Every March, college basketball fans obsess over brackets, trying to predict every possible outcome in the quest to build the first perfect one. And almost every year, one team nobody saw coming blows that plan up. They wreck everyone’s picks, capture the country’s attention, and author a run that perfectly captures the magic of March Madness.
These “Cinderella” runs are equal parts unpredictable and unforgettable. With February quickly winding down, now is as good a time as any to look back at the ten best Cinderella runs in March Madness history before this year’s tournament tips off.
#10) Florida Atlantic (2023)
Seed: 9
The run: No. 8 Memphis, No. 16 FDU, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 3 Kansas State
Starting with one of the more improbable Final Four runs in recent memory, Florida Atlantic’s 2023 squad just makes the list. FAU dominated Conference USA, finishing 35-4, but still landed as a No. 9 seed in the tournament.
Their path opened up when No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson upset No. 1 Purdue, allowing FAU to avoid a matchup with Zach Edey and the Boilermakers. The Owls took full advantage, riding that opportunity all the way to the Final Four.
FAU’s run ultimately ended against San Diego State in heartbreaking fashion, as the Aztecs hit a game-winning buzzer beater to escape with a 72–71 win.
#9) Princeton (2023)
Seed: 15
The run: No. 2 Arizona, No. 7 Missouri
Staying in 2023, the Princeton Tigers authored one of the most memorable Cinderella runs of the modern era. After winning the Ivy League with a 23–9 record, Princeton entered the tournament as a No. 15 seed and became just the fourth team at that seed line to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
The run started with a massive upset of No. 2 Arizona, followed by a convincing 15-point win over No. 7 Missouri. Princeton’s run ultimately ended against No. 6 Creighton, falling 86–75, but the Tigers had already secured their place in tournament history.
Notably, this team also became just the third Ivy League program ever to reach the Sweet Sixteen, joining 1979 Penn and 2010 Cornell.
#8) Oral Roberts (2021)
Seed: 15
The run: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 7 Florida
We’re up with another 15-seed run, this time featuring Oral Roberts from 2021. Entering the tournament at 18-11, the Golden Eagles were not expected to do much. Instead, they delivered one of the best upsets of the year by taking down No. 2 Ohio State, then followed it up by edging No. 7 Florida to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
The run ended with a narrow 72–70 loss to Arkansas, but Oral Roberts had already made its mark. It was another reminder that in March, no seed line is ever safe.
#7) Davidson (2008)
Seed: 10
The run: No. 7 Gonzaga, No. 2 Georgetown, No. 3 Wisconsin
Perhaps the most iconic Cinderella run of the modern era came from Davidson in 2008, led by a young Stephen Curry. The Wildcats entered the tournament at 29-7 and had gone undefeated in conference play, but still flew under the radar nationally.
Davidson stormed all the way to the Elite Eight before falling to No. 1 Kansas, the eventual national champion. Even in defeat, Curry’s run became one of the defining individual performances in tournament history, and it is fair to wonder how far Davidson might have gone had they broken through to the Final Four.
#6) Florida Gulf Coast (2013)
Seed: 15
The run: No. 2 Georgetown, No. 7 San Diego State
Up next is Florida Gulf Coast’s unforgettable 2013 run, when the Eagles became the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Known as “Dunk City,” FGCU burst onto the national scene by beating No. 2 Georgetown by 10, then following it up with another double-digit win over No. 7 San Diego State.
Their run eventually ended against Florida, but not before delivering one of the most entertaining and memorable stretches of the tournament.
#5) Saint Peter’s (2022)
Seed: 15
The run: No. 2 Kentucky, No. 7 Murray State, No. 3 Purdue
Saint Peter’s delivered one of the most shocking runs in tournament history in 2022, becoming the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight. The Peacocks entered the tournament at 22–12 and were heavy underdogs against Kentucky, but quickly flipped that script.
They followed the upset of the Wildcats with wins over Murray State and Purdue to keep the run alive before finally falling to North Carolina. It remains the deepest run ever by a 15-seed and one of the most improbable stretches the tournament has seen.
#4) Wichita State (2013)
Seed: 9
The run: No. 8 Pitt, No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 13 La Salle, No. 2 Ohio State
Wichita State’s 2013 run often gets overlooked in Cinderella discussions, but it absolutely belongs on this list. The Shockers became just the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four, a club that Florida Atlantic joined ten years later in 2023.
The Shockers entered the Big Dance at 30-9 out of the Missouri Valley Conference and rode that momentum all the way to the national semifinals before falling to eventual champion Louisville.
#3) VCU (2011)
Seed: 11
The run: First Four vs USC, No. 6 Georgetown, No. 3 Purdue, No. 10 Florida State, No. 1 Kansas
Another Final Four run comes from VCU in 2011. As an 11-seed that had to win a First Four game against USC just to make the field, the Rams faced one of the toughest paths in tournament history.
They answered every challenge, knocking off multiple higher seeds on the way to the Final Four before falling to Butler. It remains one of the most improbable and impressive runs the tournament has ever seen.
#2) George Mason (2006)
Seed: 11
The run: No. 6 Michigan State, No. 3 North Carolina, No. 7 Wichita State, No. 1 UConn
George Mason’s 2006 run is legendary. Making the Final Four as an 11-seed is impressive on its own, but the path makes it even more remarkable. The Patriots took down teams led by Tom Izzo, Roy Williams, and Jim Calhoun along the way.
The run eventually ended against Billy Donovan’s national champion Florida squad, but George Mason’s place in tournament history was already secure.
#1) Loyola Chicago (2018)
Seed: 11
The run: No. 6 Miami, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 7 Nevada, No. 9 Kansas State
Loyola Chicago’s 2018 run was one of the most memorable Cinderella stories of the modern era. The Ramblers went 32–6 and captured the nation’s attention, with Sister Jean becoming the face of the team’s surge through March.
Their path was filled with drama, winning their first three tournament games by a combined four points and delivering multiple last-second moments along the way. The run ultimately ended in the Final Four against Michigan, but Loyola Chicago’s 2018 team remains one of the most unforgettable underdog runs the tournament has ever produced.
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
