The NCAA Tournament annually gives us that one shining moment, when the national champions of college basketball are crowned and get to cut down the nets. But what puts the madness in March Madness are the surprises, the bracket busters, the Cinderella moments.
Here is a look at the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history:
George Mason, out of the Colonial Atheltic Association, became the second double-digit seed in history -- and, more importantly, the first from a "mid-major" conference -- to reach the Final Four, and they did in by knocking off a powerhouse UConn team in overtime. The miracle run was so memorable, it’s become a talking point for analysts to ask “Who will be this year’s George Mason?”
VCU, which came all the way out of the First Four (when the field of 68 teams is whittled to 64), used hotshot coach Shaka Smart's "havoc" defense to open up a stunning 17-point lead in the first half against the top seed. The Rams became the third No. 11 seed to advance to the Final Four.
Eight 15-seeds have beaten a 2-seed in March Madness, but the most impressive was Florida Gulf Coast -- better known as “Dunk City.” They leaped over a helpless Georgetown team, with style, and went on to reach the Sweet 16.
Georgetown, led by future NBA star Patrick Ewing, was the defending national champion and boasted the nation’s top defense. Villanova needed a miracle to defeat the Hoyas and conjured just that, shooting 79 percent and missing only one shot from the field in the second half.