Reliving the Wildest NCAA Tournament Upsets in History
In one of the wildest first-round matchups of all time, we just witness the #16 ranked Fairleigh Dickinson upset the first-ranked Purdue. It is considered the biggest upset in NCAA history — because Fairleigh Dickinson was technically ranked #68 in the overall field of 68 teams. As shocking as it was impressive, these are the types of games that force even the most casual of basketball fans to pay attention to the NCAA tournament each year.
There’s a reason it is referred to as “March Madness.” It is one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in all of sports. Every year, underdogs and powerhouse teams clash on the court, often leading to some of the most shocking upsets in sports history. These upsets can come from anywhere, as teams from small conferences can take down giants from the Power 5 conferences. From buzzer-beaters to double-digit upsets, the NCAA Tournament has seen it all. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the most shocking NCAA tournament upsets of all time.
#16 UMBC over #1 Virginia (2018)
Read More »The upset was not only shocking but also historic, as it marked the first time in NCAA tournament history that a 16th-seeded team had defeated a 1-seeded team. It was a moment that will go down in history and cemented UMBC’s place as one of the greatest underdogs in college basketball history. The game also spawned a viral social media sensation with the hashtag #RetrieverNation and brought national attention to the small Baltimore-based university. The game will forever be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in NCAA tournament history and a reminder that anything can happen in March Madness.
#2 Lehigh over #2 Duke (2012)
The upset by Lehigh over Duke in the 2012 NCAA tournament is widely considered to be one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history. Duke, a perennial powerhouse and one of the most successful programs in NCAA history, was heavily favored to win the game against Lehigh, a small school from the Patriot League that had never won an NCAA tournament game before. Despite the odds being stacked against them, Lehigh came out with a game plan and executed it to perfection. The Mountain Hawks were led by their star guard, C.J. McCollum, who scored a game-high 30 points and had six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. McCollum’s performance was one of the best in NCAA tournament history and helped lead his team to victory.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with Lehigh holding a slim lead for most of the second half. Duke made a late run to try to take the lead, but Lehigh held on, hitting clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the upset. The upset was significant not only because of the high-profile nature of the Duke program but also because it marked just the sixth time in NCAA tournament history that a 15th-seeded team had defeated a 2nd-seeded team. The victory put Lehigh on the map and helped to inspire future underdog teams in their own improbable runs. Lehigh defeating Duke in the 2012 NCAA tournament was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of March Madness and showed that anything can happen on the court. It also showcased the resilience and grit of underdog teams and their ability to rise to the occasion and compete with the best teams in the country.
#15 Middle Tennessee over #2 Michigan St (2016)
The upset by Middle Tennessee over Michigan State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA tournament was a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves throughout the college basketball world. The Spartans were heavily favored to win the game and were expected to make a deep run in the tournament, having won the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. Middle Tennessee, however, was undeterred and came into the game with a game plan that centered on their scoring depth. The Blue Raiders had all five of their starters finish in double digits, with Reggie Upshaw leading the way with 21 points. They played with confidence and energy, outplaying Michigan State in every aspect of the game.
The Blue Raiders never really pulled away in this game, usually holding between a three and eight-point lead, but Michigan State simply couldn’t stop the Middle Tennessee offense. The Blue Raiders shot an impressive 55.9% from the field and 57.9% from three-point range, with Upshaw hitting several clutch shots down the stretch. The upset was a big part of the rise of former Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis, who had taken over the Middle Tennessee program just a few years prior. The victory put Middle Tennessee on the map and showed that mid-major programs could compete with some of the best teams in the country. The game was a testament to the resilience and grit of the Blue Raiders and showcased their ability to rise to the occasion and compete with the best teams in the country, and Middle Tennessee beating Michigan State in the 2016 NCAA tournament will go down as one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history and another historic reminder that anything can happen in March Madness.
#15 Saint Peter’s over #2 Kentucky (2022)
The matchup between Saint Peter’s and Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament was a thrilling game that went into overtime and will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history and added to the lore of March Madness upsets. Guards Daryl Banks III and Doug Edert were instrumental in the victory, with Banks scoring a career-high 24 points and Edert contributing 23 points, which was his fourth 20-point game of his career.
The victory was a historic moment for Saint Peter’s, as it was their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. The small private school in New Jersey had never advanced beyond the first round of the tournament before this game. On the other hand, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Kentucky, one of the giants of college basketball. It would be the program’s first time in four years to miss the NCAA Tournament, and their last significant postseason success was an Elite Eight run in 2019. Saint Peter’s and Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament was a remarkable upset that will be remembered for years to come. While Saint Peter’s celebrated their historic victory, Kentucky was left to reflect on a missed opportunity and an uncertain future in the tournament.
#15 Santa Clara over #2 Arizona (1993)
In the 1993 NCAA Tournament, the Santa Clara Broncos pulled off a stunning upset over the Arizona Wildcats in the first round. While future NBA star Steve Nash played an important role off the bench, it was Pete Eisenrich who led the Broncos to victory with 18 points. Despite a late surge by Arizona, Santa Clara was able to maintain its lead with solid free-throw shooting. The Wildcats, led by Pac-10 Player of the Year Chris Mills, were unable to overcome the Broncos’ balanced scoring attack and were knocked out of the tournament in the first round. This was a particularly surprising outcome given that Arizona had six future NBA players on their roster.
While the victory was undoubtedly a moment of triumph for the Santa Clara program, it was also a significant moment for Nash. The Canadian guard’s performance in this game was a sign of things to come, and he would go on to have a successful NBA career, earning two MVP awards and being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The upset victory by Santa Clara over Arizona in the 1993 NCAA Tournament remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of March Madness, and yet another reminder that anything can happen in the tournament.
#15 Florida Gulf Coast over #2 Georgetown (2013)
In one of the most exciting upsets in NCAA Tournament history, Florida Gulf Coast University, a 15th seed, defeated the 2nd-seeded Georgetown Hoyas in the first round of the 2013 tournament. This was the first NCAA Tournament appearance for Florida Gulf Coast, making the win even more impressive. Despite facing off against a team with future NBA player Otto Porter, the Eagles were able to dominate the game with a high-flying style of play that came to be known as “Dunk City.” Both Sherwood Brown and Bernard Thompson scored over 20 points, with Brown leading the way with 24. The Eagles’ high-scoring offense, along with their electrifying dunks, proved too much for Georgetown to handle.
The victory over Georgetown was just the beginning for Florida Gulf Coast, as they went on to defeat 7th-seeded San Diego State in the next round. The Eagles’ dynamic style of play, along with their success in the tournament, captured the attention of fans across the country and earned them the nickname “Dunk City.” While Florida Gulf Coast’s tournament run would eventually come to an end in the Sweet 16, their upset victory over Georgetown will be remembered as one of the most exciting moments in March Madness history. The team’s style of play and underdog story captured the hearts of fans and served as a reminder that anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.
Making Underdog History at the NCAA Tournament
The NCAA Tournament has seen its share of incredible underdog stories, most notably in the first rounds of the tournament. These moments have become iconic and are remembered for years to come. From Santa Clara’s upset victory over Arizona in 1993, to Florida Gulf Coast’s run in the 2013 tournament, these moments remind us that anything is possible when it comes to March Madness. While the upsets may not always lead to a championship, they often provide us with exciting moments that will last a lifetime. As we continue to watch the NCAA Tournament unfold, there is no telling what kind of history is yet to be made.
