We’re in the middle of the 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament, which means basketball fans everywhere are loving it. With the first two rounds done, we’re headed toward the Sweet 16, the most exciting part of the tournament.
Some big-name teams are still alive, like Florida and Duke. But we’ve also got a surprise team still playing: No. 10 Arkansas. They’re trying to pull off another upset against No. 3 Texas Tech. As we wait, let’s look back at the 10 biggest NCAA Tournament upsets of all time.
10. Middle Tennessee Shocks Michigan State in 2016
In 2016, No. 15 Middle Tennessee stunned No. 2 Michigan State 90-81. Michigan State was a popular Final Four pick that year. But Middle Tennessee had other plans. All five of their starters scored at least 10 points. Reggie Upshaw led them with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Giddy Potts added 19 points. Middle Tennessee lost their next game to No. 10 Syracuse.
9. Princeton Takes Down Arizona in 2023
In the 2023 tournament, No. 15 Princeton upset No. 2 Arizona, 59-55. It was one of several huge upsets that year. Princeton’s defense shut down Arizona for almost five minutes at the end of the game. Tosan Evbuomwan scored 15 points and added seven rebounds. Princeton eventually reached the Sweet 16 but lost to No. 6 Creighton.
8. Norfolk State Defeats Missouri in 2012
Norfolk State, a No. 15 seed, shocked No. 2 Missouri in 2012, winning 86-84. Missouri had been one of the top teams all year. Kyle O’Quinn was the hero, scoring 26 points with 14 rebounds and two blocks. Pendarvis Williams and Chris McEachin each had 20 points. Norfolk State lost to No. 7 Florida in the next round.
7. Saint Peter’s Stuns Kentucky in 2022
No. 15 Saint Peter’s beat college basketball giant No. 2 Kentucky in 2022, 85-79. Almost nobody predicted this result. Saint Peter’s Daryl Banks III scored 27 points, and Doug Edert added 20. The Peacocks made an incredible run all the way to the Elite Eight but lost to No. 8 North Carolina.
6. Lehigh Knocks Out Duke in 2012
Also in 2012, No. 15 Lehigh shocked No. 2 Duke, 75-70. This was the game that made CJ McCollum famous. He scored 30 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished six assists. McCollum later went on to be the 10th pick in the NBA Draft by Portland. Duke fans still remember this tough loss.
5. Hampton Upsets Iowa State in 2001
In 2001, No. 15 Hampton beat No. 2 Iowa State by one point, 58-57. Iowa State was heavily favored, but Hampton didn’t care. Travis Williams led the Pirates with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks. Marseilles Brown chipped in 14 points. Hampton lost their next game to No. 10 Georgetown.
4. Florida Gulf Coast Beats Georgetown in 2013
In 2013, No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast (FGCU) took down No. 2 Georgetown, 78-68. FGCU quickly became the fan favorite for their exciting style of play. Sherwood Brown scored 24 points with nine rebounds, and Bernard Thompson had 23 points and seven rebounds. Brett Comer also helped with 12 points and 10 assists. FGCU eventually lost to No. 3 Florida in the Sweet 16.
3. Oral Roberts Beats Ohio State in 2021
No. 15 Oral Roberts shocked everyone by beating No. 2 Ohio State, 75-72, in overtime in 2021. Ohio State had been picked by many to make a deep tournament run. Oral Roberts got huge games from Kevin Obanor, who scored 30 points with 11 rebounds, and Max Abmas, who had 29 points. Oral Roberts made it to the Sweet 16 but lost to No. 3 Arkansas.
2. Fairleigh Dickinson Stuns No. 1 Purdue in 2023
In 2023, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU) did the nearly impossible by beating No. 1 Purdue, 63-58. It was only the second time ever that a No. 16 seed beat a No. 1 seed. Sean Moore led FDU with 19 points, while Demetre Roberts added 12. Purdue fans were stunned. FDU lost their next game to Florida Atlantic.
1. UMBC Makes History vs. Virginia in 2018
The greatest March Madness upset ever happened in 2018 when No. 16 UMBC beat No. 1 Virginia, 74-54. No one saw it coming. It wasn’t just a win—it was a blowout. Jarius Lyles had a big night with 28 points. This game made history because it was the first time a No. 16 team ever beat a No. 1 seed.
