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Jeff Dean
Editor’s note: The Deseret News is updating how Utah ties — both native Utahns and those whose playing careers have included a stop in Utah — are performing in the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament through the first two rounds.
For BYU and Utah State, who both made the 68-team field, these updates will primarily focus on notable Utah natives with those respective teams.
Check back for more updates throughout the first four days of this year’s tournament.
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Chris Carlson
Former Salt Lake Community College star delivers game-winner in NCAA’s opening game
TCU 66, Ohio State 64
The first game of the NCAA Tournament had plenty of March Madness, and it was a former Salt Lake Community College star that delivered the winning points.
In a tie ball game with the clock winding down, TCU forward Xavier Edmonds (SLCC) took a pass in the paint from teammate David Punch, then patiently found an opening before finishing at the rim for two with 4.3 seconds left to play, giving the Horned Frogs a 66-64 lead.
xavier edmonds; tcu vs ohio state pic.twitter.com/gKp1qAATvK
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) March 19, 2026
Following a timeout, Ohio State could only get a half-court heave off and it was no good, allowing TCU to advance.
“I had to get the ball in the basket. Punch made a great pass, put me in the right position to score, and I went up and I scored it,” Edmonds told CBS in a postgame interview.
Edmonds, who spent the past two seasons at SLCC and was ranked the No. 1 JUCO player of the year last season, ended up with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal in the win.
"JOB NOT FINISHED"
Xavier Edmonds told @TracyWolfson that TCU is hyped but they're looking to move into the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. pic.twitter.com/QY0ex8hduA
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 19, 2026
TCU went into halftime up 39-24 but Ohio State rallied behind John Mobley Jr. (Wasatch Academy) and eventually took a 55-50 lead.
Moments after picking up his fourth foul with 8:02 to play, Edmonds helped TCU retake the lead.
He scored three straight points for the Horned Frogs to cut the deficit to one, and then after a defensive stop, TCU went back ahead 58-57 on a Punch layup.
TCU guard Tanner Toolson (BYU, Utah Valley) had three rebounds, an assist and a steal while missing his only two shot attempts.
Mobley, meanwhile, scored a team-high 15 points for Ohio State in the losing effort. He shot 6 of 17 from the floor and hit three 3-pointers, while adding six assists and three rebounds.
From First Four action
Prairie View A&M 67, Lehigh 55: Forward Cory Wells (Utah Valley) scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks for the Panthers in the win.
Texas 68, NC State 66: Forward Camden Heide (Wasatch Academy) had 3 points, two assists, one rebound and a block for the Longhorns.