Top Five First Round March Madness Upsets in the Past Decade

Alex Berry, Writer

  1. 2015 Georgia State vs Baylor

 

In the first round of the NCAA men’s March Madness Tournament, the 14 seeded Georgia State Panthers took on the three seed Baylor Bears. According to March Madness on YouTube, only 9.21% of people picked Georgia State to win. As time winded down, the Panthers heaved up a last-second shot to seal the win in a 57-56 buzzer beater win. Baylor had 21 turnovers compared to GAST who had only six.13 of those turnovers came from steals. 

 

  1. 2018 Buffalo vs Arizona

 

In the first round, the 13 seed Buffalo Bulls took on the four seed Arizona Wildcats. In a blow out win, Wes Clark of Buffalo had 25 of the team’s 89 points. The final score ended 89-68. According to March Madness on YouTube, only 6.24% of the world’s brackets had Buffalo winning. Buffalo shot 54% from the field and 50% from three. Arizona shot 45% from the field and only 11% from three. 

 

  1. 2022 St. Peters vs Kentucky

 

The 15 seed St. Peters Peacocks took on the two seed Kentucky Wildcats in a 85-79 St. Peters win. Only 3% of brackets had the Peacocks winning. Doug Edert and Daryl Banks lll combined for 47 of the 85 points. St. Peters shot 50% from the field and 52% from three. Kentucky only shot 26% from the three. 

 

  1. 2016 Middle Tennessee vs Michigan State

 

In 2016, the 15 seed Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders took on the two seed Michigan State Spartans. 2.13% of brackets filled out, had Middle Tennessee pulling out the upset. The game ended with a final score of 90-81 in a game where Middle Tennessee shot 57% from the three and Michigan State shooting 45%. Michigan State never had the lead at any point of the game. 

 

  1. 2018 UMBC vs Virginia

 

The 16 seed UMBC Retrievers faced the number one seed Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia came in to the game as a 20-point favorite and 2.18% of brackets choosing UMBC. The game ended with a Retriever win 74-54. UMBC was 54% from the field and 50% from three. UVA shot 41% from the field and only 18% from three. UMBC had 33 rebounds.