6-Seeds

6-seeds have been generally unremarkable.  If, and that’s a significant if, they get past their 11-seed foe, their next opponent is usually a tough 3-seed.  The 6-seed made somewhat regular appearances in the Elite 8 through the first 17 years of the expanded tournament.  It’s only happened six times since then (2001), though. It’s been 33 years since the last time a 6-seed made the Final 4.  Maybe they’re due??

Overall Performance

• 95 (of 156) 6-seeds advanced to the Second Round
• 45 went on to the Sweet 16
• 17 reached the Elite 8
• 3 reached the Final 4
• 2 made the championship game
• 1 was crowned champion

Performance Over the Last 10 Tournaments

• 18 (of 40) advanced to the Second Round
• 6 went on to the Sweet 16
• 4 reached the Elite 8

Record in the Second Round

• vs 3-seeds:  31-48
• vs 14-seeds:  14-2

Feats of Strength

• 1988 Kansas is the only team to win the tournament as a 6-seed.  They defeated 1-seed Oklahoma 83-79
• 1992 Michigan is the only other 6-seed to reach the Championship Game.  They lost to 1-seed Duke 71-51
• 1992 Michigan is also the last 6-seed to reach the Final Four
• The three 6-seeds to reach the Final Four
  • 1987 Providence
  • 1988 Kansas
  • 1992 Michigan
• Five 6-seeds have reached the Elite 8 in the last 14 tournaments
  • 2010 Tennessee
  • 2016 Notre Dame
  • 2021 USC
  • 2023 Creighton
  • 2024 Clemson