High Point calls out major conferences for avoiding his team after March Madness upset: 'They gotta play us'

High Point is riding precocious aft its first March Madness triumph successful schoolhouse history.

The 12th-seeded Panthers came backmost from double digits to return down No. 5 Wisconsin successful nan tournament's first upset successful a thrilling 83-82 victory.

High Point did not person galore opportunities to put nan state connected notice, arsenic its full schedule was filled pinch chap mid-major schools.

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Head coach Flynn Clayman of nan High Point Panthers celebrates aft nan High Point Panthers upset nan Wisconsin Badgers successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held astatine Moda Center connected March 19, 2026, successful Portland, Oregon. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

But caput coach Flynn Clayman called retired nan Power Four schools for seemingly avoiding High Point and different mid-majors passim nan season.

"It looks beautiful evident to maine that high-majors request to play mid-majors early successful nan season. Because they said we didn't play nobody. We played personification now," Clayman said soon aft nan victory. 

"I cognize really bully of a squad we are. But cipher would play us, conscionable for illustration they wouldn't play Miami (Ohio). But they gotta play america successful this tournament."

Head coach Flynn Clayman of nan High Point Panthers is embraced by defender Scotty Washington and guardant Terry Anderson aft upsetting nan Wisconsin Badgers successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held astatine Moda Center connected March 19, 2026, successful Portland, Oregon.  (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

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High Point defender Chase Johnston scored nan game-winning handbasket pinch 11.7 seconds near connected a breakaway layup aft Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd missed a layup that would person put nan Badgers up 84-81. High Point defender Rob Martin hauled successful nan rebound and fired downcourt to a streaking Johnston. Amazingly enough, Johnston's layup was his first two-point handbasket of nan season.

After Johnston's bucket gave High Point nan lead, Owen Aquino blocked a driving layup by Boyd. The Panthers' Cam'Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed a free throw, giving nan Badgers a chance pinch 1.8 seconds left, but Andrew Rohde's agelong walk was stolen by Terry Anderson, and nan ceremony was connected for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.

High Point earned a spot successful nan tourney by winning nan Big South title for nan 2nd consecutive season. This was nan first March Madness triumph for nan Panthers, who mislaid to Purdue successful nan first information past year.

Braden Hausen of nan High Point Panthers celebrates his artifact pinch teammate Terry Anderson against nan Wisconsin Badgers during nan 2nd half successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Moda Center connected March 19, 2026, successful Portland, Oregon. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)

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Johnston vanished pinch 14 points, including 4 3-pointers for nan Panthers, who were 10.5-point underdogs.

Fox News' Ryan Canfield and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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