It’s never happened in the history of the NCAA Tournament, but tonight, history has been made. The overall 1 seed Virginia falls in the first round to the number 16 seed, the UMBC Retrievers.
16 seed UMBC upsets 1 seed Virginia
There have been a few close calls over the years. However, there has never been a 1 seed upset in the first round by a 16 seed.
Tonight, the University of Maryland (Baltimore County) upset the overall 1 seed Virginia, and it wasn’t even close. The Retrievers decisively defeated the Cavaliers by a score of 74-54. It’s only the third loss of the season for the ACC champions.
Before tonight, 1 seeds were 135-0 against 16 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia’s exceptionally strong defense was nearly nonexistent against the Retrievers. UMBC managed to shoot 54.2 percent from the floor and 12-24 from three while Virginia was 4-22 from the perimeter and only had five assists on the night.
Retrievers guard Jairus Lyles had a career night for UMBC, with 28 points on 9-11 shooting from the floor. Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome led the way for Virginia with 15 points each.
Virginia was expected to be a championship favorite in the South Region. Now, the South Region really opens up for the likes of Cincinnati, Tennessee, Kentucky, or others to make a run.
However, expectations were tempered after the loss of 6th man DeAndre Hunter, who was more like a 6th starter for Virginia. His prowess on the defensive end was a major part of their identity. His presence was obviously missed against the Retrievers’ perimeter players.
Questions for Virginia
Now, there are some real questions for Virginia and Tony Bennett. The great amount of regular season success is overtaken by serious shortcomings in the NCAA Tournament during the Bennett era.
Virginia is also known for being part of a historic upset when they lost to Chaminade in 1982. That’s known as one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history. This one could rival it due to the implications of being in the NCAA Tournament.
And now, a season in which many thought the Cavaliers could make history and win the NCAA Tournament, the University of Virginia will go down in history… but not the way that they wanted to.
UMBC will move on to face Kansas State in the Round of 32.
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