UNC collapses late, blows 19-point lead in shocking overtime loss to VCU

Miles Simon joins Jason McIntyre to discuss Duke and Arizona’s odds to win the ’26 March Madness title, and if AJ Dybantsa can lead the BYU Cougars to success.

As Terrence Hill Jr. stepped back and launched a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime, his No. 11 VCU teammates and coaches all looked up in hopes their comeback was worth it in the end. 

The ball fell through the hoop, and the Rams officially erased a 19-point deficit to the North Carolina Tar Heels, stunning the No. 6 seed with an 82-78 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

UNC couldn’t fathom what transpired on the court in Greenville, South Carolina, as they held their destiny in their hands in the second half when they took a 19-point lead with 15 minutes remaining in the game. 

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Terrence Hill Jr. of the VCU Rams reacts to a basket during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

But, with 11 seconds left and free throws missed left and right for the Tar Heels, Hill poured in a layup that tied the game at 75 apiece. 

If only Seth Trimble’s steal with 2.9 left on the regulation clock resulted in a game-winning three-pointer, which never touched the rim despite a solid look at the net, the Tar Heels would’ve let out a big sigh of relief. 

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Instead, they went 0-for-7 in extra time, though the game remained close with VCU also failing to hit their shots as well. It wasn’t until 2:08 left in overtime when Nyk