Seeding Arrangements

UNLV, 1990

Won three of its tournament games by 30 points — including its Elite Eight game and the final against Duke. The title game margin is still a record.

Also considered: Michigan State, 2000;
Duke, 2001; Kentucky, 1996

DUKE, 1991

Beat previously undefeated defending national champion UNLV, 79-77, in the Final Four before beating Kansas, 72-65, in the championship game.

Also considered: Connecticut, 2004;
Kentucky, 1998; Louisville, 1986

SYRACUSE, 2003

Carmelo Anthony-led Orangemen defeated two No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 seed on their way to the title, the first in school history.

Also considered:Florida, 2006; Michigan, 1989; Utah, 1998

ARIZONA, 1997

Coach Lute Olson’s Wildcats became the only No. 4 seed to win a national title, beating defending champion Kentucky, 84-79, in overtime.

Also considered:Syracuse, 1996;
Oklahoma State, 1995; Georgia Tech, 1990

FLORIDA, 2000

Squeezed by Butler in the first round, but handily defeated No. 4 Illinois, No. 1 Duke and No. 3 Oklahoma State on its way to the title game.

Also considered: Indiana, 2002;
Mississippi State, 1996, Michigan State 2005

KANSAS, 1988

Danny Manning led Kansas over No.1 seed Oklahoma, 83-79, in the final, and the Jayhawks became the only No. 6 seed to win a national title.

Also considered:Providence, 1987;
Southern Cal, 2001; Minnesota, 1990

XAVIER, 2004

Defeated No. 2 seed Mississippi State by 15 points and beat No. 3 seed Texas before losing to No. 1 seed Duke by three points in the round of eight.

Also considered: Michigan State, 2003;
West Virginia, 2005; Navy, 1986

VILLANOVA, 1985

Unranked Wildcats upset Patrick Ewing and top-seeded, top-ranked Georgetown. Villanova is the lowest-seeded team to win a national title.

Also considered:North Carolina, 2000;
Wisconsin, 2000; Auburn, 1986

BOSTON COLLEGE, 1994

The only ninth-seeded team to get to the round of eight, beating defending champion North Carolina, 75-72, in the second round.

Also considered: Texas-El Paso, 1992;
Alabama-Birmingham, 2004

LSU, 1987

One year after a Final Four run as a No. 11 seed, the Tigers make it back to the Elite Eight, losing to eventual champion Indiana by one point.

Also considered: Davidson, 2008;
Nevada, 2004; Kent State, 2002

GEORGE MASON, 2006

Only the second mid-major to reach a Final Four, the Patriots beat defending champion North Carolina and No. 1 seed U-Conn. before falling to eventual champion Florida.

Also considered: LSU,1986;
Loyola Marymount 1990; Temple, 2001

BALL STATE, 1990

The only team that even came close to derailing the UNLV juggernaut, falling to the Runnin’ Rebels, 69-67, in the round of 16.

Also considered:Missouri, 2002;
Southwest Missouri State, 1999; Wyoming, 1987

OKLAHOMA, 1999

Beat No. 5 seed Charlotte by 13 points before falling in the round of 16 to top-seeded Michigan State, which made the Final Four.

Also considered: Bradley, 2006; Richmond, 1988; Valparaiso, 1998

CLEVELAND STATE, 1986

Reached the round of 16 after beating No. 3 seed Indiana — which won the national title the next season — in the first round.

Also considered:Chattanooga, 1997;
Murray State, 1988; Old Dominion, 1995

COPPIN STATE, 1997

A 30-point underdog, the Eagles defeated Southeastern Conference champion South Carolina, 78-65, in the first round.

Also considered:Richmond, 1991;
Hampton, 2001; Santa Clara, 1993

(TIE) PRINCETON AND
EAST TENNESSEE STATE, 1989

On two straight days, two No. 16 seeds each came within one point of toppling a No. 1 seed. On Thursday, March 16, East Tennessee State fell to Oklahoma, 72-71. On Friday, March 17, freshman center Alonzo Mourning blocked two shots in the final seconds to preserve Georgetown’s 50-49 win over Princeton.

Also considered: Murray State, 1990;
Western Carolina, 1996