The NCAA basketball men's tournament champion is chosen annually by the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also referred to as March Madness. Each year, once the regular season and postseason are over, this event is held in March or April.
The 85th March Madness tournament will take place in 2024. The various collegiate men's basketball teams are already vying for conference titles. When the conference champions are announced, the NCAA Basketball Tournament—also referred to as March Madness—begins.
After being ranked differently in their respective regions, the conference champions and the wildcard entrants will face off to become the national champions. The two basketball teams left will square off in the championship game, and the team with the fewest points will win the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 2024.
No. 1 seed defeated in March Madness?
In 2018, UMBC made history by being the first 16-seed to upset a No. 1 seed when the Retrievers overcame Virginia and gained instant notoriety. FDU upset Purdue in 2023 to become just the second 16-seed to defeat a No. 1.
Going into 2018, it seemed like the first 16-over-1 upset would be close. Nevertheless, UMBC dominated the majority of the game to defeat Virginia 74–54. The 20-point gap in this instance—which is also regarded as the largest upset in March Madness—was the main focus. Next, UMBC would lose 50-43 to Kansas State in round after round. Either way, that Retrievers team will live on in history.
The first-seeded Purdue and 16th-seeded FDU showdown appeared to be almost guaranteed in 2023. The boilermakers were selected to advance in more than 97% of brackets. It was, after all, a battle between the lowest club in the field at FDU and the tallest team in the tournament, Purdue, headed by 7-foot-4 Zach Edey.
For most of the match, the Knights maintained a slim advantage. The goal was to neutralise the remainder of the Purdue offence, not so much to stop the towering Edey. FDU succeeded in doing so, forcing multiple errant shots and restricting the Boilermakers to only 36% field goal shooting in the 63-58 victory.
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History of No. 16 vs. No. 1 seeds in March Madness
The 16th seed has a difficult record versus the top seeds in March Madness history—150-2 overall. The second-ever upset happened when FDU overcame Purdue in 2023. In the NCAA tournament, this equates to a 1.32% victory percentage for 16 seeds against 1 seed.
In a 16 vs. 1 matchup, no game has been decided by a single possession since 1996. The game with the greatest score occurred in 1987, when UNC defeated Penn 113-82.
As seen by UCLA's 70-29 victory over Mississippi Valley State in 2008 and Georgetown's 50-49 victory over Princeton in 1989, the lowest score in a 1 vs. 16 game is 99 points. The biggest blowout in the history of this game happened in 1998, when Kansas easily defeated Prairie View A&M, winning 110-52.
What is the probability of No. 15 vs. No. 2 upset?
11 times, No. 15 seeds have upset No. 2 seeds. Once every four years or so, a 15-seed seems to appear out of nowhere and upset a No. 2 seed; yet, most fade following their initial huge victory.
Saint Peter's was the only #15 seed to progress to the Elite 8 in 2022, with just three other #15 seeds making it to the Sweet 16. The most recent was in 2023, when Princeton defeated Arizona 59-55.
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FAQ's on Has a number one seed ever been lost?
A. Yes, in 2018, UMBC made history as the first 16-seed to upset a No. 1 seed, defeating Virginia.
A. The 16th seed has a challenging record, with only two upsets, UMBC in 2018 and FDU in 2023, in history.
A. The probability of a No. 15 vs. No. 2 upset is around 7%. 15 seeds have upset 2 seeds 11 times.
A. Saint Peter's, a #15 seed in 2022, reached Elite 8, making it a rare and impressive achievement.
A. In 2023, FDU became the second 16-seed to defeat a No. 1 seed by upsetting Purdue in March Madness.
