High Point Coach Flynn Clayman Celebrates Upset Victory Over Wisconsin

Bassyonni

Published: March 19, 2026 11:02 PM ET

High Point Coach Flynn Clayman Celebrates Upset Victory Over Wisconsin

On March 19, 2026, Flynn Clayman, the head coach of High Point University, celebrated a significant achievement as his team upset Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers defeated the Badgers 83-82 in Portland, Oregon. This victory marked a historic moment for High Point, as it was their first win over a Power 5 opponent.

Implications of the Upset Victory

Following the game, Clayman seized the national spotlight to address the skepticism surrounding mid-major teams. Critics frequently pointed to High Point’s relatively weak schedule. Despite finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 30 wins and only 4 losses, the Panthers faced a challenging narrative due to ranking as having the third-weakest schedule in NCAA’s NET rankings.

Coach Clayman’s Standpoint

Clayman asserted that major conference teams need to engage with mid-major programs earlier in the season to validate their strength. “Looks pretty obvious to me that high-majors need to play mid-majors early in the season,” he declared. This statement echoed earlier sentiments from Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele, who also campaigned for more competitive scheduling.

High Point: 30-4 regular season record.
Wisconsin: 5 top-10 wins this season.
Miami (Ohio): 31-0 regular season record.
Both teams emphasize the need for more mid-major opportunities.

The Broader Landscape of College Basketball

Clayman’s remarks reflect a growing frustration among mid-major coaches regarding scheduling inequities in college basketball. He highlighted that both High Point and Miami (Ohio) had similar challenges in arranging competitive non-conference games. Notably, both teams posted impressive records in ‘quad one’ games, showcasing their potential against tougher opponents.

High Point’s victory not only served as a validation for their season but also called attention to the broader issue of scheduling within collegiate athletics. Clayman concluded his comments by expressing pride in his team’s performance and aspirations beyond just one tournament win, stating, “We’re here to get to the Sweet 16.”