In all the magic of the NCAA Tournament, let’s consider the glorious tall-bodied tales that have challenged the imagination which later became animated and then … well, they don’t resemble the titles or stories of fairy tales at all.
However, we keep calling them Cinderella stories.
Fine.
Sure.
Because you have to admit it, these teams are charming—unless they crush your bracket and bank account and alma mater’s spirit, all at once. And if that’s the case, well then, I understand.
And some of these splendid squads didn’t even reach the Sweet 16. A one-and-done run was fun enough for most of us to remember these teams and their shining moments.
Loyola University Chicago (2018)
Who can forget Sister Jean, the team’s chaplain who many believe inspired the 11th-seeded Ramblers to reach the Final Four?
Loyola Chicago knocked off Miami, Tennessee, Nevada and Kansas State before losing to Michigan in the Final Four.
Florida Gulf Coast (2013)
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles were a No. 15 seed in 2013 and reached the Sweet 16, the first 15 seed to ever make it there. The Eagles, referred to as “Dunk City” or “Florida Dunk Coast,” upset Georgetown in the first round and took down San Diego State in the second. FGCU head coach Andy Enfield catapulted that coaching job into the head gig at the University of Southern California.
VCU (2011)
The Rams’ coach Shaka Smart became a household name among college basketball fans by leading the 11th-seeded Rams, who received an at-large bid, to the Final Four. VCU beat USC in the First Four round, then bested Georgetown and Purdue in the second and third rounds, respectively. They then battled past Florida State to reach the Elite Eight and then stunned Kansas to reach the Final Four, where they lost to Butler. Speaking of the Butler Bulldogs …
Butler (2010)
The fifth-seeded Bulldogs, led by the scrappy Gordon Hayward, became just the second mid-major team to reach the Final Four. And then they damn near won it. After knocking off Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State, they faced Duke in the title game. They lost, but only because Hayward’s desperation shot at the buzzer missed by that much.
Davidson (2008)
Hello, Steph Curry. The kid can score as everyone discovered.
The Wildcats were a No. 10 seed but most experts knew they were dangerous, because of Curry. They made it to the Elite Eight thanks to Curry’s sensational shooting. They upset Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin before falling to eventual national champion Kansas by two.
George Mason (2006)
Loyola Marymount (1990)
Hank Gathers.
Bo Kimble.
Who can forget that Lions team that overcame Gathers’s shocking, tragic death on the court in a WCC tournament game?
Kimble led No. 11 seeded LMU to the Elite Eight after beating New Mexico State, Michigan and Alabama, before being bounced by UNLV.
Kimble’s first left-handed free throw to honor Gathers remains an iconic moment in NCAA basketball history. Watch here.
LSU (1986)
The Tigers are still the only No. 11 seed to beat a No. 3 seed (Memphis State), a No. 2 (Georgia Tech), and a No. 1 seed (Kentucky), in the same tournament, becoming the first No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four.
LSU lost in the semifinals to eventual NCAA champion Louisville.
Villanova (1985)
The Wildcats won the title as a No. 8 seed, which remains the lowest of any national champion. The Wildcats entered the NCAA tournament with a 19-10 record and didn’t win any of their first three March Madness games by more than five points. But the late great Rollie Massimino guided the ‘Cats to the title.
North Carolina State (1983)
The Wolfpack, led by the one and only Jim Valvano, was a No. 6 seed who beat Virginia (with Ralph Sampson) and mighty Houston (with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler). This game was historic because of the finish and it’s worth watching over and over. Truly, this was what made March Madness insanely great.
