The first game of the Round of 64 in this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament came down to the final seconds as No. 9 TCU defeated No 8 Ohio State 66-64 at The Well in Greenville, S.C.
Xavier Edmonds put TCU up by two with just under five seconds remaining, and Ohio State had one final chance to win the game.
However, Ohio State had to go the length of the court, and it resulted in a half-court heave from Bruce Thornton that hit the backboard.
BUZZER SOUNDS. TCU GETS THE FIRST WIN OF #MarchMadness 🙌 @TCUBasketball pic.twitter.com/q7zFXi6HNd
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2026
Ohio State called a timeout after the Edmonds bucket, and the Buckeyes had a chance to draw up one final play in regulation.
Instead, it ended with Thornton throwing up a heave at half-court, and fans all said the same thing.
4.3 seconds and you get a half court shot.
— Tony Patelis (@TonyPatelis) March 19, 2026
How you gonna have 4.3 seconds and not even get across half court? Oof.
— Kerry Miller (@kerrancejames) March 19, 2026
What was that play, Bucks?
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 19, 2026
TCU the first first round winner. A great way to get the day going. I'm obviously 0-1.
May be one of the worst plays I’ve ever seen. 4.3 seconds and they shoot from half court. Deserved loss https://t.co/xUrHY9RhZC
— 🏆 GB SB Champs 26-27 🏆 (@LawyerMorty94) March 19, 2026
Ohio State trailed 39-24 at halftime, but the Buckeyes came storming back in the second half to take a 51-50 lead with less than eight minutes to go after an Amare Bynum layup. Then, the Buckeyes had a chance to tie or win the game, but the final play left everybody scratching their heads.
Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler might have some tough questions to answer after this one.
TCU will advance to the Round of 32 to face the winner of Duke-Siena.
