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5d ago

High Point’s Coaching Couple Balances Dual NCAA Bids as Men Advance and Women Open Play

Flynn Clayman’s viral defense of mid‑majors has propelled the Panthers into national focus.

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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman watches his players during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.

Overview

  • The 12th-seeded men beat No. 5 Wisconsin in Portland for the program’s first NCAA Tournament win and will face No. 4 Arkansas tonight.
  • Assistant coach Katie Clayman flew to Portland with husband Flynn and 19-month-old Quinn, then returned to Nashville to rejoin the women for a first-round game against No. 2 Vanderbilt.
  • High Point women’s head coach Chelsea Banbury backed Katie’s trip and assigned scouting work during her travel to keep game preparation on schedule.
  • Both teams secured NCAA bids after sweeping the Big South regular-season and tournament titles during the 2025–26 campaign, Flynn’s first year as men’s head coach.
  • Roughly 30 schools qualified both men’s and women’s teams for the 2026 tournaments, highlighting High Point’s dual presence on the national stage.