Top 10 Biggest Upsets in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament

You've heard the term Cinderella story thrown around in the world of sports, and nowhere is it more prevalent than in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This annual spectacle, affectionately known as March Madness, is a breeding ground for upsets, those thrilling moments when a lower-seeded team topples a giant. These David vs. Goliath battles become the stuff of legends, talked about for years to come.
The Top Ten
1 (16) UMBC def. (1) Virginia (2018) The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) defeated the number one overall seed, Virginia, with a decisive 74-54 victory. This game marked the first time in NCAA Tournament history that a 16-seed defeated a 1-seed. UMBC's stifling defense and hot shooting from beyond the arc were key to their historic upset.

Wow, just unbelievable. For the first time in the history of the tournament, the curse has been broken. Now, anybody from any seed can lose on any given day of play.

2 (8) Villanova def. (1) Georgetown (1985) Villanova, the 8-seed, shocked Georgetown, the defending national champions, with a 66-64 win in the 1985 NCAA Championship game. The Wildcats executed one of the most efficient shooting performances in tournament history, hitting 78.6% of their shots. Villanova's win is considered one of the greatest upsets in NCAA Championship history.
3 (11) George Mason def. (1) Connecticut (2006) George Mason, an 11-seed, defeated top-seeded Connecticut 86-84 in overtime to reach the Final Four. The Patriots' victory was unexpected as they overcame a team stacked with future NBA talent. This win solidified George Mason's Cinderella run in the 2006 tournament.
4 (6) NC State def. (1) Houston (1983) North Carolina State, a 6-seed, defeated top-seeded Houston 54-52 in the 1983 NCAA Championship game. The game ended with a dramatic last-second dunk by Lorenzo Charles, giving NC State the title. This victory is often remembered for the underdog NC State team overcoming the heavily favored Houston squad, known for their "Phi Slama Jama" lineup.
5 (15) Richmond def. (2) Syracuse (1991) Richmond, a 15-seed, pulled off a major upset by defeating 2-seed Syracuse 73-69 in the first round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament. This win marked the first time a 15-seed had ever beaten a 2-seed in tournament history. Richmond's disciplined play and timely shooting were key factors in their victory.
6 (15) Santa Clara def. (2) Arizona (1993) Santa Clara, a 15-seed, stunned 2-seed Arizona with a 64-61 victory in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament. The Broncos were led by future NBA MVP Steve Nash in their unexpected win. This upset was one of the earliest major achievements in Nash's storied basketball career.
7 (5) Indiana def. (1) Duke (2002) Indiana, the 5-seed, upset top-seeded Duke 74-73 in the 2002 Sweet Sixteen. The Hoosiers overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to secure the win. This victory ended Duke's bid for a repeat national championship.
8 (15) Florida Gulf Coast def. (2) Georgetown (2013) Florida Gulf Coast, a 15-seed, shocked 2-seed Georgetown 78-68 in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. The Eagles' high-flying style of play earned them the nickname "Dunk City" as they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. This victory marked Florida Gulf Coast's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and win.
9 (9) Northern Iowa def. (1) Kansas (2010) Northern Iowa, a 9-seed, upset top-seeded Kansas 69-67 in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The game is best remembered for Ali Farokhmanesh's deep three-pointer that sealed the victory in the final seconds. This win was one of the biggest upsets of the 2010 tournament.
10 (14) Bucknell def. (3) Kansas (2005) Bucknell, a 14-seed, defeated 3-seed Kansas 64-63 in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. The Bison secured their victory with a last-second shot by Chris McNaughton. This win was Bucknell's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory and a significant upset over the Jayhawks.
The Contenders
11 (13) Valparaiso def. (4) Ole Miss (1998) Valparaiso, a 13-seed, upset 4-seed Ole Miss 70-69 in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. The game ended with Bryce Drew's buzzer-beating three-pointer, which became one of the most iconic moments in tournament history. Valparaiso's victory was a key moment in their Cinderella run to the Sweet Sixteen.
12 (13) Buffalo def. (4) Arizona (2018) Buffalo, a 13-seed, stunned 4-seed Arizona with an 89-68 win in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The Bulls' relentless pace and three-point shooting overwhelmed the Wildcats. This upset marked Buffalo's first-ever NCAA Tournament win and eliminated a heavily favored Arizona team.

Who would have known that Ayton's squad would lose to Massinburg's charge?

13 (14) Mercer def. (3) Duke (2014) Mercer, a 14-seed, defeated 3-seed Duke 78-71 in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Bears executed a well-rounded game plan, outplaying the Blue Devils in the closing minutes. This victory was one of the biggest upsets in the 2014 tournament.
14 (16) Fairleigh Dickinson def. (1) Purdue (2023) Fairleigh Dickinson, a 16-seed, defeated top-seeded Purdue 63-58 in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. This victory marked the second time in tournament history that a 16-seed defeated a 1-seed. Fairleigh Dickinson's relentless defense and timely scoring were pivotal in securing this historic upset.
15 (13) Princeton def. (4) UCLA (1996) Princeton, a 13-seed, upset 4-seed UCLA 43-41 in the first round of the 1996 NCAA Tournament. The Tigers used their signature backdoor cuts and disciplined defense to stymie the Bruins. Princeton's win was considered a major upset against the defending national champions.
16 (11) VCU def. (1) Kansas (2011) Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), an 11-seed, upset top-seeded Kansas 71-61 in the Elite Eight of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. The Rams' victory secured their first-ever trip to the Final Four. VCU's run from the First Four to the Final Four remains one of the most remarkable in tournament history.
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