March Madness is built on chaos. Every year, a lower-seeded team emerges out of nowhere to flip the entire tournament upside down. These teams aren’t just pulling off a single upset. They’re going on deep, improbable runs against powerhouse basketball programs. That’s where the term “Cinderella” comes from: underdogs crashing the party and refusing to leave.
These Cinderella runs are what make March Madness so entertaining. The tournament’s one-and-done format means just about anything can happen, even the most unlikely of upsets. Whether it’s a mid-major school or a double-digit seed, these streaks capture the unpredictability of March Madness and often become bigger than the championship itself.
While most underdog teams eventually fall, their impact on March Madness remains long after the games have been played. Looking back over the years, a handful of these runs stand out for how far they went and how shocking they were.
With the 2026 tournament already underway, now’s the perfect time to take a look throughout college basketball history. Let’s revisit some of the craziest Cinderella runs March Madness has ever seen.
10. 2013 Wichita State
Representing the Missouri Valley Conference as a 9-seed, Wichita State was not considered a serious contender entering the 2013 tournament. All of that changed after they took down No. 1 Gonzaga in the Round of 32. True to their team name, the Shockers made it all the way to the Final Four before losing a tight game to No. 1 Louisville, the eventual champions.
9. 2008 Davidson
As a mid-major getting little national attention, Davidson became one of the most electric Cinderella teams in March Madness history thanks to a relatively unknown sophomore by the name of Stephen Curry. The sharpshooting guard averaged over 30 points per game as he helped No. 10 Davidson reach the Elite Eight with upset wins over No. 7 Gonzaga, No. 2 Georgetown and No. 3 Wisconsin.
8. 2022 Saint Peter’s
As a 15-seed coming out of the MAAC, Saint Peter’s was virtually unknown to most fans when the tournament began. An overtime win over No. 2 Kentucky in the opening round changed that in a hurry. They kept the momentum going with wins over No. 7 Murray State and No. 3 Purdue. This legendary Cinderella run saw them become the first 15-seed to ever reach the Elite Eight.
7. 2018 Loyola Chicago
One of the most memorable underdogs in recent memory, Loyola Chicago flew under the radar as an 11-seed before going on an incredible run. They delivered several thrilling moments, winning three straight games on last-second shots or near-buzzer moments. By the time they lost to No. 3 Michigan in the Final Four, their 98-year-old team chaplain, Sister Jean, had become a national icon.
6. 1986 LSU
Few Cinderella teams faced a path as tough as No. 11 LSU in 1986. The Tigers won four straight games against higher seeds, including a No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 seed. Their Elite Eight win over Kentucky was the biggest shock of the tournament, marking the first time an 11-seed had ever reached the Final Four. Known for tough defense and strong interior play, LSU redefined what was possible for lower-seeded teams.
5. 2010 Butler
Led by future NBA star Gordon Hayward, No. 5 Butler went on a run for the ages. After upsetting No. 4 Murray State in the Round of 32, they took down No. 1 Syracuse, No. 2 Kansas State and No. 5 Michigan State to reach the championship game. While they lost to Duke in heartbreaking fashion, narrowly missing a game-winning buzzer-beater from half-court, they were one bounce away from completing one of the greatest Cinderella stories ever seen.
4. 2011 VCU
VCU had to survive a play-in game just to make the main bracket and was widely criticized for even being selected. They quickly proved everyone wrong with several stunning upsets, none more shocking than their win over No. 1 Kansas in the Elite Eight. While they lost their next game to Butler, VCU remains one of the only teams ever to go from the First Four to the Final Four.
3. 2006 George Mason
Playing out of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), George Mason delivered one of the first true modern-era Cinderella runs to the Final Four. Relying on team chemistry rather than star power, the 11-seed pulled off several impressive upsets along the way. They capped it off with arguably the greatest Elite Eight game ever played, beating No. 1 UConn in overtime before finally bowing out in the Final Four.
2. 1985 Villanova
Perhaps no champion has ever faced a tougher path than Villanova in 1985, winning the entire tournament as an 8-seed. This team defeated two No. 1 seeds and two No. 2 seeds during their run, including a final win over a heavily favoured Georgetown team led by a young Patrick Ewing. The Wildcats shot 78.6% from the field in that final, which is now referred to as “The Perfect Game.”
1. 1983 NC State
Needing late-season wins just to secure a tournament bid, NC State entered as a 6-seed before delivering one of the most iconic Cinderella runs in sports history. Under the guidance of head coach Jim Valvano, they pulled off a series of improbable upsets to reach the national championship game against No. 1 Houston and the legendary Phi Slama Jama. The title game came down to the final seconds, where NC State stunned Houston with a buzzer-beating dunk to win it all. It was the perfect end to the ultimate Cinderella story. Fancy another Cinderella run this year?
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