15-Seeds

After going 10 years without a single win, seven 15’s have advanced to the Second Round in the last 11 tournaments.  And it happened yet again last year. Each of the last three Sweet Sixteens included a 15-seed! What’s going on here?? Is this a new trend?  A total fluke?

15-seeds’ overall record is 11-141 (0.072).  Doesn’t sound like much to be concerned about, right?  In the last 11 tournaments, 15-seeds are 7-37 (0.159).

Overall Performance

• 11 (of 152) advanced to the Second Round
• 4 went on to the Sweet 16
• 1reached the Elite 8

Performance Over the Last 10 Years

• 5 (of 40) advanced to the Second Round
• 4 reached the Sweet 16
• 1 reached the Elite 8

Feats of Strength

• In 2022, Saint Peter’s made history as the first 15-seed to reach the Elite 8, and they didn’t luck into an easy path.  They eliminated 2-Kentucky (85-70 in OT), 7-Murray State (70-60), and 3-Purdue (67-64), before losing to 8-North Carolina (49-69) in the regional final.
• In 2013, Florida Gulf Coast became the first 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16.  It was a lot of fun to watch!  After beating 2-seed Georgetown (78-68), FGCU beat 7-seed San Diego State (81-71) two days later.  The hot streak ended with a 50-62 loss to 3-seed Florida.
• 2021 Oral Roberts advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating 2-Ohio State (75-72) and 7-Florida (81-78).  They lost to 3-Arkansas 70-72.
• 2023 Princeton advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating 2-Arizona (59-55) and 7-Missouri (78-63).  They lost to 6-Creighton 75-86.
• The Other Bracketbusters
  • 2016:  Middle Tennessee over Michigan State 90-81
  • 2012:  Lehigh over Duke 75-70 & Norfolk State over Missouri 86-84
  • 2001:  Hampton over Iowa State 58-57
  • 1997:  Coppin State over South Carolina 78-65 (lost by 1 point to Texas in the next round)
  • 1993:  Santa Clara over Arizona 64-61
  • 1991:  Richmond over Syracuse 73-69