Fansided

20 most shocking NCAA Tournament upsets that put the ‘madness’ in March

By Mike Phillips

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: K.J. Maura #11 and Jairus Lyles #10 of the UMBC Retrievers talk 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 *** K.J. Macura;Jairus Lyles
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: K.J. Maura #11 and Jairus Lyles #10 of the UMBC Retrievers talk 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 *** K.J. Macura;Jairus Lyles /
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4. No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast over No. 2 Georgetown – 2013

  • Florida Gulf Coast wins 78-68

The last 15-over-2 upset on the list is the most memorable to date. We have finally reached Florida Gulf Coast, otherwise known as Dunk City, and their memorable run in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

The opposition here was Georgetown, which was the regular-season champion in the last edition of the old Big East before Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Louisville left the conference. The Hoyas were led by future NBA lottery pick Otto Porter and had the pedigree of tournament regular status under head coach John Thompson III.

Florida Gulf Coast had no such experience, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2013. Head coach Andy Enfield built an Atlantic Sun champion on the strength of incredible athletes, leading the program to adopt the moniker of Dunk City.

The nation first learned about Dunk City in the first round, when the Eagles used their explosive athleticism to leap past Georgetown into the second round. Highlight reel dunks were the order of the day, including a memorable alley-oop to Chase Fieler that brought the house down in Philadelphia.

The reason Florida Gulf Coast is ahead of Richmond is that they parlayed their first-round win into another victory over San Diego State, making the Eagles the first (and to date only) 15-seed to reach the Sweet 16. That memorable performance ensured that Dunk City earned a place inside the top five.

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