5 biggest upsets in March Madness 2023 before Sweet 16

Florida Atlantic v Memphis
March Madness 2023 has had many upsets (Image via Getty Images)

March Madness 2023 has been a lot of fun to watch so far. There have been many upsets, and a lot of teams that were favorites to win the tournament have been eliminated already.

Several smaller schools, such as Fairleigh Dickinson, have pulled big upsets, making the tournament more exciting.

We are just a few days away from the Sweet 16, so let's take a look at the five biggest upsets in March Madness 2023 so far.


March Madness 2023 has had many upsets, these are the biggest ones

#1, No. 13 Furman vs. No. 4 Virginia

No. 4 Virginia lost its opening game of the tournament to No. 13 Furman 68-67. The Cavaliers had a two-point lead and possession with 12.3 seconds left in the game. However, they turned the ball over and Furman hit a 3-pointer to seal the game.

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This was a historic victory for the Paladins, who advanced to the tournament for the first time in 43 years. Many wrote them off before the game even started, but they showed a lot of hustle and tenacity to upset the fourth-seeded team.


#2, No. 15 Princeton vs. No. 2 Arizona

The second-seeded Arizona Wildcats were one of the favorites to have a deep run in the tournament. However, they lost to No. 15 Princeton in the first round 59-55.

The Tigers shocked the basketball world by beating Arizona. (Image via Getty Images)
The Tigers shocked the basketball world by beating Arizona. (Image via Getty Images)

This was Princeton's first NCAA Tournament win in 25 years. Thanks to their late run in the game, the Tigers were able to gain a lead and knock the Wildcats out of the tournament.


#3, No. 16 FDU vs. No 1. Purdue

No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson University pulled off a historic victory over the top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers. When the final buzzer sounded, FDU was up by five points 63-58.

Purdue lost to FDU in the opening round of the tournament (Image via Getty Images)
Purdue lost to FDU in the opening round of the tournament (Image via Getty Images)

This is the second time in tournament history that a No. 16 seed defeated a No. 1 seed. What makes this upset even better is the fact that the FDU Knights had to go through the First Four phase to advance to the first round.


#4, No. 15 Princeton vs. No. 7 Missouri

Princeton's victory over Arizona wasn't the only impressive result the university had in March Madness 2023. The Tigers faced No. 7 Missouri in the second round of the tournament, but ended up getting another win 78-63.

The Tigers advanced to the Sweet 16. (Image via Getty Images)
The Tigers advanced to the Sweet 16. (Image via Getty Images)

The Tigers advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since it began in 1975.


#5, No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Marquette

The Michigan State Spartans advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. They defeated No. 2 Marquette in the second round 69-60.

Spartans had a convincing second-round victory (Image via Getty Images)
Spartans had a convincing second-round victory (Image via Getty Images)

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The Spartans played consistently well, beating the Golden Eagles, who had a convincing 17-point victory over No. 15 Vermont in the first round.

Michigan State will face No. 3 Kansas State in the Sweet 16.

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