NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament upsets
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.
This is the list of victories by teams seeded 10 or lower in the first and second rounds of the tournament 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 two 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]
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 and 2012, there were nine 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 (0.69%) since 1985, out of 144 games played:
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2018 | UMBC | Virginia | 74–54 |
15 vs. 2[]
Nine 15-seeds have defeated 2-seeds (6.25%) in the first round:[5]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Oral Roberts | Ohio State | 75–72 (OT) |
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 14-seeds have defeated 3-seeds (15.28%) in the first round:
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
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 | 89–81 (3 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[a] | Notre Dame | 90–83 |
13 vs. 4[]
Thirty-one 13-seeds have defeated 4-seeds (21.53%) in the first round:
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Ohio | Virginia | 62–58 |
North Texas | Purdue | 78–69 (OT) | |
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[b] | 70–69 (OT) | |
2006 | Bradley | Kansas | 77–73 |
2005 | Vermont | Syracuse | 60–57 (OT) |
2003 | Tulsa | Dayton | 84–71 |
2002 | UNC Wilmington | USC | 93–89 (OT) |
2001 | Kent State | Indiana | 77–73 |
Indiana State | Oklahoma | 70–68 (OT) | |
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[c] | 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-one 12-seeds have defeated 5-seeds (35.42%) in the first round:
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Oregon State | Tennessee | 70–56 |
2019 | Murray State | Marquette | 83–64 |
Oregon | Wisconsin | 72–54 | |
Liberty | Mississippi State | 80–76 | |
2017 | Middle Tennessee[d] | Minnesota | 81–72 |
2016 | Little Rock | Purdue | 85–83 (2 OT) |
Yale | Baylor | 79–75 | |
2014 | Stephen F. Austin | VCU | 77–75 (OT) |
North Dakota State | Oklahoma | 80–75 (OT) | |
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 State | 61–59 (OT) |
Arizona | Utah | 84–71 | |
Western Kentucky | Illinois | 76–72 | |
2008 | Villanova | Clemson | 75–69 |
Western Kentucky | Drake | 101–99 (OT) | |
2006 | Montana | Nevada | 87–79 |
Texas A&M[e] | Syracuse | 66–58 | |
2005 | Milwaukee | Alabama | 83–73 |
2004 | Manhattan | Florida | 75–60 |
Pacific | Providence | 66–58 | |
2003 | Butler | Mississippi State | 47–46 |
2002 | Creighton | Florida | 83–82 (2 OT) |
Tulsa | Marquette | 71–69 | |
Missouri | Miami (Florida) | 93–80 | |
2001 | Gonzaga[d] | Virginia | 86–85 |
Utah State | Ohio State | 77–68 (OT) | |
1999 | Missouri State | Wisconsin | 43–32 |
Detroit[f] | UCLA | 56–53 | |
1998 | Florida State | TCU | 96–87 |
1997 | College of Charleston | Maryland | 75–66 |
1996 | Drexel | Memphis State[g] | 75–63 |
Arkansas | Penn State | 86–80 | |
1995 | Miami (Ohio) | Arizona | 71–62 |
1994 | Wisconsin–Green Bay[h] | 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[g] | 66–63 |
1987 | Wyoming | Virginia | 64–60 |
1986 | DePaul | Virginia | 72–68 |
1985 | Kentucky | Washington | 66–58 |
11 vs. 6[]
Fifty-four 11-seeds have defeated 6-seeds (37.5%) in the first round:
10 vs. 7[]
Fifty-seven 10 seeds have defeated 7 seeds (39.6%) 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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
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 | California | 84–71 | |
2008 | Davidson | Gonzaga | 82–76 |
2006 | NC State | California | 58–52 |
Alabama | Marquette | 90–85 | |
2005 | NC State | Charlotte | 75–63 |
2004 | Nevada | Michigan State | 72–66 |
2003 | Auburn | Saint Joseph's | 65–63 |
Arizona State | Memphis | 84–71 | |
2002 | Kent State | Oklahoma State | 69–61 |
2001 | Butler | Wake Forest | 79–63 |
Georgetown | Arkansas | 63–61 | |
2000 | Seton Hall | Oregon | 72–71 |
Gonzaga | Louisville | 77–66 | |
1999 | Purdue | Texas | 58–54 |
Miami (OH) | Washington | 59–58 | |
Creighton | Louisville | 62–58 | |
Gonzaga | 75–63 | ||
1998 | West Virginia | Temple | 82–52 |
Saint Louis | UMass | 51–46 | |
Detroit[f] | St. John's | 66–64 | |
1997 | Texas | Wisconsin | 71–58 |
Providence | Marquette | 81–59 | |
1996 | Michigan | 80–76 | |
Santa Clara | Maryland | 91–79 | |
1995 | Stanford | UNC Charlotte[i] | 70–68 |
1994 | George Washington | UAB | 51–46 |
Maryland | Saint Louis | 74–66 | |
1992 | Iowa State | UNC Charlotte[i] | 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 Kansas State 50–43.
15 seeds[]
Two 15 seeds have won their second-round games. Both wins were against 7 seeds.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Oral Roberts | (7) Florida | 81–78 |
2013 | Florida Gulf Coast | (7) San Diego State | 81–71 |
14 seeds[]
Two 14 seeds have won their second-round games. Both wins were against 6 seeds.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
1997 | Chattanooga | (6) Illinois | 75–63 |
1986 | Cleveland State | (6) Saint Joseph's | 75–69 |
13 seeds[]
Six 13 seeds have won their second-round games. Seeds of the losing teams are in parentheses.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2013 | La Salle‡ | (12) Ole Miss | 76–74 |
2012 | Ohio‡ | (12) South Florida | 62–56 |
2006 | Bradley | (5) Pittsburgh | 72–66 |
1999 | Oklahoma | (5) UNC Charlotte[i] | 85–72 |
1998 | Valparaiso‡ | (12) Florida State | 83–77 (OT) |
1988 | Richmond | (5) Georgia Tech | 59–55 |
† Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by only 1 seed line.
12 seeds[]
Twenty-two 12 seeds have won their second-round 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 | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2019 | Oregon | (13) UC Irvine | 73–54 |
2011 | Richmond | (13) Morehead State | 65–48 |
2009 | Arizona | (13) Cleveland State | 71–57 |
2008 | Western Kentucky | (13) San Diego | 72–63 |
Villanova | (13) Siena | 84–72 | |
2001 | Gonzaga | (13) Indiana State | 85–68 |
1993 | George Washington | (13) Southern | 90–80 |
1992 | New Mexico State | (13) Southwestern Louisiana[c] | 81–73 |
1991 | Eastern Michigan | (13) Penn State | 71–68 (OT) |
First and Second Round upsets | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Oregon State | (4) Oklahoma State | 80–70 |
2013 | Oregon | (4) Saint Louis | 74–57 |
2010 | Cornell | (4) Wisconsin | 87–69 |
2005 | Milwaukee | (4) Boston College | 83–75 |
2003 | Butler | (4) Louisville | 79–71 |
2002 | Missouri | (4) Ohio State | 83–64 |
1999 | Southwest Missouri State[j] | (4) Tennessee | 81–51 |
1996 | Arkansas | (4) Marquette | 65–56 |
1994 | Tulsa | (4) Oklahoma State | 82–80 |
1990 | Ball State | (4) Louisville | 62–60 |
1987 | Wyoming | (4) UCLA | 78–68 |
1986 | DePaul | (4) Oklahoma | 74–69 |
1985 | Kentucky | (4) UNLV | 64–61 |
11 seeds[]
Twenty-four 11-seeds have won their second-round games and advanced to the Sweet 16. 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 | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | UCLA | (14) Abilene Christian | 67–47 |
2015 | UCLA | (14) UAB | 92–75 |
2014 | Tennessee | (14) Mercer | 83–63 |
1998 | Washington | (14) Richmond | 81–66 |
1991 | Connecticut[b] | (14) Xavier | 66–50 |
1989 | Minnesota | (14) Siena | 80–67 |
First and Second Round upsets | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Syracuse | (3) West Virginia | 75–72 |
2018 | Loyola Chicago | (3) Tennessee | 63–62 |
Syracuse | (3) Michigan State | 55–53 | |
2017 | Xavier | (3) Florida State | 91–66 |
2016 | Gonzaga | (3) Utah | 82–59 |
2014 | Dayton | (3) Syracuse | 55–53 |
2012 | NC State | (3) Georgetown | 66–63 |
2011 | Marquette | (3) Syracuse | 66–62 |
VCU | (3) Purdue | 94–76 | |
2010 | Washington | (3) New Mexico | 82–64 |
2006 | George Mason | (3) North Carolina | 65–60 |
2002 | Southern Illinois | (3) Georgia | 77–75 |
2001 | Temple | (3) Florida | 75–54 |
1990 | Loyola Marymount | (3) Michigan | 149–115 |
1988 | Rhode Island | (3) Syracuse | 97–94 |
1986 | LSU | (3) Memphis State[g] | 83–81 |
1985 | Auburn | (3) Kansas | 66–64 |
Boston College | (3) Duke | 74–73 |
10 seeds[]
Twenty-three 10-seeds have won their second-round games and advanced to the Sweet 16. 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 | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2016 | Syracuse | (15) Middle Tennessee | 75–50 |
2012 | Xavier | (15) Lehigh | 70–58 |
2001 | Georgetown | (15) Hampton | 76–57 |
1997 | Texas | (15) Coppin State | 82–81 |
1991 | Temple | (15) Richmond | 77–64 |
First and Second Round upsets | |||
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | Stanford | (2) Kansas | 60–57 |
2011 | Florida State | (2) Notre Dame | 71–58 |
2010 | St. Mary's | (2) Villanova | 75–68 |
2008 | Davidson | (2) Georgetown | 74–70 |
2005 | NC State | (2) Connecticut[b] | 65–62 |
2004 | Nevada | (2) Gonzaga | 91–72 |
2003 | Auburn | (2) Wake Forest | 68–62 |
2002 | Kent State | (2) Alabama | 71–58 |
2000 | Seton Hall | (2) Temple | 67–65 |
Gonzaga | (2) St. John's | 82–76 | |
1999 | Purdue | (2) Miami (FL) | 73–63 |
Miami (OH) | (2) Utah | 66–58 | |
Gonzaga | (2) Stanford | 82–74 | |
1998 | West Virginia | (2) Cincinnati | 75–74 |
1997 | Providence | (2) Duke | 98–87 |
1994 | Maryland | (2) UMass | 95–87 |
1990 | Texas | (2) Purdue | 73–72 |
1987 | LSU | (2) Temple | 72–62 |
Sweet Sixteen[]
15 seeds[]
Although two 15 seeds have made it to the Sweet Sixteen, neither of them won their games against the three seeds they played. In 2021, Oral Roberts lost to Arkansas by 2 points.
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.
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).
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | Oregon State | (8) Loyola Chicago | 65–58 |
2002 | Missouri | (8) UCLA | 82–73 |
11 seeds[]
Nine 11-seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | UCLA | (2) Alabama | 88–78 (OT) |
2018 | Loyola Chicago‡ | (7) Nevada | 69–68 |
2017 | Xavier | (2) Arizona | 73–71 |
2014 | Dayton‡ | (10) Stanford | 82–72 |
2011 | VCU‡ | (10) Florida State | 72–71 (OT) |
2006 | George Mason‡ | (7) Wichita State | 63–55 |
2001 | Temple‡ | (7) Penn State | 84–72 |
1990 | Loyola Marymount‡ | (7) Alabama | 62–60 |
1986 | LSU | (2) Georgia Tech | 70–64 |
‡ Not officially an upset because the teams were separated by fewer than 5 seed lines.
10 seeds[]
Eight 10-seeds have won in the Sweet Sixteen and advanced to the Elite Eight.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2016 | Syracuse† | (11) Gonzaga | 63–60 |
2008 | Davidson | (3) Wisconsin | 73–56 |
2002 | Kent State | (3) Pittsburgh | 78–73 |
1999 | Gonzaga‡ | (6) Florida | 73–72 |
1997 | Providence† | (14) Chattanooga | 71–65 |
1991 | Temple | (3) Oklahoma State | 72–63 |
1990 | Texas‡ | (6) Xavier | 102–89 |
1987 | LSU | (3) DePaul | 63–58 |
† 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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2018 | Florida State | (4) Gonzaga | 75–60 |
Kansas State‡ | (5) Kentucky | 61–58 | |
2013 | Wichita State† | (13) La Salle | 72–58 |
1994 | Boston 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[]
Eight 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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | Kentucky | (4) Louisville | 74–69 |
2011 | Butler | (4) Wisconsin | 61–54 |
2004 | Alabama | (5) Syracuse | 80–71 |
2000 | North Carolina | (4) Tennessee | 74–69 |
Wisconsin | (4) LSU | 61–48 | |
1998 | Rhode Island | (13) Valparaiso | 74–68 |
1986 | Auburn | (4) UNLV | 70–63 |
1985 | Villanova | (5) Maryland | 46–43 |
Elite Eight[]
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.
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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2021 | UCLA | (1) Michigan | 51–49 |
2018 | Loyola Chicago‡ | (9) Kansas State | 78–62 |
2011 | VCU | (1) Kansas | 71–61 |
2006 | George Mason | (1) Connecticut[b] | 86–84 (OT) |
1986 | LSU | (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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2016 | Syracuse | (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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2013 | Wichita State | (2) Ohio State | 70–66 |
8 seeds[]
Five 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 five 8-seeded Final Four teams, three advanced to the final game and the 1985 Villanova team famously became the lowest-seeded team to win the Championship.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | Kentucky | (2) Michigan | 75–72 |
2011 | Butler | (2) Florida | 74–71 |
2000 | Wisconsin‡ | (6) Purdue | 64–60 |
North Carolina‡ | (7) Tulsa | 59–55 | |
1985 | Villanova | (2) North Carolina | 56–44 |
‡ 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 they involved teams separated by 3 seed lines instead of the required 5.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
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[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | Kentucky | (2) Wisconsin | 74–73 |
2011 | Butler† | (11) VCU | 70–62 |
1985 | Villanova | (2) Memphis State[g] | 52–45 |
† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.
7 seeds[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | UConn | (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.
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
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.[7]
8 seeds[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
1985 | Villanova | (1) Georgetown | 66–64 |
7 seeds[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
2014 | UConn† | (8) Kentucky | 60–54 |
† Not officially an upset because the winner was seeded above the loser.
6 seeds[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
1988 | Kansas | (1) Oklahoma | 83–79 |
Footnotes[]
- ^ Known athletically as Little Rock since 2015–16.
- ^ a b c d e Known athletically as UConn since 2013–14.
- ^ a b Now known athletically as Louisiana.
- ^ a b Entered the game as the betting favorite in Las Vegas sports books.[6]
- ^ Entered the game as pick'em (even money) in Las Vegas sports books.[6]
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d Known as Memphis since 1994–95.
- ^ Now known athletically as Green Bay.
- ^ a b c Known athletically as Charlotte since 2000–01.
- ^ Known as Missouri State since 2005–06.
References[]
- ^ Thamel, Pete (March 22, 2021). "Why this may already be the craziest NCAA men's tournament ever". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NCAA tourney upsets match first-round record". ESPN.com. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ Axson, Scooby. "Close calls for No. 1 seeds in NCAA Tournament". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Herwitt, Josh. "Top 10 Upsets of the NCAA Tournament". Fox Sports.
- ^ a b Lipscomb, Keith (March 17, 2019). "March Madness bracket facts for 2019 NCAA tournament". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ "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.
- NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
- College men's basketball records and statistics in the United States