NCAA March Madness Records That Show Why This Is Such an Exciting Tournament
March Madness is almost upon us with Selection Sunday on March 17th! The excitement, drama, and unpredictability of March Madness has captivated basketball fans since the inception of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1939.
As we get ready for this legendary sporting event, let's dig into the archives to look at some extraordinary achievements that put the ‘madness' into March Madness.
UMBC's Historic Upset
In 2018, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), pulled off the unthinkable. The underdogs UMBC, a 16-seed, soundly defeated 1-seed Virginia 74-54. This is the first time a 16-seed beat a 1-seed in the tournament's history.
Largest March Madness Comeback
Duke's comeback against Maryland in 2001 remains the tournament's biggest turnaround. Trailing 22 points behind with 6:37 left in the first half, Duke made a remarkable rally to secure a 94-84 victory.
Duke Holds Another Comeback Record
On the flip side, Duke lost in the second-largest comeback of NCAA tournament history. In 1989, Seton Hall overcame an early 18-point deficit to beat Duke 95-78.
Most Points by a Player
Christian Laettner holds the record for the most points in an NCAA tournament career, amassing an impressive 407 points from 1989 to 1992. He's in a select group of players who have exceeded the 300-point mark during tournament play.
Highest Scoring Game
Loyola Marymount and Michigan engaged in a scoring spectacle in 1990, with Loyola Marymount emerging victorious 149-115. This game's combined score of 264 points holds the record for the highest scoring game in NCAA tournament history.
The Defensive Battle of the Century
In 1941, Pittsburgh and North Carolina played the lowest-scoring NCAA tournament game ever, with a final score of 26-20. The game had an incredible level of defensive tenacity, with both teams fiercely battling it out on the court. Despite North Carolina taking an early lead, Pittsburgh managed to mount a relentless 18-8 run in the second half, winning the game with their unyielding defense.
Austin Carr's Scoring Exploits
Notre Dame's Austin Carr delivered a legendary performance in 1970, scoring 61 points against Ohio, the most in a single NCAA tournament game. Carr's scoring record remains unmatched in tournament history.
Most Tournament Appearances and Wins
Kentucky leads the pack with the most NCAA tournament appearances (58) and wins (129). North Carolina closely follows with 50 appearances and 126 wins, reflecting their consistent dominance in March Madness.
Final Four Royalty: Most Appearances
North Carolina is among the elite group of teams that have earned the most Final Four appearances. They have been to 21 men's Final Fours, three more than the second-place UCLA (with 18 appearances in the Final Four).
UCLA's Unprecedented Championships
UCLA is the team with the most NCAA tournament championships, with 11 titles. The Bruin's remarkable run from 1964 to 1975 saw them secure 10 championships in just 12 years.
Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances
Kansas Jayhawks are known for their remarkable consistency in the NCAA tournament. With an ongoing streak of 33 consecutive tournament appearances, they surpassed North Carolina's previous record of 27 consecutive appearances. The Jayhawks secured a No. 1 seed in the 2022 tournament and won the championship, adding another title to their legacy.
Most Winning Coach in NCAA Tournament Success
In the hallowed halls of college basketball coaching, one name stands at the pinnacle of NCAA tournament victories – Mike Krzyzewski. Affectionately known as “Coach K,” the legendary figure at the helm of the Duke Blue Devils has accumulated an astonishing 97 NCAA tournament victories, securing his position as the winningest coach in the history of the tournament.
Historic NBA Basketball Trivia
Of course, the NCAA isn't the only basketball association with a storied past.
We collected this set of interesting NBA trivia for all you basketball (and trivia!) fans.