All-Time March Madness Bracket Busters

It happens almost every tournament: a lower-seeded team – sometimes from a mid-major conference – upsets a higher-seeded team everyone had going to the next round. These teams are known as “Bracket Busters”. Their unexpected victory ruins most March Madness brackets, instantly winnowing the number of remaining perfect brackets to a nominal number. Then, if they end up making the tournament’s later stages, they’re dubbed “Cinderella Teams”.

Betting on a bracket buster is risky business but can have a nice upside, particularly if you take them on the moneyline. Of course, you’ll do even better if you select the team to win Final Four. Futures bets for long-shot March Madness underdogs always pay big.

Below, we’ll review some of the biggest March Madness bracket busters of all-time. Use our research and insights to guide your tournament betting this year.

March Madness Betting

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Table of Contents

1. What is a Bracket Buster?
   • Bracket Buster Qualifications
   • Cinderella Team
2. All-time Bracket Busters
   • UMBC #16 – 2018
   • George Mason #11 – 2006
   • FGCU #15 – 2013
   • Davidson #10 – 2008
   • Butler #5 – 2010
   • Loyola Chicago #11 – 2018
   • Saint Peter’s #15 – 2022
   • VCU #11 – 2011
3. March Madness Matchup Odds

What is a Bracket Buster?

A bracket buster is a lower-seeded team that upsets a substantially higher-seeded team. In some cases, the higher-seeded team was expected to win the tournament. In others, the higher-seeded team is from a basketball Power Conference that was unlikely to lose to a team from a lesser conference.

Bracket Buster Qualifications

There are no absolute standards for determining a bracket buster team. Generally speaking, one or more of the following qualifications apply:

• A team seeded #6-#16 defeats a #1-#3 seeded team.
• The bracket busting team is from a mid-major conference and upsets a Power 5 conference opponent.
• An unexpected victory over a #1-#3 seeded opponent, even if the bracket buster had a #4-#6 seed.
• The bracket busting team had historically lost to its higher-seeded opponent.
• The higher-seeded team was considered an overwhelming favorite to win the tournament.

Cinderella Team

A Cinderella team has progressed through multiple tournament rounds despite having a low seed. These teams defy all initial expectations, often defeating much stronger opponents.

Cinderella teams start as bracket busters. For example, imagine a #12 team defeating a #4 team in the second round. The #12 team’s victory would make it a bracket buster. Then suppose the #12 team progresses to the Elite 8. The team’s continued success would make it a Cinderella Team.

Note that in most cases, a bracket busting team loses to its next opponent. Many consider their victory a fluke and their success is short-lived. But if the bracket buster’s forward progress continues, it would then become a Cinderella team.

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All-Time Bracket Busters

Read up on the greatest all-time March Madness bracket busters.

UMBC #16 – 2018

• Game – #16 UMBC defeated #1 Virginia, 74-54, on March 16, 2018 in the 1st Round.
• Coach – Ryan Odom
• Top Players – Jairus Lyles, K.J. Maura, and Joe Sherburne
• Historical Note – First time a #16 defeated a #1 team.

After a strong 2017-18 season, UMBC entered the America East Tournament with a 21-10 record. After going 12-4 in the conference during the regular season, UMBC proceeded to win by double digits against UMass Lowell and Hartford. Then in the America East Tournament Championship Game, UMBC beat Vermont, 65-62, to capture the automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.

The UMBC Retrievers received a #16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In the south regional first-round matchup, UMBC took on the top team in the country, the Virginia Cavaliers, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Virginia was favored by 20.5 points, and before this game, there had never been a #16 seed that won a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament. At halftime, the score was tied at 21 points apiece. Then, UMBC exploded for 53 points in the second half, winning the game by 20 points.

All ESPN and CBS website brackets were busted after the UMBC victory, leaving no perfect brackets remaining. Only 1.4% of ESPN and 2.2% of CBS brackets picked UMBC correctly. It was such an incredible upset, and it will be remembered as the first #16 seed to beat a #1 seed in NCAA history. UMBC will forever be remembered.

George Mason #11 – 2006

• Game – #11 George Mason defeated #1 UConn, 86-84 (OT), on March 26, 2006, in the Elite Eight.
• Coach – Jim Larrañaga
• Top Players – Jai Lewis, Will Thomas, and Lamar Butler
• Historical Note – First time a #11 seed reached the Final Four since 1986.

George Mason was one of the best Cinderallas in March Madness history, as they had a stellar 2005-2006 season. The Patriots finished the regular season 22-6, with a 15-3 record in the CAA. George Mason impressively received an at-large bid in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. They received an #11 seed after losing to Hofstra in the CAA Tournament semifinals.

Then, the Patriots were onto the NCAA Tournament, and they took on a pretty strong Tom Izzo-led #6 Michigan State Spartans quad. George Mason won the first-round matchup by double digits, and the Patriots then took down #3 North Carolina in the second round. Next up was an eight-point win against #7 Wichita State. In the Elite Eight, #1 UConn was the next victim. Unfortunately, the Cinderella run for George Mason ended when they lost, 73-58, to the eventual champion #3 Florida in the Final Four.

Many brackets were busted due to George Mason’s magical run. Speaking of bracket-busting, interestingly enough, the Patriots defeated Wichita State, on February 16, 2006. Both of the teams were bracket busters, as the Shockers made the Sweet Sixteen. That contest between the Patriots and Shockers was one of the ESPN Bracket Busters.

FGCU #15 – 2013

• Game – #15 FGCU defeated #2 Georgetown, 78-68, on March 22, 2013, in the 1st Round.
• Coach – Andy Enfield
• Top Players – Sherwood Brown, Bernard Thompson, and Brett Comer
• Historical Note – First #15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles — nicknamed “Dunk City” — had a tremendous run in 2012-13. Andy Enfield was in just his second season as the team’s head coach, and the Eagles finished the regular season second in the Atlantic Sun. FGCU went on a great run in the Atlantic Sun Tournament, beating North Florida, Stetson, and Mercer.

The NCAA Tournament began with FGCU as a #15 seed, and their first test was the #2 Georgetown Hoyas. It was an impressive victory, as FGCU dunked their way to the 78-68 win. A couple of days later, FGCU beat #7 San Diego State by 10 points as well. Unfortunately, #3 Florida then beat FGCU in the Sweet Sixteen, 62-50.

Dunk City became synonymous with the FGCU men’s basketball team, as there were often alley-oops flying throughout the season. Their upset of #2 Georgetown will always be remembered because FGCU parlayed that with a win over SDSU to become the first #15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Davidson #10 – 2008

• Game – #10 Davidson defeated #2 Georgetown, 74-70, on March 23, 2008, in the 2nd Round.
• Coach – Bob McKillop
• Top Players – Stephen Curry, Jason Richards, and Andrew Lovedale
• Historical Note – Advanced to the Elite Eight.

The only NBA-caliber player on the 2007-08 Davidson Wildcats was Stephen Curry, and he surely made this team into one of the most memorable Cinderellas in college basketball history. Bob McKillop, who was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year in 2008, was responsible for Davidson’s first NCAA Tournament win since 1969.

Consensus Second Team All-American guard Stephen Curry, who eventually became an NBA superstar, was a small – relatively unknown – guard for Davidson before they ran the table in the Southern Conference (SoCon) in 2007-08. The Wildcats went 20-0 in SoCon that season and then had a series of blowouts to win the SoCon Tournament.

In the NCAA Tournament, Davidson entered as a #10 seed. They proceeded to beat #7 Gonzaga, #2 Georgetown, and #3 Wisconsin. It was an unbelievable run, especially because both Georgetown and Wisconsin were among the top 10 teams in the country at the time. Unfortunately, Davidson’s run ended in the Elite Eight with a loss to #1 Kansas, the eventual champion.

Butler #5 – 2010

• Game – #5 Butler defeated #1 Syracuse, 63-59, on March 25, 2010, in the Sweet Sixteen.
• Coach – Brad Stevens
• Top Players – Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, and Matt Howard
• Historical Note – Reached the National Championship Game as a mid-major.

The Brad Stevens-led 2009-10 Butler Bulldogs were another edition of a mid-major team that was undefeated in their conference. After an 18-0 Horizon League campaign that season, Butler made it relatively easy in the Horizon League Tournament Championship Game. The Bulldogs won, 70-45, to defeat Wright State to take the conference tournament title.

Butler had lost in the first round in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, so the Bulldogs were looking to make their mark in 2010. Butler was a #5 seed and began the tournament with wins against #12 UTEP and #13 Murray State. Gordon Hayward led the Bulldogs to wins in the second weekend, and the most impressive victory came in the Sweet Sixteen.

In Salt Lake City – where Hayward would eventually call home with the Utah Jazz – the Bulldogs pulled off the huge upset against #1 Syracuse, 63-59. Not only did Butler beat #1 Syracuse, but the Bulldogs also took down #2 Kansas State in the Elite Eight and #5 Michigan State in the Final Four. Unfortunately, Butler’s championship bid fell one shot short in a 61-59 loss to the Duke Blue Devils.

Loyola Chicago #11 – 2018

• Game – #11 Loyola Chicago defeated #6 Miami, 64-62, on March 15, 2018, in the 1st Round.
• Coach – Porter Moser
• Top Players – Clayton Custer, Marques Townes, and Donte Ingram
• Historical Note – Advanced to the Final Four as an 11-seed.

Sister Jean took the college basketball world by storm, as she was the magic elixir for the Loyola Ramblers. Porter Moser was in his seventh season as the team’s head coach, and they had a strong regular season, sporting a 15-3 record in the Missouri Valley Conference, and they clinched the regular season title.

The MVC Tournament was an interesting one for Loyola Chicago, as the squad had a balanced scoring attack in the first two games, which were close wins over Northern Iowa and Bradley. Then, a blowout of Illinois State – led by Donte Ingram’s 18 points – got the Ramblers their first tournament title since 1985.

Then, the actual magic Cinderella run began when #11 Loyola Chicago took on the #6 Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. First, it was #6 Miami (by the narrow score of 64-62), then #3 Tennessee (63-62), and Nevada (69-68). Then, guard Ben Richardson scored 23 points en route to the 78-62 win over #9 Kansas State. Unfortunately, the run – the Ramblers’ first Final Four since 1963 – ended with a 69-57 loss to #3 Michigan in the Final Four.

Saint Peter’s #15 – 2022

• Game – #15 Saint Peter’s defeated #2 Kentucky, 85-79 (OT), on March 17, 2022, in the 1st Round.
• Coach – Shaheen Holloway
• Top Players – Daryl Banks III, Doug Edert, and KC Ndefo
• Historical Note – First #15 seed to reach the Elite Eight.

The Saint Peter’s Peacocks were an intriguing Cinderella in 2022, and it was mainly due to a tremendous early-round performance. However, their run lasted longer than everyone expected with an Elite Eight appearance that no one saw coming. The Peacocks finished third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2020-21, and they then finished second 2021-22.

Saint Peter’s was a bit lucky in the MAAC Tournament, as they avoided the top seeds and beat Fairfield, Quinnipiac, and Monmouth en route to the conference title and automatic bid. The Peacocks received a #15 seed in the NCAA Tournament as as result.

Then, it was time to see what Saint Peter’s was made of, and the first round contest went down to overtime. Daryl Banks III scored a whopping 27 points, as the Peacocks took down the #2 Kentucky Wildcats, 85-79. Then, the #7 Murray State Racers were next. After the Peacocks won that game by 10 points, they were the new darlings of the tournament. The Cinderella Peacocks then took down #3 Purdue, 67-64, but #8 North Carolina beat the Peacocks to end their run. However, it was still the best run by a #15 seed in NCAA Tournament history.

VCU #11 – 2011

• Game – #11 VCU defeated #1 Kansas, 71-61, on March 27, 2011, in the Elite Eight.
• Coach – Shaka Smart
• Top Players – Jamie Skeen, Joey Rodriguez, and Bradford Burgess
• Historical Note – First team to advance from the First Four to the Final Four.

The Shaka Smart VCU Rams were one of the original modern-day Cinderellas that everyone will remember. Smart led a tremendous run for the Rams, and he will always be respected as a basketball head coach because of how well he coached this team. In 2011, the “First Four” originated, and VCU did some unbelievable work as the first team to advance from the First Four to the Final Four.

It was an improbable achievement, as VCU did not even receive an automatic bid. The Rams were on the bubble after ending their regular season with a 1-4 record in addition to losing in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Championship.

Then, the NCAA Tournament began, and the Rams were off to the races. In the First Four Game, #11 VCU beat #11 USC, 59-46. Then, Brandon Rozzell, Bradford Burgess, and Jamie Skeen went off. Rozzell went for 26 in the 74-56 win over #6 Georgetown. Burgess led the way for VCU in wins over #3 Purdue and #10 Florida State. VCU made the Final Four with a huge upset: a 71-61 win over #1 Kansas, behind 26 points from Skeen. Then in the Final Four, Skeen put up 27 points, but VCU fell, 70-62.

March Madness Matchup Odds

The following are the latest point spread, over-under total lines, and moneylines for upcoming March Madness matchups. Carefully review the lines and odds for any potential bracket busters. These teams may offer substantially higher payouts if you’re willing to take on more risk.

Markets
Point Spread Total Moneyline

Next 32 College Basketball Game Odds
+ Displays more odds

AZ CT DC IA IL IN KS KY LA MI MS NC NY OH PA TN VA WY Game	BetMGM Bet	BetRivers Bet
Creighton Louisville 12:15pm EDT	+3.5 -115-3.5 -105	+3 -112-3 -109
High Point Purdue 12:40pm EDT	+8.5 -118-8.5 -102	+8 -113-8 -108
Norfolk State Florida 1:00pm EDT		+28.5 -113-28.5 -108
New Mexico Marquette 1:00pm EDT		+3.5 -108-3.5 -113
Akron Arizona 1:00pm EDT		+13.5 -105-13.5 -117
Vanderbilt Saint Mary's (CA) 1:00pm EDT		+4.5 -108-4.5 -113
Troy Kentucky 1:00pm EDT		+10.5 -104-10.5 -117
Lipscomb Iowa State 1:00pm EDT		+13.5 -105-13.5 -117
Baylor Mississippi State 1:00pm EDT		-1.5 -115+1.5 -105
Oklahoma UConn 1:00pm EDT		+4.5 -104-4.5 -117
Robert Morris Alabama 1:00pm EDT		+22.5 -115-22.5 -105
Liberty Oregon 1:00pm EDT		+5.5 -109-5.5 -112
Montana Wisconsin 1:30pm EDT	+16.5 -110-16.5 -110	+16.5 -109-16.5 -112
SIU Edwardsville Houston 2:00pm EDT	+28.5 -110-28.5 -110	+28.5 -108-28.5 -113
Alabama State Auburn 2:50pm EDT	+32.5 -110-32.5 -110	+32.5 -113-32.5 -108
McNeese State Clemson 3:15pm EDT	+7.5 -110-7.5 -110	+7.5 -107-7.5 -114
VCU BYU 4:05pm EDT	+2.5 -110-2.5 -110	+2 -107-2 -114
Georgia Gonzaga 4:35pm EDT	+7.5 -118-7.5 -102	+7 -110-7 -110
Wofford Tennessee 6:50pm EDT	+18.5 -115-18.5 -105	+18.5 -110-18.5 -110
Arkansas Kansas 7:10pm EDT	+5.5 -115-5.5 -105	+4.5 -106-4.5 -114
Yale Texas A&M 7:25pm EDT	+7.5 -110-7.5 -110	+7.5 -108-7.5 -113
Drake Missouri 7:35pm EDT	+6.5 -115-6.5 -105	+6 -113-6 -108
Utah State UCLA 9:25pm EDT	+5.5 -115-5.5 -105	+5.5 -109-5.5 -112
Omaha St. John's 9:45pm EDT	+18.5 -105-18.5 -115	+18.5 -108-18.5 -113
Bryant Michigan State 10:00pm EDT	+17.5 -105-17.5 -115	+17.5 -110-17.5 -110
UC San Diego Michigan 10:00pm EDT	+2.5 -115-2.5 -105	+2 -109-2 -112
UNC Wilmington Texas Tech 10:10pm EDT	+15.5 -115-15.5 -105	+15 -108-15 -113
Baylor Mississippi State 3/21/25 12:15pm EDT	+1.5 -115-1.5 -105	+1.5 -109-1.5 -112
Robert Morris Alabama 3/21/25 12:40pm EDT	+22.5 -105-22.5 -115	+22 -110-22 -110
Lipscomb Iowa State 3/21/25 1:30pm EDT	+14.5 -110-14.5 -110	+14.5 -109-14.5 -112
Colorado State Memphis 3/21/25 2:00pm EDT	-1.5 -115+1.5 -105	-1.5 -108+1.5 -113
Mount St. Mary's Duke 3/21/25 2:50pm EDT	+32.5 -115-32.5 -105	+32.5 -114-32.5 -107

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March Madness

• March Madness Betting Bonuses – See our recommendations for the best new and existing customer betting bonuses.
• March Madness Bracket Betting – Learn to bet on the March Madness tournament bracket, plus pick up some invaluable tournament betting strategies.
• March Madness Point Spreads – Review the latest point spreads for upcoming March Madness events.
• March Madness Moneylines – We’ve got the latest March Madness moneylines, plus a handy tutorial explaining how to place this simple bet.
• March Madness Prop Bets – We’ve got the latest March Madness prop bets and handy betting tutorial all in one article.
• March Madness Final Four Appearances – See which teams have made the most Final Four appearances in recent history.
• March Madness Bracket Busters – Have a look back at the best all-time bracket busting teams.
• March Madness Underdogs to Bet On – We’ve preselected a list of moneyline underdogs worth betting on.
• March Madness Over Under Trends – Our classic study looks at over-under total betting trends for the tournament broken down by seed and conference to identify unique betting opportunities.

Final Four

• Odds to Make the Final Four – See current futures odds to make the Final Four.
• Best Final Four Overtime Games – Review the best Final Four overtime games in history, including game results and summaries.

Final Four Team Histories

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