15-Seeds

15-Seeds

After going 10 years without a single win, seven 15’s have advanced to the Second Round in the last 13 tournaments.  2024’s tournament broke a 3-year streak that saw a 15-seed reaching the Sweet 16.

15-seeds’ overall record in the First Round is 11-149 (0.069).  Doesn’t sound like much to be concerned about, right?  In the last 13 tournaments, 15-seeds are 7-45 (0.135).

Overall Performance

• 11 (of 160) advanced to the Second Round
• 4 went on to the Sweet 16
• 1 reached the Elite 8

Performance Over the Last 10 Years

• 4 (of 40) advanced to the Second Round
• 3 reached the Sweet 16
• 1 reached the Elite 8

Feats of Strength

• In 2022, Saint Peter’s made history as the first 15-seed to reach the Elite 8, and they didn’t luck into an easy path. They eliminated 2-Kentucky (85-70 in OT), 7-Murray State (70-60), and 3-Purdue (67-64), before losing to 8-North Carolina (49-69) in the regional final.
• In 2013, Florida Gulf Coast became the first 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16. It was a lot of fun to watch! After beating 2-seed Georgetown (78-68), FGCU beat 7-seed San Diego State (81-71) two days later. The hot streak ended with a 50-62 loss to 3-seed Florida.
• 2021 Oral Roberts advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating 2-Ohio State (75-72) and 7-Florida (81-78). They lost to 3-Arkansas 70-72.
• 2023 Princeton advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating 2-Arizona (59-55) and 7-Missouri (78-63). They lost to 6-Creighton 75-86.
• The Other Bracketbusters
  • 2016: Middle Tennessee over Michigan State 90-81
  • 2012: Lehigh over Duke 75-70 & Norfolk State over Missouri 86-84
  • 2001: Hampton over Iowa State 58-57
  • 1997: Coppin State over South Carolina 78-65 (lost by 1 point to Texas in the next round)
  • 1993: Santa Clara over Arizona 64-61
  • 1991: Richmond over Syracuse 73-69

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.