High Point Shocks Wisconsin in Upset! Coach Praises Team’s Grit
High Point University's men's basketball team achieved a historic upset against Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament, with Head Coach Flynn Clayman highlighting Chase Johnston's clutch performance. Coach Clayman also advocated for changes to the NET system to better support mid-major scheduling.
High Point Stuns Wisconsin in March Madness Thriller
High Point University’s basketball team pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Wisconsin in the Round of 64 to advance in the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Flynn Clayman described the victory as “an amazing day we’ll never forget.” This historic win marks a significant achievement for the program, especially in Coach Clayman’s first year at the helm.
Chase Johnston’s Unlikely Heroics
A key moment in the game came from Chase Johnston, who sank his first career two-point shot in a clutch situation. This surprising statistic, highlighted by the broadcast team, added to the surreal nature of the victory. “For him to make his first two-point shot like that, those are the moments of March that you just can’t even make them up if you tried,” Coach Clayman remarked. He humorously added that he was briefly nervous Johnston might not know what to do with such an open shot, but Johnston calmly made the basket to help seal the win.
A Coaching Philosophy Rooted in Authenticity
Coach Clayman’s passionate post-game demeanor and statements have garnered attention. He emphasized the importance of authenticity in coaching, stating, “I just try to be myself, be authentic. I don’t really care if there’s a camera there or not.” He believes this genuine approach helps players respect their coach and play with maximum effort. “If you’re authentic to who you are, your team’s going to respect you and play hard for you,” he explained. High Point entered the tournament with big dreams, aiming to advance, a goal that some might have found ambitious for their program.
The Struggle for Mid-Major Scheduling
Beyond the on-court success, Coach Clayman used the platform to address a broader issue in college basketball: scheduling challenges for mid-major programs. He explained that high-major teams are often reluctant to schedule games against teams ranked between 75 and 125 in the NET rankings. “It’s impossible to get one,” he stated, referring to scheduling games. Coach Clayman argued that the system needs reform to incentivize these matchups, believing it would benefit fans and the sport overall by allowing more teams to prove themselves against top competition.
“The net system needs to be fixed. And I’m really not probably smart enough to know how to fix it, but if you’re a mid-major in that 75 to like 125 net ranking, then forget getting a game with anybody.”
He suggested that better incentives could encourage more games between diverse programs, making college basketball more engaging for fans. Coach Clayman also touched on the possibility of tournament expansion, expressing openness to it if it meant more inclusivity for teams that perform well throughout the season.
A Program Built on Strong Foundations
Coach Clayman acknowledged the legacy of the previous High Point team, which won 29 games and made the NCAA Tournament last year. Despite losing 96% of their scoring from that team, his current squad achieved 30 wins, becoming the first 30-win team in their league’s history, and now stands at 31 wins. This first tournament win for the program is a monumental achievement. He also credited former coaches and mentors, including Allan Hus and Todd Simon, for shaping his coaching philosophy and career journey. The outpouring of support after the win, with thousands of messages, underscored the impact of this victory.
Looking Ahead: A Date with Arkansas
High Point now faces a formidable challenge in the Round of 32 against John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas boasts a roster filled with highly talented players, including potential NBA draft picks like Akuffo Jr. Coach Clayman acknowledged the talent gap but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete. “We’re going to go out there, we’re going to give it our best shot again,” he said. He sees this game as a dream opportunity to coach against a program with a rich history and a coach like Calipari. The Panthers are ready to embrace the challenge and compete with everything they have.
Source: High Point's HC on beating Wisconsin: Just an amazing day we’ll never forget! | The Rich Eisen Show (YouTube)
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