What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

[Zenigundam]

What do you think has been the biggest upset in NCAA History to this point?
I think it would have to be Hampton-Iowa State in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. The way that game unfolded was crazy. I remember it was the late night game over here in the east and Hampton just kept sticking around the whole game.
Iowa State had Hampton beaten twice. They were up by like 20 with 15 minutes to go and blew the leader, then they were up by about 2 or 3 WITH the ball and the lead in the final minute and it looked like Hampton was finished. I still can't believe the manner in which they won that game. It looked like Tinsley was going to pull it out of the fire for Iowa State but he blew the wide open layup at the end.
That's the only time I've seen a 2 seed lose in the 1st round and I still can't believe it happened.

I know a lot of people are going to say George Mason beating UConn but that really wasn't the best in my opinion. Everyone knew UConn was overrated. Rudy Gay never lived up to his billing (He must have shot like 20% in college) and the rest of the team was garbage. Shut down Marcus Williams and UConn's in trouble against anyone.

And George Mason was a very good team. They were ranked in the Top 25 during the season and, unlike most mid-major cinderellas, they had 2 excellent post players in Lewis and Thomas. Not to mention they got a fortuitous draw and got to play Wichita State in the Sweet 16.

I also don't think Butler's run last year was that spectacular. They were a 5 seed, had excellent chemistry and played the best defense in the NCAA. The only surpring thing was that they beat Syracuse, I didn't see that one coming, that was quite an upset.

So I would say Hampton beating Iowa State was the greatest upset in NCAA Tournament history.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Imo personally nothing beats Northern Iowa over Kansas last year, when Farokhmanesh hit that 3 that iced the game my family and I went crazy, Heck I still can't help but smile everytime I see that highlight. That game is prolly something I won't ever forget when it's March Madness time, even to I picked KU in my bracket I couldn't but be on the edge of my seat cheering for the upset and then freaking out.

Turns out my grandma went to school there for nursing so that was my team the rest of the Tourny lol

[yankeesgiants]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Off the top of my head:

The Cuse losing to Richmond in '91. Another classic Beheim choke job. Princeton upsets defending champs UCLA in the first round in 1996.

[Cusefan]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

When Arinze Onuaku got injured, I knew there was no way Syracuse was going to go deep in the Tourney. Honestly, I think if Arinze did not get injured in the Big East Tourney, Syracuse was going to the Final Four, no doubt about it.

[Cusefan]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Off the top of my head:

The Cuse losing to Richmond in '91. Another classic Boeheim choke job. Princeton upsets defending champs UCLA in the first round in 1996.

I was going to mention that, I believe that was the first time a #2 seed lost in the opening round. Curious to call it a Boeheim Choke job though, i was pretty sure the Players played the games, I could be wrong though.

[elicoleman]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Harold "The Sheaux" Arceneuax and #14 seed Weber State knocking off #3 UNC back in 99.

Also, #14 Bucknell beating #3 Kansas.

[Zenigundam]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Imo personally nothing beats Northern Iowa over Kansas last year, when Farokhmanesh hit that 3 that iced the game my family and I went crazy, Heck I still can't help but smile everytime I see that highlight. That game is prolly something I won't ever forget when it's March Madness time, even to I picked KU in my bracket I couldn't but be on the edge of my seat cheering for the upset and then freaking out.

Turns out my grandma went to school there for nursing so that was my team the rest of the Tourny lol

Haha, I actually picked UNI in my bracket. I picked them into to the Final Four, but that didn't happen. They had a lot of games on ESPN2 last year and you could tell they were dangerous. 4 legitimate 3 point shooters, a quality 7 footer and the PF is the MVC Player of the Year. Man I knew that team had some magic. Kansas on the other hand was quite overrated. Collins is only 5'10" so it was quite difficult for him to deal with UNI's defense. The Morris twins aren't great scorers at all. The biggest problem Kansas had was that their one decent score, Tyrell Reed, had an off night and that was all she wrote.

[Husker_OS]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

#14 NW State over #3 Iowa was crazy. It was an early game to boot.

[elicoleman]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

#14 NW State over #3 Iowa was crazy. It was an early game to boot.

I thought about that game but then I remembered it's Iowa. LOL

However, I do agree it was an awesome game. The fact that "Northwestern" came back from 15 down and the shot by Wallace to win it is what makes it awesome.

[Zenigundam]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Harold "The Sheaux" Arceneuax and #14 seed Weber State knocking off #3 UNC back in 99.

Also, #14 Bucknell beating #3 Kansas.

Those were some crazy upsets. Every time it looked like UNC was going to come back and put the game away, that dude kept hitting shots.

The Bucknell one was ever worse though, especially since Bucknell choked that one away in the final minute and Kansas couldn't seal the deal. Really thought Simien's shot was going in.

[Zenigundam]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

#14 NW State over #3 Iowa was crazy. It was an early game to boot.

Really did not see some Southland team beating one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Bruenner choked that one away at the FT line.

[Zenigundam]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

When Arinze Onuaku got injured, I knew there was no way Syracuse was going to go deep in the Tourney. Honestly, I think if Arinze did not get injured in the Big East Tourney, Syracuse was going to the Final Four, no doubt about it.

That Onuaku injury killed Syracuse. That team was better than their 2003 National Championship team.
On a normal day, Syracuse crushes Butler by 20.

[Sportsforever]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

I think the 1983 NCAA title game was a pretty big upset...most folks considered the UL/UH semifinal game the De-facto championship game. 1985 Villanova over Georgetown has to be up there too.

[elicoleman]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Those were some crazy upsets. Every time it looked like UNC was going to come back and put the game away, that dude kept hitting shots.

The Bucknell one was ever worse though, especially since Bucknell choked that one away in the final minute and Kansas couldn't seal the deal. Really thought Simien's shot was going in.

Thing is, I remember exactly where I was when I saw both of those happen.

For UNC/WSU, I was in my hotel room in Indy (after seeing Wintrhop/Auburn and Oklahoma State/Syracuse). Back then, I was a big UNC fan and it was heartbreaking.

For KU/Bucknell, I was at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville watching Louisville/UL Lafayette and went out into the hall where people had gathered around some TVs and I literally was running around after Bucknell hit the shot to take the lead. People thought I had lost my mind.

March Madness is truly something special.

[Chaos81]

Re: What was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament History?

Imo personally nothing beats Northern Iowa over Kansas last year

Gets my vote as well.

I think the 1983 NCAA title game was a pretty big upset...most folks considered the UL/UH semifinal game the De-facto championship game. 1985 Villanova over Georgetown has to be up there too.

1988 was pretty big as well, although that might be a bit of a homer pick.