What are the biggest upsets in NCAA history?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

The history of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is legendary for producing shocking upsets that capture the hearts of sports fans nationwide. Among the most iconic moments include UMBC becoming the first-ever 16-seed to defeat a 1-seed by dominating Virginia in 2018, or Princeton stunning defending champion UCLA in 1996 with a masterful backdoor-cut offensive display. Other historic shockers feature FDU defeating Purdue as a 16-seed in 2023, and Villanova pulling off one of the greatest championship game upsets in sports history by conquering heavily favored Georgetown in 1985.

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