Wild to me that 3 out of the 5 here somehow involve Tennessee either directly in the game (2010) or later on in the run of the winner of the coin flip game you highlight (2018 Loyola-Chicago and 2023 FAU). Vols have had some very strange luck with the NCAAT!
It predates your database, but the one that sticks with me is 12-seed Butler nearly knocking off 5-seed Florida in the first round in 2000.
First, Florida tied the game with 15 seconds left when 61% free throw shooter Udonis Haslem hit two from the line.
Then, despite leading by 3 with 20 seconds left in OT, they lost on a buzzer beater by Mike Miller after missing the front end of a 1-and-1.
Of course, Florida then went on a run all the way to the championship game.
Now I don’t think Butler had a ~50% chance to win the game pre-game — they were apparently 8.5 point underdogs. But if Butler had done it (ha) instead of Florida, they would still hold the record as the highest-ever seed to make the Final Four.
Wild to me that 3 out of the 5 here somehow involve Tennessee either directly in the game (2010) or later on in the run of the winner of the coin flip game you highlight (2018 Loyola-Chicago and 2023 FAU). Vols have had some very strange luck with the NCAAT!
It predates your database, but the one that sticks with me is 12-seed Butler nearly knocking off 5-seed Florida in the first round in 2000.
First, Florida tied the game with 15 seconds left when 61% free throw shooter Udonis Haslem hit two from the line.
Then, despite leading by 3 with 20 seconds left in OT, they lost on a buzzer beater by Mike Miller after missing the front end of a 1-and-1.
Of course, Florida then went on a run all the way to the championship game.
Now I don’t think Butler had a ~50% chance to win the game pre-game — they were apparently 8.5 point underdogs. But if Butler had done it (ha) instead of Florida, they would still hold the record as the highest-ever seed to make the Final Four.
What a fun post to read. I'm sure there are countless more you could cover. Here to hoping you do some day!