Do you know what a Cinderella in March Madness is? It is a small team in the NCAA tournament that makes it big. Well, here are my top five Cinderella teams of all time. They might be considered small, but they made it big by including record holders, hall of famers in the NBA, and even some national champions!
#5 2008 Davidson Wildcats
This was the first time the world had ever seen Steph Curry on a national stage, and it allowed him to show everyone his incredible skill set. Averaging 32 points a game, which is exceptional, he certainly delivered. Without it, he might not have made it to the NBA. The run ended in the Elite 8, where the Kansas Jayhawks won 59-57 in a close game.
#4 2011 VCU Rams
The Rams were in a place that no college team wants to be: the First Four. 68 teams make it into March Madness, but only 64 are eligible for the tournament. The four worst teams have to ball it out in the “opening round” (like a pre-tournament) to get the remaining two spots. VCU was able to clinch a seed in the tournament when they won their first two games. While it ended in the Final Four with an eight point loss to Butler, the 2011 VCU Rams were still an amazing team, and they got much further than expected with Jamie Skeen at the helm.
#3 2022 Saint Peter’s Peacocks
The Peacocks were just another team with bad facilities, no significant history, and a point guard who was a meme for his mustache. Then they braced themselves for Kentucky, and somehow, the Peacocks won in overtime, which was shocking! Then it was onto a lesser opponent Murray State, the 7th seed. The peacocks rolled them 70-60 to make the Sweet Sixteen. The run came to an end against Purdue…PSYCH! The small New Jersey school then went on to win in a close game by three points. The Peacocks faced North Carolina, where the run ended, losing 69-49 in a tough game in the Elite Eight. Still, the 2022 Peacocks had what was considered an amazing run by any standard.
#2 2014 UConn Huskies
The Huskies were the seventh seed, one below the midline, but shockingly, they won the final after playing the top four seeds. They also had a blowout in the national championship against Kentucky. The Connecticut team was the first 7th seed to win it all with five pro basketball players (the whole starting lineup went pro in the NBA and European leagues). The Huskies showed that tiny is mighty!
#1 1985 Villanova Wildcats
A team has never achieved what the 1985 Wildcats did. They were the eighth seed and set a record as the lowest seed to win the NCAA tournament. They are also known for shooting 78% from the field, led by Ed Pickney. The team was also the first champion in a 64-team bracket, beating out the mighty Georgetown in the final. Their record stands to this day, even in a time of legendary college basketball.
This concludes the biggest Cinderella teams in March Madness. Teams from different times, but all wanting the same thing: a deep run and some amazing memories. Who did I miss in the greatest sports tournament of all time?
