Home VCU VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. praises student journalists after comeback win over UNC in NCAA tournament first round

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21 Mar 2026

VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. praises student journalists after comeback win over UNC in NCAA tournament first round

No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth University defeated No. 6 seed North Carolina in overtime during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.[1]

The Rams overcame a 19-point deficit with about 15 minutes remaining in regulation, shooting 62% from the field in the second half, including 7-of-10 from three-point range, to outscore the Tar Heels 47-36 in that period and force overtime.[1] Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 points for VCU on 13-of-23 shooting, with 7-of-10 from three-point range, including 23 points in the second half and overtime along with the game-winning three-pointer.[1]

North Carolina's Henri Veesaar missed the first of two free throws with his team trailing 80-78 in overtime, sealing the victory for VCU.[1] It marked VCU's first NCAA tournament first-round win since 2018, when they defeated UCF.[2][3]

In the postgame news conference, VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. interrupted a question from Ben Rekosh, director and on-air commentator for the student-run WVCW Sports radio station, to praise the student media.[1]

"I am gonna shout you guys out. I know there's a lot of professional media, our student media, the best in the country. They are unreal," Martelli said. He noted that three student journalists had driven through a snowstorm to cover a game at Davidson and traveled to St. Louis and other locations during the season.[1]

Martelli added a light-hearted comment about the students missing a Valentine's Day game for "young love" but emphasized their dedication, contrasting it with paid media: "You are what this is about."[1] Rekosh thanked the coach and continued with his question.

VCU, representing the Atlantic 10 Conference from Richmond, Virginia, advanced to the second round. Bon Secours Wellness Arena has hosted multiple NCAA tournament games in recent years.[4][5]