5 biggest upsets in American sports history

24 September 2016: An Appalachian State Mountaineers helmet on the sideline prior to the NCAA Football game between the Appalachian State Mountaineers and Akron Zips at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, OH. Appalachian State defeated Akron 45-38. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Jairus Lyles #10 of the UMBC Retrievers dribbles up court during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Retrievers won 74-54. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jairus Lyles /

3. No. 16 UMBC topples No. 1 Virginia

In 1985, the NCAA expanded their men’s basketball tournament from 53 teams to 64. From that expansion until March 16, 2018 No. 1 seeds were 135-0 versus No. 16 seeds in the opening round.

Virginia entered the tournament 31-3 on the season, and having won the ACC by a wide margin. They were not only the best team in their region, but the best team in the country.

In a one-game elimination scenario, even the best team in the country can’t afford to have an off night. Not only did Virginia have an off night, they ran into a team that was hungry to make history — a recipe for disaster.

The game was tied at halftime, but that was the last time Virginia would be close, as UMBC went on a 17-3 run to open the second half and never looked back, ultimately winning the game by 20. Given the stakes this was an even bigger upset than the Chaminade win in the Maui Invitational over (you guessed it) Virginia, a team lead by Ralph Sampson.

As well as the fact they made history as the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed, UMBC’s upset was so impressive because of how comfortable it was. The game itself may not have been as dramatic as some others on this list, but that only adds to the size of the shock.