Every year college basketball fans are looking for the huge upsets to pick in round one of the NCAA Tournament. However, it’s more interesting to take a look the specific underdog teams who have gone far beyond just winning a game, such as some great 11 seeds.
In this instance we will focus on the #11 seeds, not only defeating #6 seeds in their head to head matchups, but also going beyond.
Times That 11 Seeds Shocked in NCAA Tournament
History Out Of “First Four’: VCU’s Remarkable Run
And, that includes two teams in recent history, incredibly advanced from the NCAA’s ‘First Four” as an 11 seed to the eventual Final Four, obviously having to win a fifth game to do so.
In 2011, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) had a remarkable journey. They started their run, as a #11, in the newly created round in Dayton, Ohio. They were facing the University of Southern California (USC) and VCU won that game, which was their first step in their historic path to Houston, TX.
Led by sharp shooter, Jamie Skeen, the next wins came over #6 Georgetown and #3 Purdue, who were both favored significantly. The Rams then stunned Florida State in overtime in the “Sweet 16,” and amazingly, overcame the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite Eight round to advance to the Final Four.
With each win, VCU’s Coach by Shaka Smart became an overnight sensation for those two weekends and has gone on to success with Texas and now, Marquette. Their journey culminated in an appearance in that 2011 Final Four in Houston, where they ultimately fell to another upstart, Butler, in a hard-fought semifinal matchup.
Despite the loss, VCU’s run as a #11 stands as one of the most memorable and unexpected in NCAA Tournament history and highlights the unpredictability and magic of March Madness.
UCLA Matched The Feat
Similarly, the UCLA Bruins had an incredible journey to the Final Four out of an opening game in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. That year was the first after the Covid 19 shutdown of all sports in Spring 2020 robbed us of the NCAA tourney.
The Bruins, as an 11th seed, were not initially considered one of the favorites, but they defied expectations and captivated fans with an amazing run. In the “First Four,” UCLA faced perennial March powerhouse, Michigan State in a thrilling overtime game, which they won 86-80 and securing their spot in the main bracket.
With all the rest of the tournament games being played in greater Indianapolis, UCLA continued to showcase their resilience and skill, defeating #6 BYU and upstarts, #14 Abilene Christian (who had beaten #3 Texas) in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Led by scoring forward Johnny Juzang, their toughest challenge, yet, came in the “Sweet 16,” when they faced the 2nd-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide. The game went into overtime, with the Bruins pulling off yet another stunning upset, winning 88-78 and advancing to the Elite Eight.
In that round, coach Mick Cronin’s UCLA faced yet another formidable opponent, with the top seeded Michigan Wolverines. In a closely contested battle, the Bruins emerged victorious with a final score of 51-49, punching their ticket to the Final Four. UCLA played an epic national semifinal game with Gonzaga- only to lose on a mid-court buzzer beating shot in OT.
Now, it’s important to compare that UCLA had no real travel for their three weekends of action, as they stayed isolated in Indiana (like every other team in the tourney) for that 2021 tourney. And, therefore, you could argue that VCU, having to go to four different locations to play over the three weekends should rank higher.
Don’t Forget Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean
Next, another 11 seed that “marched on” in the “Big Dance” was the 2018 Loyola Ramblers. Led by their coach, Porter Moser, and the spirited play of Clayton Custer and the blessings of “Sister Jean,” the Ramblers became one of the tournament’s most captivating stories.
Their journey to the Final Four in San Antonio was truly remarkable with wins over #6 Miami and then, #3 Tennessee, but then catching a couple of easier opponents in #7 Nevada and then, beating Kansas State, the #9 seed, in the “Elite Eight Game” to advance to the Final Four in San Antonio, TX. The run was ended by the #7 seeded Michigan Wolverines in the national semi-final.
The names of the #11 seeds in 2024 are N.C. State, Oregon (again), Duquesne and New Mexico. And, do any of them have the talented and the execution to win multiple games and possibly, have a place in Glendale, AZ?
We’re about to find out.
