NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament upsets

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An upset is a victory by an underdog team. In the context of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination tournament, this generally constitutes a lower seeded team defeating a higher-seeded (i.e., higher-ranked) team; a widely recognized upset is one performed by a team ranked substantially lower than its opponent.

Contents

This is the list of victories by teams seeded 10 or lower in the first round and second rounds of the tournament, as well as those by teams seeded 8 or 9 against 1 seeds in the second round, since it expanded to 64 teams in 1985; as these low-seeded teams were automatically paired against higher-seeded teams at the start of the tournament, their opening victories are almost always considered upsets (to date only three teams seeded 10 or lower in the first round won as betting "favorites", and only one such team won in the first round as a pick 'em). Most victories by these teams in later rounds were usually against better seeded opponents as well. The list also includes victories by teams seeded 8 or lower in the Sweet 16, teams seeded 7 or lower in the Elite Eight, and teams seeded 6 or lower in the Final Four. All teams are listed by athletic brand names they used at the time of their wins, which do not always match those in use today.

The NCAA defines a tournament "upset" as a victory by a team seeded 5 or more lines below its defeated opponent. [1]

On March 16, 2018, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers became the first 16-seed to upset a 1-seed when they defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 74–54 in the first round. [2] The year 2020 will not appear in this list as a result of the tournament being cancelled entirely due to the COVID–19 pandemic.

Round of 64

This round was called the First Round until 2011, when the introduction of the First Four caused the round to be renamed the Second Round. Starting with the 2016 tournament, it returned to being called the First Round. There were ten wins by double-digit seeds in 2016, which was the most in tournament history. In 2001, 2012, and 2021, there were nine double-digit seed upsets during First Round play. [3]

16 vs. 1

Before 2018, 16-seeded teams were 0–132 against 1-seeds. There were multiple occurrences of a 16-seed getting within single digits, with the most recent being Weber State losing to top-seeded Arizona 68–59 in 2014. Twice had a 16-seeded team come within one point of winning, both times in 1989. Top seeded Georgetown squeaked out a 50–49 win against Princeton, and East Tennessee State had a 17-point lead on Oklahoma, before the Sooners came back and won 72–71. The only time a 16 has ever taken a 1-seed into overtime came in 1990, when Murray State ultimately lost to Michigan State 75–71 after an extra period. [4]

There has only been one game where a 16-seed beat a 1-seed (0.68%) since 1985, out of 148 games played:

YearWinnerLoserScore
2018 UMBC Virginia 74–54

15 vs. 2

Ten 15-seeds have defeated 2-seeds (6.76%) in the first round: [5]

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022 Saint Peter's Kentucky 85–79OT
2021 Oral Roberts Ohio State 75–72OT
2016 Middle Tennessee Michigan State 90–81
2013 Florida Gulf Coast Georgetown 78–68
2012 Lehigh Duke 75–70
Norfolk State Missouri 86–84
2001 Hampton Iowa State 58–57
1997 Coppin State South Carolina 78–65
1993 Santa Clara Arizona 64–61
1991 Richmond Syracuse 73–69

14 vs. 3

Twenty-two (22) 14-seeds have defeated 3-seeds (14.86%) in the first round:

YearWinnerLoserScore
2021 Abilene Christian Texas 53–52
2016 Stephen F. Austin West Virginia 70–56
2015 Georgia State Baylor 57–56
UAB Iowa State 60–59
2014 Mercer Duke 78–71
2013 Harvard New Mexico 68–62
2010 Ohio Georgetown 97–83
2006 Northwestern State Iowa 64–63
2005 Bucknell Kansas 64–63
1999 Weber State North Carolina 76–74
1998 Richmond South Carolina 62–61
1997 Chattanooga Georgia 73–70
1995 Old Dominion Villanova 89–813 OT
Weber State Michigan State 79–72
1992 East Tennessee State Arizona 87–80
1991 Xavier Nebraska 89–84
1990 Northern Iowa Missouri 74–71
1989 Siena Stanford 80–78
1988 Murray State NC State 78–75
1987 Austin Peay Illinois 68–67
1986 Cleveland State Indiana 83–79
Arkansas–Little Rock [lower-alpha 1] Notre Dame 90–83

13 vs. 4

Thirty-one (31) 13-seeds have defeated 4-seeds (20.95%) in the first round:

YearWinnerLoserScore
2021 Ohio Virginia 62–58
North Texas Purdue 78–69OT
2019 UC Irvine Kansas State 70–64
2018 Marshall Wichita State 81–75
Buffalo Arizona 89–68
2016 Hawaii California 77–66
2013 La Salle Kansas State 63–61
2012 Ohio Michigan 65–60
2011 Morehead State Louisville 62–61
2010 Murray State Vanderbilt 66–65
2009 Cleveland State Wake Forest 84–69
2008 Siena Vanderbilt 83–62
San Diego Connecticut [lower-alpha 2] 70–69OT
2006 Bradley Kansas 77–73
2005 Vermont Syracuse 60–57OT
2003 Tulsa Dayton 84–71
2002 UNC Wilmington USC 93–89OT
2001 Kent State Indiana 77–73
Indiana State Oklahoma 70–68OT
1999 Oklahoma Arizona 61–60
1998 Valparaiso Ole Miss 70–69
1996 Princeton UCLA 43–41
1995 Manhattan Oklahoma 77–67
1993 Southern Georgia Tech 93–78
1992 Southwestern Louisiana [lower-alpha 3] Oklahoma 87–83
1991 Penn State UCLA 74–69
1989 Middle Tennessee Florida State 97–83
1988 Richmond Indiana 72–69
1987 Xavier Missouri 70–69
SW Missouri State Clemson 65–60
1985 Navy LSU 78–55

12 vs. 5

Fifty-three (53) 12-seeds have defeated 5-seeds (35.81%) in the first round:

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022 Richmond Iowa 67–63
New Mexico State UConn 70–63
2021 Oregon State Tennessee 70–56
2019 Murray State Marquette 83–64
Oregon Wisconsin 72–54
Liberty Mississippi State 80–76
2017 Middle Tennessee [lower-alpha 4] Minnesota 81–72
2016 Little Rock Purdue 85–832 OT
Yale Baylor 79–75
2014 Stephen F. Austin VCU 77–75OT
North Dakota State Oklahoma 80–75OT
Harvard Cincinnati 61–57
2013 Ole Miss Wisconsin 57–46
California UNLV 64–61
Oregon Oklahoma State 68–55
2012 South Florida Temple 58–44
VCU Wichita State 62–59
2011 Richmond Vanderbilt 69–66
2010 Cornell Temple 78–65
2009 Wisconsin Florida State61–59OT
Arizona Utah84–71
Western Kentucky Illinois 76–72
2008 Villanova Clemson 75–69
Western Kentucky Drake 101–99OT
2006MontanaNevada87–79
Texas A&M [lower-alpha 5] Syracuse 66–58
2005 Milwaukee Alabama 83–73
2004 Manhattan Florida 75–60
PacificProvidence66–58
2003ButlerMississippi State47–46
2002 Creighton Florida 83–822 OT
Tulsa Marquette 71–69
Missouri Miami (FL)93–80
2001 Gonzaga [lower-alpha 4] Virginia 86–85
Utah StateOhio State77–68OT
1999 SW Missouri State Wisconsin 43–32
Detroit [lower-alpha 6] UCLA 56–53
1998 Florida State TCU 96–87
1997 College of Charleston Maryland 75–66
1996 Drexel Memphis State [lower-alpha 7] 75–63
Arkansas Penn State 86–80
1995 Miami (OH) Arizona 71–62
1994 Wisconsin–Green Bay [lower-alpha 8] California 61–57
Tulsa UCLA 112–102
1993 George Washington New Mexico 82–68
1992 New Mexico State DePaul 81–73
1991 Eastern Michigan Mississippi State 76–56
1990 Dayton Illinois 88–86
Ball State Oregon State 54–53
1989 DePaul Memphis State [lower-alpha 7] 66–63
1987 Wyoming Virginia 64–60
1986 DePaul Virginia 72–68
1985 Kentucky Washington 66–58

11 vs. 6

Fifty-seven (57) 11-seeds have defeated 6-seeds (38.51%) in the first round:

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022 Michigan [lower-alpha 9] Colorado State 75–63
Notre Dame Alabama 78–64
Iowa State LSU 59–54
2021 UCLA BYU 73–62
Syracuse San Diego State 78–62
2019 Ohio State Iowa State 62–59
2018 Loyola Chicago Miami (FL) 64–62
Syracuse TCU 57–52
2017 Rhode Island Creighton 84–72
USC SMU 66–65
Xavier Maryland 76–65
2016 Northern Iowa Texas 75–72
Gonzaga Seton Hall 68–52
Wichita State Arizona 65–55
2015 Dayton Providence 66–53
UCLA SMU 60–59
2014 Tennessee UMass 86–67
Dayton Ohio State 60–59
2013 Minnesota UCLA 83–63
2012 Colorado UNLV 68–64
North Carolina State San Diego State 79–65
2011 Marquette Xavier 66–55
VCU Georgetown 74–56
Gonzaga St. John's 86–71
2010 Washington Marquette 80–78
Old Dominion Notre Dame 51–50
2009 Dayton West Virginia 68–62
2008 Kansas State USC 80–67
2007 Winthrop Notre Dame76–64
VCU Duke 79–77
2006 Milwaukee Oklahoma82–74
George Mason Michigan State 75–65
2005 UAB LSU 82–68
2003 Central Michigan Creighton 79–73
2002Wyoming Gonzaga 73–68
Southern Illinois Texas Tech 76–68
2001Georgia State Wisconsin 50–49
Temple Texas 79–65
2000 Pepperdine Indiana 77–57
1998 Washington Xavier69–68
Western Michigan Clemson 75–72
1996Boston College Indiana 64–51
1995TexasOregon90–73
1994Penn Nebraska 90–80
1993 Tulane Kansas State 55–53
1991 Creighton New Mexico State 64–56
Connecticut [lower-alpha 2] LSU 79–62
1990 Loyola Marymount New Mexico State 111–92
1989 Minnesota Kansas State 86–75
Evansville Oregon State 94–90OT
South Alabama Alabama 86–84
Texas Georgia Tech 76–70
1988 Rhode Island Missouri 87–80
1986 LSU Purdue 94–87OT
1985 Boston College Texas Tech 55–53
UTEP Tulsa 79–75
Auburn Purdue 59–58

10 vs. 7

Fifty-eight (58) 10 seeds have defeated 7 seeds (39.19%) in the first round. The NCAA does not classify any of these games as "upsets", since the teams involved were separated by only 3 seed lines.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022 Miami (FL) USC 68–66
2021 Maryland UConn 63–54
Rutgers Clemson 60–56
2019 Minnesota Louisville 86–76
Iowa Cincinnati 79–72
Florida Nevada 70–61
2018 Butler Arkansas 79–62
2017 Wichita State Dayton 64–58
2016 VCU Oregon State 75–67
Syracuse Dayton 70–51
2015 Ohio State VCU 75–72
2014 Stanford New Mexico 58–53
2013 Iowa State Notre Dame 76–58
2012 Xavier Notre Dame 67–63
Purdue Saint Mary's 72–69
2011 Florida State Texas A&M 57–50
2010 Missouri Clemson 86–78
Saint Mary's Richmond 80–71
Georgia Tech Oklahoma State 64–59
2009 USC Boston College 72–55
Michigan Clemson 62–59
Maryland California84–71
2008 Davidson Gonzaga 82–76
2006NC StateCalifornia58–52
Alabama Marquette 90–85
2005NC StateCharlotte75–63
2004Nevada Michigan State 72–66
2003 Auburn Saint Joseph's65–63
Arizona StateMemphis84–71
2002 Kent State Oklahoma State69–61
2001ButlerWake Forest79–63
Georgetown Arkansas 63–61
2000 Seton Hall Oregon 72–71
Gonzaga Louisville 77–66
1999Purdue Texas 58–54
Miami (OH) Washington 59–58
Creighton Louisville 62–58
Gonzaga Minnesota 75–63
1998West VirginiaTemple82–52
Saint Louis UMass 51–46
Detroit [lower-alpha 6] St. John's 66–64
1997 Texas Wisconsin 71–58
Providence Marquette 81–59
1996 Texas Michigan 80–76
Santa Clara Maryland91–79
1995 Stanford UNC Charlotte [lower-alpha 10] 70–68
1994George WashingtonUAB51–46
MarylandSaint Louis74–66
1992 Iowa State UNC Charlotte [lower-alpha 10] 76–74
Tulane St. John's 61–57
1991 Temple Purdue 80–63
BYU Virginia 61–48
1990 Texas Georgia 100–88
1989 Colorado State Florida 68–46
1988 Loyola Marymount Wyoming 119–115
1987 Western Kentucky West Virginia 64–62
LSU Georgia Tech 85–79
1986 Villanova Virginia Tech 71–62

Round of 32

This round was called the Second Round until 2011, when the introduction of the First Four caused this round to be renamed the Third Round. Starting with the 2016 tournament, it returned to being called the Second Round.

16 seeds

No 16 seed has ever won a second-round game. The only 16 seed to ever play in a Second Round game were the UMBC Retrievers in 2018, who lost to 9 seed Kansas State 50–43.

15 seeds

Three of the ten 15 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. All wins were against 7 seeds.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022Saint Peter's(7) Murray State 70–60
2021Oral Roberts(7) Florida 81–78
2013Florida Gulf Coast(7) San Diego State 81–71

14 seeds

Two of the twenty-two 14 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. Both wins were against 6 seeds.

YearWinnerLoserScore
1997Chattanooga(6) Illinois 75–63
1986Cleveland State(6) Saint Joseph's75–69

13 seeds

Six of the thirty-one 13 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. Seeds of the losing teams are in parentheses.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2013La Salle‡(12) Ole Miss76–74
2012Ohio‡(12) South Florida62–56
2006Bradley(5) Pittsburgh 72–66
1999Oklahoma(5) UNC Charlotte [lower-alpha 10] 85–72
1998Valparaiso‡(12) Florida State83–77OT
1988Richmond(5) Georgia Tech 59–55

‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by only 1 seed line.

12 seeds

Twenty-two of the fifty-three 12 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. Seeds of the losing teams are in parentheses.

None of the games in the "First Round upset only" table are officially considered "upsets" because the winners were seeded above the losers. By contrast, all games in the "First and Second Round upsets" table are officially classified as such because every winning team in that table defeated a 4 seed (8 lines higher).

First Round upset only (vs. 13)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2019OregonUC Irvine73–54
2011RichmondMorehead State65–48
2009ArizonaCleveland State71–57
2008Western KentuckySan Diego72–63
VillanovaSiena84–72
2001GonzagaIndiana State85–68
1993George WashingtonSouthern90–80
1992New Mexico StateSouthwestern Louisiana [lower-alpha 3] 81–73
1991Eastern MichiganPenn State71–68OT
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 4)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2021Oregon StateOklahoma State80–70
2013OregonSaint Louis74–57
2010CornellWisconsin87–69
2005MilwaukeeBoston College83–75
2003ButlerLouisville79–71
2002MissouriOhio State83–64
1999Southwest Missouri State [lower-alpha 11] Tennessee81–51
1996ArkansasMarquette65–56
1994TulsaOklahoma State82–80
1990Ball StateLouisville62–60
1987WyomingUCLA78–68
1986DePaulOklahoma74–69
1985KentuckyUNLV64–61

11 seeds

Twenty-six of the fifty-eight 11 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. Seeds of the losing teams are in parentheses.

None of the games in the "First Round upset only" table are officially considered "upsets" because the winners were seeded above the losers. By contrast, all games in the "First and Second Round upsets" table are officially classified as such because every winning team in that table defeated a 3 seed (8 lines higher).

First Round upset only (vs. 14)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2021UCLAAbilene Christian67–47
2015UCLAUAB92–75
2014TennesseeMercer83–63
1998WashingtonRichmond81–66
1991Connecticut [lower-alpha 2] Xavier66–50
1989MinnesotaSiena80–67
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 3)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2022Iowa State Wisconsin 54–49
Michigan Tennessee 76–68
2021Syracuse West Virginia 75–72
2018Loyola Chicago Tennessee 63–62
Syracuse Michigan State 55–53
2017Xavier Florida State 91–66
2016Gonzaga Utah 82–59
2014DaytonSyracuse55–53
2012NC StateGeorgetown66–63
2011MarquetteSyracuse66–62
VCUPurdue94–76
2010WashingtonNew Mexico82–64
2006George MasonNorth Carolina65–60
2002Southern Illinois Georgia 77–75
2001TempleFlorida75–54
1990Loyola Marymount Michigan 149–115
1988Rhode IslandSyracuse97–94
1986LSUMemphis State [lower-alpha 7] 83–81
1985AuburnKansas66–64
Boston CollegeDuke74–73

10 seeds

Twenty-four of the fifty-nine 10 seeds who have played in the Second Round won their games. Seeds of the losing teams are in parentheses.

None of the games in the "First Round upset only" table are officially considered "upsets" because the winners were seeded above the losers. By contrast, all games in the "First and Second Round upsets" table are officially classified as such because every winning team in that table defeated a 2 seed (8 lines higher).

First Round upset only (vs. 15)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2016SyracuseMiddle Tennessee75–50
2012XavierLehigh70–58
2001GeorgetownHampton76–57
1997TexasCoppin State82–81
1991TempleRichmond77–64
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 2)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2022Miami (FL) Auburn 79–61
2014Stanford Kansas 60–57
2011Florida StateNotre Dame71–58
2010St. Mary'sVillanova75–68
2008Davidson Georgetown 74–70
2005NC State Connecticut [lower-alpha 2] 65–62
2004Nevada Gonzaga 91–72
2003AuburnWake Forest68–62
2002Kent StateAlabama71–58
2000Seton Hall Temple 67–65OT
GonzagaSt. John's82–76
1999PurdueMiami (FL)73–63
Miami (OH)Utah66–58
Gonzaga Stanford 82–74
1998West VirginiaCincinnati75–74
1997Providence Duke 98–87
1994Maryland UMass 95–87
1990Texas Purdue 73–72
1987LSUTemple72–62

9 seeds

Through the 2022 tournament, 9 seeds have advanced to the second round 76 times. All faced 1 seeds in that round except Kansas State in 2018, which defeated UMBC, the only 16 seed ever to win a non-First Four game in the men's tournament; this is not considered an upset, as Kansas State was seeded higher. Of the 9 seeds that have faced 1 seeds, six have won.

First Round upset only (vs. 16)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2018Kansas StateUMBC50–43
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 1)
YearWinnerLoserScore
2018 Florida State Xavier 75–70
2013 Wichita State Gonzaga 76–70
2010 Northern Iowa Kansas 69–67
2004 UAB Kentucky 76–75
1994 Boston College North Carolina 75–72
1992 UTEP Kansas 66–60

8 seeds

Through the 2022 tournament, 8 seeds have advanced to the second round 72 times. All faced 1 seeds in that round, with 15 winning.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022 North Carolina Baylor 93–86OT
2021 Loyola Chicago Illinois 71–58
2017 Wisconsin Villanova 65–62
2015 NC State Villanova 71–68
2014 Kentucky Wichita State 78–76
2011 Butler Pittsburgh 71–70
2004 Alabama Stanford 70–67
2002UCLACincinnati105–1012OT
2000 North Carolina Stanford 60–53
Wisconsin Arizona 66–59
1998 Rhode Island Kansas 80–75
1996 Georgia Purdue 76–69
1990 North Carolina Oklahoma 79–77
1986 Auburn St. John's 81–65
1985 Villanova Michigan 59–55

Sweet Sixteen

15 seeds

One 15 seed has won a Sweet Sixteen game and advanced to the Elite Eight, out of three appearances.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022Saint Peter's(3) Purdue 67–64

14 seeds

Although two 14 seeds made it to the Sweet Sixteen, neither of them won their games in this round. In 1986, Cleveland State lost to 7 seed Navy by only a single point.

13 seeds

Although six 13 seeds made it to the Sweet Sixteen, none of them won any of their games in this round. The closest margin of defeat happened in 1998, when Valparaiso lost to 8 seed Rhode Island by 6 points.

12 seeds

Two 12 seeds have won a Sweet Sixteen game. The NCAA does not classify either of these wins as an "upset" because both of the winners defeated 8 seeds (4 seed lines of separation instead of the required 5).

YearWinnerLoserScore
2021Oregon State(8) Loyola Chicago 65–58
2002Missouri(8) UCLA 82–73

11 seeds

Nine 11 seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2021UCLA(2) Alabama 88–78OT
2018Loyola Chicago‡(7) Nevada 69–68
2017Xavier(2) Arizona 73–71
2014Dayton‡(10) Stanford82–72
2011VCU‡(10) Florida State72–71OT
2006George Mason‡(7) Wichita State63–55
2001Temple‡(7) Penn State84–72
1990Loyola Marymount‡(7) Alabama 62–60
1986LSU(2) Georgia Tech 70–64

‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

10 seeds

Nine 10 seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022Miami (FL)†(11) Iowa State70–56
2016Syracuse†(11) Gonzaga63–60
2008Davidson(3) Wisconsin 73–56
2002Kent State(3) Pittsburgh 78–73
1999Gonzaga‡(6) Florida73–72
1997Providence†(14) Chattanooga71–65
1991Temple(3) Oklahoma State 72–63
1990Texas‡(6) Xavier 102–89
1987LSU(3) DePaul63–58

† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.
‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

9 seeds

Four 9 seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2018Florida State(4) Gonzaga 75–60
Kansas State‡(5) Kentucky 61–58
2013Wichita State†(13) La Salle72–58
1994Boston College‡(5) Indiana 77–68

† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.
‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

8 seeds

Nine 8 seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight. None of these games are considered "upsets" by the NCAA. Rhode Island was the higher seed against Valparaiso in 1998, and all other games involved teams separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022North Carolina(4) UCLA 73–66
2014Kentucky(4) Louisville 74–69
2011Butler(4) Wisconsin 61–54
2004Alabama(5) Syracuse 80–71
2000North Carolina(4) Tennessee74–69
Wisconsin(4) LSU61–48
1998Rhode Island(13) Valparaiso74–68
1986Auburn(4) UNLV70–63
1985Villanova(5) Maryland 46–43

Elite Eight

15 seeds

Only one 15 seed has reached the Elite Eight. In 2022, Saint Peter's was defeated by 8 seed North Carolina, 69–49.

12 seeds

Although two 12 seeds have made it to the Elite Eight, neither of them won their games against the two seeds they played. In both cases, the margin of defeat was by 6 points (Missouri lost to Oklahoma 81–75 in 2002; Oregon State lost to Houston 67–61 in 2021).

11 seeds

Five 11 seeds have won their games in the Elite Eight and advanced to the Final Four. However, none of those teams advanced any further, losing their national semifinal matchups.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2021UCLA(1) Michigan 51–49
2018Loyola Chicago‡(9) Kansas State 78–62
2011VCU(1) Kansas 71–61
2006George Mason(1) Connecticut [lower-alpha 2] 86–84OT
1986LSU(1) Kentucky 59–57

‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

10 seeds

Only one 10 seed has won an Elite Eight game. The team, Syracuse, then went on to lose in the Final Four to a 1-seed, North Carolina.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2016Syracuse(1) Virginia 68–62

9 seeds

Only one 9 seed has won an Elite Eight game. The team, Wichita State, then went on to lose to top seed Louisville in the Final Four.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2013Wichita State(2) Ohio State 70–66

8 seeds

Six 8 seeds have advanced to the Final Four. This requires beating (presumably) a 1 seed in the Round of 32, typically a 4 or 5 seed in the Sweet Sixteen, and typically a 2 or 3 seed in the Elite Eight. Of these six 8 seeded Final Four teams, four advanced to the final game and the 1985 Villanova team became the lowest-seeded team to win the Championship.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022North Carolina†(15) Saint Peter's69–49
2014Kentucky(2) Michigan 75–72
2011Butler(2) Florida 74–71
2000Wisconsin‡(6) Purdue 64–60
North Carolina‡(7) Tulsa 59–55
1985Villanova(2) North Carolina 56–44

† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.
‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.

7 seeds

Three 7 seeds have advanced to the Final Four. None of the games listed here is considered an "upset" by the NCAA because all of the winners defeated 4 seeds (3 seed lines of separation instead of the required 5). South Carolina and Michigan State lost their national semifinal matchups, while UConn went on to win the Championship.

YearWinnerLoserScore
2017 South Carolina (4) Florida 77–70
2015 Michigan State (4) Louisville 76–70
2014 UConn (4) Michigan State 60–54

Final Four

8 seeds

YearWinnerLoserScore
2022North Carolina(2) Duke 81–77
2014Kentucky(2) Wisconsin 74–73
2011Butler†(11) VCU70–62
1985Villanova(2) Memphis State [lower-alpha 7] 52–45

† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.

7 seeds

YearWinnerLoserScore
2014UConn(1) Florida 63–53

6 seeds

Neither of the games listed here is considered an "upset" by the NCAA. A 6 seed can only score an NCAA-defined "upset" win over a 1 seed.

YearWinnerLoserScore
1992 Michigan (4) Cincinnati 76–72
1988 Kansas (2) Duke 66–59

National championship

Villanova, as an 8 seed, is the lowest seed to win a national championship. [8]

8 seeds

YearWinnerLoserScore
1985Villanova(1) Georgetown 66–64

7 seeds

YearWinnerLoserScore
2014UConn†(8) Kentucky 60–54

† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.

6 seeds

YearWinnerLoserScore
1988Kansas(1) Oklahoma 83–79

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Known athletically as Little Rock since 2015–16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Known athletically as UConn since 2013–14.
  3. 1 2 Now known athletically as Louisiana.
  4. 1 2 Entered the game as the betting favorite in Las Vegas sports books. [6]
  5. ↑ Entered the game as pick'em (even money) in Las Vegas sports books. [6]
  6. 1 2 Although this institution has been known as Detroit Mercy since a 1990 merger, it did not add "Mercy" to its athletic brand name until 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Known as Memphis since 1994–95.
  8. ↑ Now known athletically as Green Bay.
  9. ↑ Entered the game as the betting favorite in Las Vegas sports books. [7]
  10. 1 2 3 Known athletically as Charlotte since 2000–01.
  11. ↑ Known as Missouri State since 2005–06.

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The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Virginia. The school competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Virginia has won one NCAA Championship, two National Invitation Tournaments, and three ACC Tournament titles. The team is coached by Tony Bennett and plays home games at the on-campus John Paul Jones Arena (14,593) which opened in 2006. They have been called the Cavaliers since 1923, predating the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA by half a century.

Florida Gators mens basketball Team representing the University of Florida in basketball

The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in NCAA Division I's Southeastern Conference (SEC). Home games are played in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

1999–2000 Michigan State Spartans mens basketball team American college basketball season

The 1999–2000 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. They were coached by Tom Izzo, in his fifth year as head coach, and were members of the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans finished the season 32–7, 13–3 to win a share of the Big Ten regular season championship for the third consecutive year. As the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, they defeated Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois to win the tournament championship for the second consecutive year. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region (their second consecutive No. 1 seed, they defeated Valparaiso and Utah to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive year. They then defeated Syracuse and Iowa State to advance to the Final Four for the second consecutive year. After a win in the National Semifinal over fellow Big Ten foe Wisconsin, MSU won the National Championship over Florida. The win marked the school's second National Championship and Izzo's only championship to date.

1998–99 Michigan State Spartans mens basketball team American college basketball season

The 1998–99 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by fourth-year head coach, Tom Izzo. The Spartans finished the season 33–5, 15–1 to win the Big Ten regular season championship. MSU defeated Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Illinois to win the Big Ten Tournament and receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, they defeated Mount Saint Mary's and Ole Miss to advance to their second straight Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen they defeated Oklahoma to advance to the school's first Elite Eight since 1979. In the Elite Eight, they defeated Kentucky to earn a trip to the Final Four for the first time since 1979. There they lost No. 1-ranked Duke. The 33 wins marked a school record for wins in a season.

2012 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament United States top collegiate-level basketball tournament for 2012

The 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was a single-elimination tournament involving 68 schools playing to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. The 74th edition of the tournament began on March 13, 2012, and concluded with the championship game on April 2 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

2013–14 Duke Blue Devils mens basketball team American college basketball season

The 2013–14 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team represented Duke University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They were led by thirty-fourth year and Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski. They played its home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 26–9, 13–5 in ACC play to finish in a tie for third place. They advanced to the championship game of the ACC Tournament where they lost to Virginia. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they lost in the second round to Mercer.

This is a list of upsets by teams seeded 11 or higher that have occurred in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994. In 2022 it expanded to 68 teams.

2018 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament American collegiate basketball competition

The 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams to determine the men's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball national champion for the 2017–18 season. The 80th annual edition of the tournament began on March 13, 2018, and concluded with the championship game on April 2 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

2021 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament American collegiate basketball competition in 2021

The 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams to determine the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college basketball national champion for the 2020–21 season. The 82nd edition of the tournament began play on March 18, 2021 in sites around the state of Indiana, and concluded with the championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 5, with the Baylor Bears defeating the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86–70 to earn the team's first ever title.

2022 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament American collegiate basketball competition

The 2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament involved 68 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament that determined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college basketball national champion for the 2021–22 season. The 83rd annual edition of the tournament began on March 15, 2022, and concluded with the championship game on April 4 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the Kansas Jayhawks defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 72–69, to claim the school’s fourth national title.

2017–18 Virginia Cavaliers mens basketball team American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team represented the University of Virginia during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by head coach Tony Bennett in his ninth year, and played their home games at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The 2017–18 Baylor Lady Bears basketball team represented Baylor University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. Returning as head coach was Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey for her 18th season. The team played its home games at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas and were members of the Big 12 Conference. They finished the season 33–2, 18–0 in Big 12 to win the Big 12 regular season title. They also won the Big 12 Women's Tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Tournament where they defeated Grambling State and Michigan in the first and second rounds before getting upset by Oregon State in the sweet sixteen.

2018–19 Virginia Cavaliers mens basketball team American college basketball season

The 2018–19 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team represented the University of Virginia during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by head coach Tony Bennett in his tenth year, and played their home games at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2018 UMBC vs. Virginia mens basketball game Upset during NCAA March Madness in 2018

On March 16, 2018, during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, the University of Virginia Cavaliers played a college basketball game against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cavaliers, who were seeded first in the South regional bracket and first overall in the NCAA Tournament, faced the Retrievers, who were seeded 16th in the South regional bracket. Virginia and UMBC competed for the right to face ninth-seeded Kansas State, which had already won their first-round game against Creighton earlier in the day.

References

  1. ↑ Thamel, Pete (March 22, 2021). "Why this may already be the craziest NCAA men's tournament ever". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ Wilco, Daniel (March 17, 2018). "Last perfect bracket busts after UMBC pulls off biggest upset in NCAA tournament history". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved March 18, 2018. UMBC (The University of Maryland Baltimore County) scored the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA tournament, beating top overall seed Virginia 74–54 Friday night, and becoming the first 16 seed to win a game in 136 tries.
  3. ↑ "NCAA tourney upsets match first-round record". ESPN.com. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  4. ↑ Axson, Scooby. "Close calls for No. 1 seeds in NCAA Tournament". Sports Illustrated.
  5. ↑ Boone, Kyle (March 17, 2022). "March Madness 2022: Saint Peter's stuns Kentucky, No. 15 upsets No. 2 for 10th time in NCAA Tournament history". CBSSports.com . Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Lipscomb, Keith (March 17, 2019). "March Madness bracket facts for 2019 NCAA tournament". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  7. ↑ Bromberg, Nick (March 17, 2022). "NCAA tournament: No. 11 Michigan rides big second half to win over No. 6 Colorado State". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ "How No. 8 seeds do in March Madness". NCAA.com. February 5, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021. Villanova remains the lowest seed to ever capture a national championship.

See also

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