The 11 best wins of March Madness thus far, ranked and categorized

The vast majority of games in the first weekend of March Madness were must-see TV. Let’s categorize why the 11 best were so great.

The first weekend of the 2018 NCAA Tournament was the best in recent memory, according to a rough gauge of feelings on the internet and messages on my phone. The number of upsets and buzzer-beaters (or last-second game-winners that technically were not buzzer-beaters) sure felt unprecedented. With the exception of a few quotidian blowouts (‘sup Nova, g’day Duke), nearly every game gave you an is-this-really-happening reason to tune in. So we’re breaking down the top 10 best wins and telling you why each game was so special: was it that the team won or how?

For example, UMBC over Virginia is a “that” win. That they won is the most amazing part of their win because they were a No. 16 seed and Virginia was the No. 1 overall seed. Michigan over Houston is an example of a “how” win because they were a) a better seed and b) a trendy pick for a deep run but c) won on an absolutely insane half-court-pass buzzer-beater sequence that they apparently run all the time. So here we go. Best wins, categorized as a that or how, and ranked in the order I remember them.

1. UMBC over Virginia: That, but also How

Say it again: For the first time in men’s college basketball history, a No. 16 upset a No. 1 seed. That they won but be enough, but when the UMBC Retrievers bounded into the hearts of America, they were not messing around. This wasn’t some buzzer-beater miracle, this wasn’t won on free throws or friendly refs. No, how they won is also worth mentioning: UMBC blew Virginia out, 74-54. It was the most amazing, riveting blow out, too, because, despite the score, there was something in the back of your mind telling you Virginia would come back and that, that you would have to see. But UMBC could not miss, and as the clock ran out, a brave new world of Retriever fans was made real.

2. No. 7 Nevada over No. 2 Cincinnati: How, but also That

Speaking of blowouts, No. 2 Cincinnati got out to a real hot start against No. 7 Nevada, taking a 22-point lead, which for most college and even some NBA teams would be insurmountable. Not Nevada. Led by a 25 point, 7 assist, 6 rebound and one technical foul game from Cody Martin, Nevada casually went on a 25-6 run to tie the game with 54.1 seconds left. Then, Josh Hall converted an offensive rebound into a game-winner. This is very much the kind of “how” that demands recognition.

That said, that Nevada won is also significant, on account of the fact they were a toss-up to beat Texas in the first round and Cincinnati was supposed to breeze to the Final Four after the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds in their region (Virginia and Tennessee) lost their games.

3. Michigan over Houston: How

A FanSided employee whose privacy I will respect said he didn’t get why this was big deal on account of the fact Michigan was the better-seeded team. Which is true. Good point.

Additional relevant information: Michigan had gone 7 for 30 from the 3-point line up until that point. Jordan Poole, the freshman who hit the game-winner was 4 for 8 from anywhere. Houston missed free throws, the refs called fouls like they’re were working on commission, etc. etc. etc. just watch the clip again.

4. Loyola over Miami: How

Technically, No. 11 Loyola beating No. 6 Miami meets the upset requirement of a five-seed differential. Still, going into the game, Miami was only a -2.5 favorite and Loyola was a Cinderella favorite to make the Sweet 16. So, that Loyola pulled off the upset is not that surprising.

However, how they won was. Donte Ingram gave us the first basically buzzer-beater of the tournament, with a deep 3 on a play that had all the lesser-humans at home shouting for a timeout.

5. Marshall over Wichita State: How, but also That

Indeed, another upset, which is relevant as it built the first weekend’s case for being the maddest of all time. (Somewhat more significant: It was a rare upset in the East Region.) So, to some extent, it was that No. 13 Marshall won over No. 4 Wichita State that made it a great win.

Moreover, though, Marshall’s victory was notable (ESPN called it “monumental,” but this was pre-UMBC) because of one particular very questionable call. The final score — 81-75 — betrays just how close this game was, until a ball that (upon review) very clearly went out on Marshall was called as out on Wichita State. Marshall inbounded, scored and Wichita State saw their chance at a comeback slip away.

6. Loyola over Tennessee: How and That, in equal parts

How they won because Loyola held off an 11-3 Tennessee run and overcame a tie-game with 20.1 seconds left. How because for the second time, Loyola won with a last-second game-winner.

That they won because, again, despite being a buzz-worthy Sweet 16 Cinderella pick, Loyola was still a No. 11 seed beating a No. 3 seed that was expected to contend with Cincinnati.

7. Florida State over Xavier: That, but also How

The headline here is that Xavier, a No. 1 seed, maintained something close to a 12-point lead until 5:36 when Florida State mounted a comeback (better late than never!) and won the game. That another seed top team fell in the first weekend was crazy, if only because we all thought we’d reached the limits of top seeds blowing leads and not showing up. Xavier was supposed to be benefiting from UNC’s early departure. Xavier was not supposed to more or less

8. Texas A&M over UNC: That and also How

It’s wild that we’ve reached about where a No. 2 seed losing in the second round is like, not a particularly surprising revelation if they didn’t lose in some spectacular fashion — like blowing a 22-point lead. Still, that Texas A&M won is a major, bracket-busting development. How North Carolina was never in it, how Texas A&M won by relentless dominating North Carolina tip-off to final buzzer is also wild. Just not as wild as everything else happening in this tournament.

9. Rhode Island over Oklahoma: How

Oh, dear sweet No. 10 seed Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s entire presence in the tournament was the subject of some light conspiracy theories (the NCAA wanted that human torch Trae Young on TV, for the eyeballs, for the money), but who cares because Oklahoma vs. Rhode Island was an exceptionally fun opening game and — who knew at the time — a rather perfect preview of what would unfold. It had everything: Crazy shooting, an elite bench, overtime that came down to the last minute, dagger 3s, and the hope that such a squad could beat Duke in the second round.

That Rhode Island won was almost inconsequential, but how they won reminded everyone why this is the best weekend of the year.

10. Syracuse over Michigan State: That

Michigan State was a favorite. Syracuse was a play-in team. That Syracuse pulled off the upset is commendable, but let’s not reward Jim Boeheim’s zone and foul-favored defense down the stretch any more than we have to.

11. Buffalo over Arizona: That

That No. 13 seed Buffalo beat No. 4 seed and Final Four contender Arizona was a bigger deal when it happened on Thursday, but admittedly, that’s still a pretty big deal.

Next: The top 25 March Madness heroes of all time

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