Has a 16 seed ever won March Madness?

Louisville v Iowa
March Madness delivered again in 2023 with wild upsets.

A No. 16 seed has never won March Madness. In fact, No. 16 seeds have never advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

They have only ever won two tournament games in history, not counting the First Four, where two 16 seeds square off for a spot in the main bracket.

The two No. 16 seed victories are some of the biggest upsets in American sports history. This year, No. 16 seed Fairliegh Dickinson came from a victory in the First Four (84-61 over Texas Southern) and then stunned No. 1 seed Purdue in the first round 63-58.

FDU is the shortest team in Division I and took down Purdue, which was the tallest team in Division I this season due to the presence of 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey. They were plus-23 point underdogs, and their win was the largest straight-up win by a betting underdog in NCAA Tournament history.

The first and only other No. 16 seed to win a game in the main draw was UMBC (Maryland Baltimore County) against No. 1 seed Virginia in 2018. UMBC crushed Virginia in wild fashion, winning 74-54. UMBC were plus-20.5 point underdogs.

Virginia went on to win the national title the following season. No. 16 seeds are 2-150 against No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now