"In 2023, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson beat No. 1 seed Purdue 63-58. The Boilermakers were 29-5 entering the game with star center Zach Edey leading the way. Purdue was just 5-26 from three in the game and had 16 turnovers in the loss. Sean Moore led Fairleigh Dickinson with 19 points."
"That all changed when UMBC beat Virginia 74-54 on March 16, 2018. Virginia was 31-2 entering the game and the top overall seed in the whole tourney. UMBC shot 50% from three, and the Retrievers were in control the whole game. Virginia was just 4-22 from three."
"A No. 16 seed has beaten a No. 1 seed just 2 times in NCAA Tournament history. No. 1 seeds have a 158-2 record in the matchup heading into the 2026 tournament."
The NCAA Tournament's 1 vs 16 seed matchup represents one of college basketball's most lopsided competitions. No. 1 seeds have dominated this pairing with a 158-2 record heading into the 2026 tournament. Only two upsets have occurred: UMBC defeated Virginia 74-54 in 2018, and Fairleigh Dickinson beat Purdue 63-58 in 2023. Virginia entered as the top overall seed at 31-2, while Purdue was 29-5 with star center Zach Edey. These rare upsets highlight the exceptional circumstances required for a 16 seed to overcome a 1 seed in tournament play.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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