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 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 four times since then (2001). It’s been 31 years since the last time a 6-seed made the Final 4.  Maybe they’re due??

Overall Performance

  • 91 (of 148) 6-seeds advanced to the Second Round
  • 43 went on to the Sweet 16
  • 15 reached the Elite 8
  • 3 reached the Final 4
  • 2 made the championship game
  • 1 was crowned champion

Performance Over the Last 10 Tournaments

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

Bracket Performance History and Advice

  • First Round:  86% chance of at least one upset.
  • Second Round:  61% of 6’s reach this round.
  • Sweet 16:  29% of 6’s reach this round.
  • Elite 8:  Only 10% of all 6’s make it this far.
  • Final 4:  A 6-seed hasn’t reached the Final 4 since 1992, so it would be a shocker to see one make it this year.
  • Final:  Of the three teams that reached the Final 4, two of them played for the title, and one of them won it.

Record in the Second Round

  • vs 3-seeds:  29-46
  • 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
  • Three 6-seeds have reached the Elite 8 in the last 11 tournaments
    • 2010 Tennessee
    • 2016 Notre Dame
    • 2021 USC

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