2026 NCAA Tournament: St. John’s, Iowa & Alabama Pull Off Upsets – Day 1 Results
St. John’s University’s men’s basketball team secured a dramatic 67-65 victory over Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday, propelled by a buzzer-beating layup from guard Dylan Darling.
The Red Storm’s win, their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999, came down to the final possession. With the score tied at 65 and 3.9 seconds remaining, Darling drove to the basket and scored as time expired, sending St. John’s into the East Region semifinals.
Darling, who had not scored a point in the game prior to the winning basket, suggested the play to coach Rick Pitino. “He comes up to me and says, ‘Run power,’ which is a high, back-screen pick-and-roll,” Pitino recounted after the game. “I walk away, and I said, ‘Wait a second: He hasn’t scored a bucket, and he wants to run a play for himself.’”
Pitino admitted he was baffled by Darling’s confidence, especially given that the junior guard had missed all four of his previous shots. “I just can’t imagine a player today, in today’s world, with all the scrutiny, wanting the ball when he’s shooting terrible,” Pitino said. Despite his reservations, Pitino acknowledged it was the only viable option in the closing seconds.
The victory was particularly remarkable considering Kansas had intentionally fouled St. John’s four times in the final seconds, attempting to regain possession. Although, the Jayhawks were unable to capitalize, and Darling’s layup sealed their fate. Kansas had erased a 14-point deficit in the second half before ultimately falling short.
Darling’s game-winning shot is unique in NCAA tournament history, as he is the only player to score his first points of a game on a buzzer-beater, according to Sports Reference.
St. John’s will now face No. 1 overall seed Duke in the East Region semifinals in Washington.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Iowa upset reigning national champion Florida 73-72 on a go-ahead 3-pointer from Alvaro Folgueiras with 4.5 seconds left. The Gators were unable to attempt a shot before the buzzer. UConn defeated UCLA 73-57, led by Alex Karaban’s 27 points, and Alabama routed Texas Tech 90-65, despite playing without suspended point guard Aden Holloway. Labaron Philon dished out 12 assists for Alabama in the win.
Eight of the past nine defending NCAA Tournament champions have now been eliminated in the second round, with UConn being the lone exception, having won consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024.