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 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:

Year Winner Loser Score
2018 UMBC Virginia 74–54

15 vs. 2

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

Year Winner Loser Score
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:

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 89–813 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:

Year Winner Loser Score
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:

Year Winner Loser Score
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 State 61–59OT
Arizona Utah 84–71
Western Kentucky Illinois 76–72
2008 Villanova Clemson 75–69
Western Kentucky Drake 101–99OT
2006 Montana Nevada 87–79
Texas A&M[lower-alpha 5] 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 83–822 OT
Tulsa Marquette 71–69
Missouri Miami (FL) 93–80
2001 Gonzaga[lower-alpha 4] Virginia 86–85
Utah State Ohio State 77–68OT
1999 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:

Year Winner Loser Score
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 Dame 76–64
VCU Duke 79–77
2006 Milwaukee Oklahoma 82–74
George Mason Michigan State 75–65
2005 UAB LSU 82–68
2003 Central Michigan Creighton 79–73
2002 Wyoming Gonzaga 73–68
Southern Illinois Texas Tech 76–68
2001 Georgia State Wisconsin 50–49
Temple Texas 79–65
2000 Pepperdine Indiana 77–57
1998 Washington Xavier 69–68
Western Michigan Clemson 75–72
1996 Boston College Indiana 64–51
1995 Texas Oregon 90–73
1994 Penn 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.

Year Winner Loser Score
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 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 Minnesota 75–63
1998 West Virginia Temple 82–52
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 Maryland 91–79
1995 Stanford UNC Charlotte[lower-alpha 10] 70–68
1994 George Washington UAB 51–46
Maryland Saint Louis 74–66
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.

Year Winner Loser Score
2022 Saint Peter's (7) Murray State 70–60
2021 Oral Roberts (7) Florida 81–78
2013 Florida 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.

Year Winner Loser Score
1997 Chattanooga (6) Illinois 75–63
1986 Cleveland State (6) Saint Joseph's 75–69

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.

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[lower-alpha 10] 85–72
1998 Valparaiso‡ (12) Florida State 83–77OT
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 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)
Year Winner Loser Score
2019 Oregon UC Irvine 73–54
2011 Richmond Morehead State 65–48
2009 Arizona Cleveland State 71–57
2008 Western Kentucky San Diego 72–63
Villanova Siena 84–72
2001 Gonzaga Indiana State 85–68
1993 George Washington Southern 90–80
1992 New Mexico State Southwestern Louisiana[lower-alpha 3] 81–73
1991 Eastern Michigan Penn State 71–68OT
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 4)
Year Winner Loser Score
2021 Oregon State Oklahoma State 80–70
2013 Oregon Saint Louis 74–57
2010 Cornell Wisconsin 87–69
2005 Milwaukee Boston College 83–75
2003 Butler Louisville 79–71
2002 Missouri Ohio State 83–64
1999 Southwest Missouri State[lower-alpha 11] Tennessee 81–51
1996 Arkansas Marquette 65–56
1994 Tulsa Oklahoma State 82–80
1990 Ball State Louisville 62–60
1987 Wyoming UCLA 78–68
1986 DePaul Oklahoma 74–69
1985 Kentucky UNLV 64–61

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)
Year Winner Loser Score
2021 UCLA Abilene Christian 67–47
2015 UCLA UAB 92–75
2014 Tennessee Mercer 83–63
1998 Washington Richmond 81–66
1991 Connecticut[lower-alpha 2] Xavier 66–50
1989 Minnesota Siena 80–67
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 3)
Year Winner Loser Score
2022 Iowa State Wisconsin 54–49
Michigan Tennessee 76–68
2021 Syracuse West Virginia 75–72
2018 Loyola Chicago Tennessee 63–62
Syracuse Michigan State 55–53
2017 Xavier Florida State 91–66
2016 Gonzaga Utah 82–59
2014 Dayton Syracuse 55–53
2012 NC State Georgetown 66–63
2011 Marquette Syracuse 66–62
VCU Purdue 94–76
2010 Washington New Mexico 82–64
2006 George Mason North Carolina 65–60
2002 Southern Illinois Georgia 77–75
2001 Temple Florida 75–54
1990 Loyola Marymount Michigan 149–115
1988 Rhode Island Syracuse 97–94
1986 LSU Memphis State[lower-alpha 7] 83–81
1985 Auburn Kansas 66–64
Boston College Duke 74–73

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)
Year Winner Loser Score
2016 Syracuse Middle Tennessee 75–50
2012 Xavier Lehigh 70–58
2001 Georgetown Hampton 76–57
1997 Texas Coppin State 82–81
1991 Temple Richmond 77–64
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 2)
Year Winner Loser Score
2022 Miami (FL) Auburn 79–61
2014 Stanford Kansas 60–57
2011 Florida State Notre Dame 71–58
2010 St. Mary's Villanova 75–68
2008 Davidson Georgetown 74–70
2005 NC State Connecticut[lower-alpha 2] 65–62
2004 Nevada Gonzaga 91–72
2003 Auburn Wake Forest 68–62
2002 Kent State Alabama 71–58
2000 Seton Hall Temple 67–65OT
Gonzaga St. John's 82–76
1999 Purdue Miami (FL) 73–63
Miami (OH) Utah 66–58
Gonzaga Stanford 82–74
1998 West Virginia Cincinnati 75–74
1997 Providence Duke 98–87
1994 Maryland UMass 95–87
1990 Texas Purdue 73–72
1987 LSU Temple 72–62

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)
Year Winner Loser Score
2018 Kansas State UMBC 50–43
First and Second Round upsets (vs. 1)
Year Winner Loser Score
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.

Year Winner Loser Score
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
2002 UCLA Cincinnati 105–1012OT
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.

Year Winner Loser Score
2022 Saint 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).

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 88–78OT
2018 Loyola Chicago‡ (7) Nevada 69–68
2017 Xavier (2) Arizona 73–71
2014 Dayton‡ (10) Stanford 82–72
2011 VCU‡ (10) Florida State 72–71OT
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

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

Year Winner Loser Score
2022 Miami (FL)† (11) Iowa State 70–56
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

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.

Year Winner Loser Score
2022 North Carolina (4) UCLA 73–66
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

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.

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[lower-alpha 2] 86–84OT
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

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.

Year Winner Loser Score
2022 North Carolina† (15) Saint Peter's 69–49
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 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.

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
2022 North Carolina (2) Duke 81–77
2014 Kentucky (2) Wisconsin 74–73
2011 Butler† (11) VCU 70–62
1985 Villanova (2) Memphis State[lower-alpha 7] 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.[8]

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
  1. Known athletically as Little Rock since 2015–16.
  2. Known athletically as UConn since 2013–14.
  3. Now known athletically as Louisiana.
  4. 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. 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. 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. Known athletically as Charlotte since 2000–01.
  11. Known as Missouri State since 2005–06.

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. 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.
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