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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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3. No. 11 George Mason over No. 1 UConn – 2006

  • George Mason wins 86-84

This is only the second entry on the list to take place in the Elite Eight and it bears some similarities to the Kansas-VCU upset. This one involves the most famous 11-seed ever to reach the Final Four, the George Mason Patriots.

Members of the Colonial Athletic Association, the Patriots were a controversial selection for an at-large bid in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Media members were critical of the choice of George Mason over fellow CAA member Hofstra, who had beaten the Patriots twice during the regular season.

George Mason used the doubters as fuel, knocking off Michigan State in the first round before upsetting North Carolina and Wichita State to earn a trip to the Elite Eight. Awaiting the Patriots there was the team many assumed would win the national championship, the UConn Huskies.

The Huskies featured an absolutely stacked roster, including a starting lineup filled with future pros like Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, and Hilton Armstrong. None of that mattered against George Mason, which went toe-to-toe with UConn for the full 40 minutes and triumphed in overtime.

That win earned the Patriots a place in the Final Four, an absolutely stunning turn of events for a team that barely made the field. In terms of mid-major guardian angels, George Mason is another example hopeful Cinderellas point to as proof anything is possible in March Madness.

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