Cinderella Is Dead, but Feel-Good Stories Remain in March Madness
The last-two mid-major teams got knocked out of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, but a couple of feel-good stories remain among unexpected teams.
Darius Acuff Jr. (R) of the Arkansas Razorbacks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Chase Johnston of the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on March 21, 2026. Soobum Im/Getty Images
Arkansas made the clock strike midnight before Cinderella could enter the ball on Saturday.
The No. 4 seed Razorbacks knocked out No. 12 seed High Point 94–88 in the West Region of the NCAA tournament. A lower seed advancing past the first week of the tournament, known as the Big Dance, gets informally dubbed Cinderella.
Matthew Davis
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Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
