11-Seeds · Bracket Research

11-seeds have become the ultimate bracket busters. 2024's NC State was the most recent 11-seed to bust millions of brackets by reaching the Final Four. They’ve similarly laid waste to brackets three other times in the last 14 tournaments. 11-seeds have actually reached the Second Round and the Sweet 16 about as often as 12-seeds, but they’re the only double-digit seed (outside of 10-Syracuse in 2016) to reach the Final 4.

Overall Performance

62 (of 160) advanced to the Second Round
27 went on to the Sweet 16
10 reached the Elite 8
6 reached the Final 4

Performance Over the Last 10 Years

21 (of 40) advanced to the Second Round
10 went on to the Sweet 16
4 reached the Elite 8
3 reached the Final 4

Record in the Second Round

vs 3-seeds: 20-35
vs 14-seeds: 7-0

Feats of Strength

In 1989 all four 11-seeds advanced to the second round
Six 11-seeds have advanced to the Final 4:
- 2024 - NC State
- 2021 - UCLA
- 2018 - Loyola-Chicago
- 2011 - Virginia Commonwealth
- 2006 - George Mason
- 1986 - LSU