The Top 10 First-Round Upsets in NCAA Tournament History

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, better known as March Madness, has built its reputation on chaos. No other major sporting event embraces unpredictability quite like the NCAA Tournament. Every March, underdogs take the floor against heavily favored opponents and occasionally rewrite the sport’s history in a single afternoon.

While upsets happen throughout the tournament, the first round has produced some of the most shocking results ever seen in college basketball. From small mid-major programs knocking off national powers to historically unprecedented bracket-busters, these games changed the way fans think about tournament seeding.

Here are the Top 10 First-Round Upsets in NCAA Tournament History, counting down from No. 10 to No. 1.

10. Richmond (15) def. Syracuse (2) – 1991

Before the 1990s, the idea of a No. 15 seed beating a No. 2 seed was almost unthinkable. That changed forever in 1991 when the Richmond Spiders men’s basketball shocked the basketball world by defeating the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball 73–69.

Syracuse entered the tournament with high expectations under legendary coach Jim Boeheim, but Richmond refused to be intimidated. The Spiders played a patient offensive style and forced Syracuse to play uncomfortable half-court basketball. Richmond’s disciplined execution and clutch shooting allowed them to maintain control of the game late.

The significance of this upset goes far beyond the final score. Richmond became the first No. 15 seed ever to win an NCAA Tournament game, breaking a barrier that had stood since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

That victory helped establish the belief that no seed was completely safe in March. In many ways, Richmond’s breakthrough win laid the groundwork for the Cinderella stories that would follow in later decades.

Curtis Blair leads the (’91) Richmond Spiders to upset victory over Syracuse | 1st Rnd NCAA Tourney

9. Harvard (14) def. New Mexico (3) – 2013

The Harvard Crimson men’s basketball is better known for academics than basketball, but in 2013 the Ivy League school made tournament history.

Harvard defeated the New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball 68–62 to earn the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory.

Led by head coach Tommy Amaker, the Crimson played one of the most disciplined games of the tournament. Harvard controlled the tempo, defended aggressively, and forced New Mexico into difficult shots throughout the game.

Key performances from Wesley Saunders and Laurent Rivard helped Harvard maintain its composure during New Mexico’s second-half comeback attempt.

What made the upset so remarkable was the stage. Harvard was not traditionally considered a basketball powerhouse, but the Crimson proved that strong coaching, smart basketball, and team chemistry could overcome athletic disadvantages.

The win marked a major milestone for the Ivy League and remains one of the conference’s greatest moments in tournament history.

End of Harvard’s upset of New Mexico

8. Middle Tennessee (15) def. Michigan State (2) – 2016

Entering the 2016 tournament, many analysts believed the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball were legitimate national title contenders.

Head coach Tom Izzo had built a reputation for deep March runs, and Michigan State entered the tournament as one of the most popular picks to reach the Final Four.

Then came Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders men’s basketball.

The Blue Raiders delivered one of the most shocking performances in tournament history, defeating Michigan State 90–81. Middle Tennessee’s offense was unstoppable, shooting over 50 percent from the field and consistently attacking the Spartans’ defense.

The win stunned analysts and bracket experts across the country. Michigan State had been considered one of the strongest No. 2 seeds ever placed in the tournament, which made the defeat even more shocking.

Middle Tennessee’s fearless offensive approach proved that even experienced tournament teams could be vulnerable when facing a confident underdog.

Middle Tennessee State vs. Michigan State: Game highlights

7. Lehigh (15) def. Duke (2) – 2012

Few programs in college basketball history carry the prestige of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball.

That’s why the Lehigh Mountain Hawks men’s basketball victory in 2012 remains one of the most shocking upsets ever.

Lehigh was led by future NBA player C. J. McCollum, who delivered a legendary performance with 30 points.

The Mountain Hawks played with remarkable confidence from the opening tip. They attacked Duke defensively, controlled the tempo, and forced the Blue Devils into mistakes.

Even as Duke attempted a late comeback, Lehigh never lost its composure. McCollum and his teammates executed perfectly down the stretch to secure a 75–70 victory.

The upset was a reminder that star power alone doesn’t guarantee tournament success. On that night, Lehigh simply played better basketball.

The Game That Lehigh Upset Duke (2012 NCAA Tournament)

6. Santa Clara (15) def. Arizona (2) – 1993

Before he became an NBA MVP and Hall of Fame player, Steve Nash was leading the Santa Clara Broncos men’s basketball to one of the most memorable upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

Facing the powerful Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball, Santa Clara trailed by 13 points in the second half. Most observers expected Arizona to cruise to victory.

Instead, Nash and the Broncos mounted an incredible comeback.

Santa Clara’s defense tightened dramatically, and Nash’s leadership helped the team remain poised during critical possessions. The Broncos eventually completed the rally and secured a 64–61 victory.

The win announced Nash as one of the best young point guards in the country and remains one of the defining moments in Santa Clara basketball history.

Santa Clara vs. Arizona: 1993 First Round | FULL GAME

5. Coppin State (15) def. South Carolina (2) – 1997

The Coppin State Eagles men’s basketball produced one of the most stunning results of the 1990s.

South Carolina entered the tournament ranked No. 6 nationally, making the upset even more shocking. Yet Coppin State controlled the game from start to finish.

Led by star forward Antoine Brockington, the Eagles dominated defensively and forced the South Carolina Gamecocks men’s basketball into a series of mistakes.

Coppin State ultimately won 78–65, becoming just the third No. 15 seed ever to win an NCAA Tournament game.

The Eagles’ victory showed that smaller programs from historically underrepresented conferences could compete with elite programs on the biggest stage.

Interview: 1996-97 Coppin State Men’s Basketball Team

4. Florida Gulf Coast (15) def. Georgetown (2) – 2013

The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s basketball didn’t just win in 2013 — they electrified the entire tournament.

Led by coach Andy Enfield, FGCU defeated the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball 78–68 with a style of play that immediately captured the nation’s attention.

The team’s high-flying dunks and fast-break offense earned them the nickname “Dunk City.”

The upset was just the beginning. FGCU continued its magical run by defeating San Diego State in the next round, becoming the first No. 15 seed ever to reach the Sweet 16.

How Dunk City Was Born | FGCU-Georgetown March Madness Rewind

3. Norfolk State (15) def. Missouri (2) – 2012

The Norfolk State Spartans men’s basketball stunned the basketball world when they defeated the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball 86–84.

Led by center Kyle O’Quinn, Norfolk State played fearless basketball from start to finish.

O’Quinn delivered one of the greatest individual performances in tournament history, finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Missouri attempted a late comeback, but the Spartans held their ground and secured one of the most memorable victories in tournament history.

Norfolk State upsets Missouri (2012): Final minute

2. Fairleigh Dickinson (16) def. Purdue (1) – 2023

The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights men’s basketball delivered one of the most improbable upsets in sports history when they defeated the Purdue Boilermakers men’s basketball 63–58.

Purdue featured National Player of the Year candidate Zach Edey, making the upset even more shocking.

Fairleigh Dickinson used relentless defensive pressure to disrupt Purdue’s offense and force turnovers.

Despite being one of the shortest teams in Division I, the Knights played with fearless confidence and never backed down from the heavily favored Boilermakers.

Full final 1:44 from FDU’s legendary upset over Purdue

1. UMBC (16) def. Virginia (1) – 2018

The greatest upset in NCAA Tournament history belongs to the UMBC Retrievers men’s basketball.

Before 2018, No. 16 seeds were 0–135 against No. 1 seeds in the tournament.

Then UMBC faced the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball — the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.

What followed was unforgettable.

UMBC didn’t just win — they dominated, defeating Virginia 74–54 in one of the most shocking results in sports history.

Led by Jairus Lyles, the Retrievers overwhelmed Virginia with aggressive offense and relentless defense.

The victory shattered one of the last remaining barriers in NCAA Tournament history and ensured UMBC’s place in college basketball immortality.

UMBC vs. Virginia: Retrievers become first 16-seed to knock off a No. 1