Eight greatest upsets in NCAA Tournament history

For the better part of two decades, UConn had a program that was seen on a similar level as college powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State. The Huskies' 2005-06 season was a perfect example of that as the team went 30-3, was ranked third in the country at the start of March Madness and had four future first-round picks in the NBA Draft.

George Mason was the opposite. It was ranked for only a week that season, had no players taller than 6-foot-8 and couldn’t even win its own conference tourney. Nevertheless, it was the Cinderella team of 2006 as it shocked its way to the Elite Eight, and not even UConn could halt their magical ride to the Final Four. The defeat will go down as one of the biggest in UConn’s history and firmly establish George Mason as a household name in college hoops.

7. Virginia Commonwealth gets to Final Four by upsetting Kansas (2011)

Kansas was one of the most battle-tested programs in the sport in 2011. The team was 32-2 and navigated the perils of Big 12 play, which had five other ranked teams. The Jayhawks made it all the way to the Elite Eight as expected, and then they met up with that year’s Cinderella squad, Virginia Commonwealth University.

VCU didn’t win its conference title and had no NBA-level talent on the roster, but it didn’t matter. As the Rams put up a fantastic defensive showing where they limited Kansas to 35% shooting from the field and a stunning 10% from three. They punched a surprise ticket to the Final Four with one of the best March Madness upsets ever.

6. Middle Tennessee starters crush and upset Michigan State (2016)

Michigan State is one of the major brands of college basketball, so whenever the Spartans lose in the NCAA Tournament, it is newsworthy. However, their defeat in 2016 was historic as they added their name to the unfortunate list of No. 2 seeds that fell in the opening round to a 15-seed.

What makes it hurt all the more is that the Blue Raiders didn’t have the greatest game of their life as MSU had more assists and just four more turnovers than their foes. But Middle Tennessee's starting five were dominant at times as all five men scored in double digits as the massive underdogs won going away.

5. Oral Roberts bounces Ohio State in the first round (2021)

Oral Roberts was part of the 2021 growing tradition of 15-seeds bumping off No. 2s. This time Ohio State was the victim and Buckeyes fans owed all their heartbreak that year to the dynamic duo of Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor. The pair played all 45 minutes of the game, including overtime, and dropped 59 of the team’s 75 points in the stunning win.

4. Steve Nash and Santa Clara shock Arizona (1993)

Future NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash officially put his name on the basketball map as a freshman for Santa Clara in 1993. While he wasn’t the top player on that team, he was still a notable element of a group that shocked an Arizona team that had six future NBA players, in the first round of that year’s NCAA Tournament.

Arizona won 19 straight at one point and ran through the Pac-10 with a 17-1 conference record. While the Broncos barely got into the tourney. However, when it mattered most they played next-level defense and were able to shut down an elite crew of talent in the second half and score a three-point win in the opening round.

3. Saint Peter’s shocks world and Kentucky with first March Madness win (2022)

The Saint Peter’s Peacocks took the basketball world by storm last year with their shocking run through the tournament. It all started for the small New Jersey school with one of the greatest March Madness upsets ever when they beat 2-seed Kentucky in the opening round of the tourney.

Saint Peter’s first NCAA Tournament win would be followed by more in 2022; however, those wouldn’t top their thrilling overtime win over Kentucky. The defeat also stretched the legendary program’s winless streak in the tourney to three years.

2. UMBC makes NCAA history against Virginia (2018)

UMBC’s 2018 win over Virginia makes the top two of our all-time March Madness upsets list because it was the first time in NCAA Tournament history that a 16-seed beat one of the top four seeds in the brackets. Yet, this was no ordinary win, UMBC blew Virginia’s doors off in the second half, scoring 53 of its 74 total points.

Not only did the Cavaliers end up on the wrong end of history, but they were also embarrassed to the tune of a 20-point loss in the opening round of the 2018 tournament.

1. North Carolina State and Jim Valvano upend Akeem Olajuwon and Houston (1983)

While the North Carolina State Wolfpack surprised many by winning the ACC tournament in 1983, they were viewed as an underwhelming sixth seed in that year’s tourney. However, they continued their hot streak through the tournament and had a date with the top squad in the nation, Houston, in the championship game.

Houston was a star-studded team that featured future Hall of Famers Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. After two losses to start the season, they won 26 straight and smashed their way through the tournament. They were expected to continue that reign of terror against NC State in the title game.

Yet, head coach Jim Valvano and his team shocked the world with a buzzer-beater tip-in that set up one of the most legendary celebrations in college basketball history, which you can view above. That is why it is at the top of your March Madness upsets of all-time list.