second-year head coach Jake Diebler. This was the Buckeyes’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022. Seniors Christoph Tilly and Bruce Thornton conclude their collegiate careers.