The NCAA basketball tournament, more commonly known as March Madness, is famous for its unpredictable nature. The term ‘Cinderella’ refers to a team that is seen as an underdog and greatly exceeds its tournament expectations. These Cinderella teams come out of nowhere, defying the odds with unimaginable runs that epitomize the madness of March.
George Mason (2006)
George Mason University finished its regular season with a 22-6 record but fell short in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. There was doubt that the Patriots would even make the NCAA Tournament, as mid-major conference teams that do not receive the automatic bid (by winning their conference tournament) are usually out of luck in making it to the Big Dance. The team’s tournament hopes were in the hands of the selection committee, and on Selection Sunday, the Patriots heard their name called. George Mason received an at-large bid and the 11th seed in the Washington, D.C Regional.
Before 2006, George Mason had made three NCAA Tournament appearances but never won a tournament game. But that year, the Patriots stunned the college basketball world with their run to the Final Four, as they took down some of the biggest names in college basketball history.
George Mason knocked off Michigan State, defending champion North Carolina, Wichita State, and No. 1 seed UConn before falling to the Florida Gators in the Final Four.
After George Mason’s run, the college basketball world had no choice but to take mid-major programs more seriously.
VCU (2011)
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) made a historic run to the Final Four in 2011. Just like the George Mason Patriots, the VCU Rams fell short of receiving the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, the Rams squeezed into the tournament, thanks to the NCAA’s newly created ‘First Four’ play-in round.
As one of the last at-large bids, the Rams beat the USC Trojans in the play-in round to spark their run. The VCU Rams cruised through the tournament’s opening weekend, defeating Georgetown and Purdue by an average margin of 18 points. VCU then gutted out a one-point overtime thriller against Florida State and took down No. 1 seed Kansas in the Elite Eight. VCU’s improbable run came to an end as they lost to the Butler Bulldogs. However, history was made. The Rams became the first team to go from the First Four all the way to the Final Four.
FGCU (2013)
The 2013 FGCU Eagles will forever be known as one of the most memorable teams in March Madness history. FGCU earned the nickname “Dunk City” with their electrifying style of play. The Eagles finished their regular season with a 24-10 record and an ASUN Championship, earning the automatic bid. FGCU entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed in the South Regional.
The Eagles stunned the Georgetown Hoyas with their high-flying dunks, instantly becoming fan favorites — and thus, the “Dunk City” moniker was born. In the second round, FGCU soared past San Diego State to become the first No. 15 seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Their thrilling run came to an end against Florida.
FGCU’s run to the Sweet Sixteen left a lasting impact on the university that is still felt today. The school received increased national attention and the “Dunk City” moniker became synonymous with FGCU men’s basketball, which continues to be a significant part of the university’s identity.
Loyola-Chicago (2018)
Loyola-Chicago had a remarkable run to the Final Four in 2018. The Ramblers cruised through their regular season and won the MVC tournament, punching their ticket to the NCAA tournament as a No. 11 seed and for the first time since 1985.
In the first round, the Ramblers upset the No. 6 seed Miami Hurricanes with a buzzer-beater three-pointer from the edge of the March Madness logo at halfcourt. There was no stopping the Ramblers from that point forward, as they marched to the Final Four with dramatic victories over Tennessee, Nevada and Kansas State. Then 98-year-old Sister Jean, a Catholic nun and the team’s chaplain, became one of the stars of the tournament in the process. However, the Ramblers’ magical March Madness run came to an end as they fell to Michigan in the national semifinal.
Sister Jean and Loyola-Chicago gave college basketball fans one of the most unforgettable Cinderella runs of all time.
St. Peter’s (2022)
St. Peter’s University defied expectations with an improbable run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The Peacocks went into March Madness as a No. 15 seed, following a 19-11 regular season record and MAAC Tournament championship.
The Peacocks stunned the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round with a six-point overtime victory. St. Peter’s continued to prove doubters wrong with wins over Murray State and Purdue. The Peacocks’ Cinderella run came to an end as they fell to eventual runner-up North Carolina in the Elite Eight. This run catapulted St. Peter’s — a private Jesuit school in Jersey City, N.J. with 3,000 students — into the national spotlight as they established their place in March Madness history as the first No. 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight.
NC State (2024)
NC State’s unlikely run to the Final Four in 2024 is still fresh in our minds. Nobody expected the Wolfpack to make the NCAA Tournament as they posted a mediocre 17-14 regular season record. However, NC State went on to win the ACC Tournament, winning five games in the span of five days to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. The selection committee awarded the Wolfpack a No. 11 seed in the South Region.
NC State continued its Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament by taking down Texas Tech, Oakland, Marquette and in-state rival Duke. The Wolfpack won nine consecutive elimination games before falling to Purdue in the Final Four.
The 2024 NC State team epitomizes the “survive and advance” mantra adopted by the Wolfpack’s legendary 1983 championship team.
