Living in the Maddness of March

March Madness is a spectacle filled with surprises, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a No. 16 seed shocking the world or a double-digit seed making a deep run, the tournament always delivers thrilling drama. As we gear up for another March Madness, who knows which underdog will write the next chapter in upset history?

The Tournament is synonymous with unpredictability — hence, March Maddness. Every year, powerhouse programs enter the NCAA tournament with championship aspirations, only to be sent home early by scrappy underdogs hungry for an upset. These Cinderella stories have become a defining feature of the tournament, captivating basketball fans across the nation.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest upsets in March Madness history, as well as a few little-known facts about this iconic event.

The Biggest Upsets in March Madness History

Georgetown was on the wrong end of 2 of the most shocking upsets

Villanova (8) vs. Georgetown (1) – 1985
Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, was an intimidating force in 1985, but Villanova executed a near-perfect game to pull off a stunning upset in the championship. Shooting an astounding 78.6% from the field, the Wildcats held off the heavily favored Hoyas to win 66-64, claiming their first national title.

Florida Gulf Coast (15) vs. Georgetown (2) – 2013
Dubbed “Dunk City” for their high-flying play style, Florida Gulf Coast shocked the basketball world by taking down No. 2 seed Georgetown, 78-68. They became the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16, capturing fans’ hearts with their exhilarating alley-oops and fearless play.

The Blue Bloods of Basketball also checked into Heartbreak Hotel

Saint Peter’s (15) vs. Kentucky (2) – 2022
In one of the most recent stunning upsets, tiny Saint Peter’s stunned basketball royalty, Kentucky, in a 85-79 overtime thriller. This victory propelled them on a magical run to the Elite Eight, the deepest run ever by a No. 15 seed.

Little-Known Facts About March Madness

1. The lowest seed to ever win the championship was a No. 8.
   Villanova’s historic 1985 victory over Georgetown remains the lowest seed to claim the title. Though several teams have come close, no lower seed has ever completed the Cinderella run to the championship.
2. A No. 11 seed has made the Final Four three times.
   Loyola Chicago (2018), LSU (1986), and George Mason (2006) all defied the odds as No. 11 seeds to reach the Final Four. However, none advanced to the championship game.
3. The tournament used to be much smaller.
   The first NCAA tournament in 1939 featured only eight teams. The field has since expanded multiple times, reaching its current format of 68 teams in 2011.
4. The highest-scoring game in tournament history had 264 points.
   In 1990, Loyola Marymount defeated Michigan, 149-115, in a game that remains the highest combined score in March Madness history.
5. A perfect bracket has never been officially recorded.
   Despite millions of people filling out brackets each year, no one has ever correctly predicted every single game in the tournament’s history. The odds of doing so are estimated to be 1 in 9.2 quintillion.

March Madness continues to captivate fans with its thrilling upsets and unpredictable outcomes. Every year, new Cinderella teams rise to the occasion, proving that anything is possible in college basketball. As we look forward to the next tournament, one thing is certain—March Madness will continue to deliver unforgettable moments and legendary performances.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2025 at 1:10 pm and is filed under Getting Off Track. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.