March Madness Classic: Kentucky Survives Santa Clara
Kentucky and Santa Clara State delivered an unforgettable matchup during the opening game of the Friday morning slot in the first round of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament. The 11th-seeded Broncos kept the Wildcats on edge for much of the game, but Kentucky’s resolve never wavered. The final moments of regulation were nothing short of chaotic, culminating in a stunning shot that spared Kentucky from potential embarrassment.
In the end, Kentucky State pulled through in overtime, sealing the victory against Santa Clara with a score of 89-84. The Wildcats reportedly invested $22 million in NIL funds for their team. Initially, the expectation was that their season would conclude with a first-round defeat. Instead, senior guard Otega Oweh’s last-minute heroics solidified this game as a memorable moment for fans in Lexington.
This is the essence of March Madness—heartbreak for the underdog Broncos and sheer joy for the powerful Kentucky squad. The final three possessions were purely exhilarating.
With just 10 seconds remaining, Oweh tied the game with an impressive spin move in the paint. Santa Clara quickly pushed the ball up, setting up a play for freshman standout Allen Graves, who nailed a three-pointer with only 2.5 seconds left on the clock. Kentucky then inbounded to Oweh, who, managing to break the half-court line, released a shot just in time. It hit the backboard and fell in, sending the game into overtime.
Once in overtime, Kentucky asserted control and advanced to face the winner of the matchup between No. 2 Iowa State and No. 15 Tennessee State.
What made this finish even more thrilling was the absence of timeouts, resulting in rapid end-to-end action filled with clutch shots. There was, however, a moment of hesitation. Santa Clara’s coach, Herb Sendek, who had previously mentored James Harden, seemed ready to call a timeout right after Graves’ shot. If he had, it could have changed everything, allowing Kentucky to regroup and possibly allow for strategic fouls. Instead, Oweh capitalized on the moment, delivering a classic shot that kept Kentucky’s hopes alive.
In recent years, March has been a time of disappointment for many Wildcats fans. Back in 2022, as a second seed, they fell to 15th-seeded St. Peter’s. Then in 2024, as a third seed, they lost to No. 14 Oakland, leading to significant changes in the coaching staff. With all that history weighing on them, second-year head coach Mark Pope didn’t want to face a similar fate—Oweh’s shot provided a much-needed redemption.
Kentucky had invested heavily over the previous offseason, with reports highlighting their increasing budget. Their most prominent recruit, sophomore center Jayden Quaintance, has struggled with injuries, missing almost all of the season due to a torn ACL. They also brought in players like Denzel Aberdeen and Mohamed Diubate, yet the team hadn’t performed as expected. Advancing in March, nonetheless, offers a chance to turn around what had been a disappointing season.
This is precisely why March is so beloved. It was a remarkable shot for Kentucky, although it’s unfortunate for Santa Clara.
