Can 8th-seeded UConn make an NCAA Tournament run? Here are some 8-seeds who did it

If you’re like me, pencil in your mouth, staring at your bracket, wondering just how far it’s smart to take two-time defending national champion UConn in this year’s NCAA Tournament, you’re not alone.

The Huskies are a No. 8 seed in this year’s field, and while it may seem like an unfavorable draw, with an evenly-matched opponent in Round 1 and a No. 1 seed staring you down in Round 2, there’s still plenty of hope. It’s called March Madness for a reason, you know.

8-seeds have gone on incredible runs through the NCAA Tournament in the past, and even though the road is quite difficult, knocking out a No. 1 in Round 2 can give a team the confidence– and the clear path– it needs to march all the way to the Final Four.

Here’s a look back at some of the most memorable 8-seed runs in NCAA men’s basketball tournament history.

North Carolina, 2022.

If you were stunned by North Carolina’s First Four smackdown of San Diego State on Tuesday, maybe it shouldn’t have come as so much of a surprise given Hubert Davis’ history as an underdog in the NCAA Tournament. Davis guided the Tar Heels to the brink of a national championship in his first season, as the underdog ‘Heels upset top-seeded Baylor, beat No. 4 UCLA and then ended 15th-seeded St. Peter’s’ miracle run in the Elite Eight. Led by Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, UNC then ended coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career in the Final Four– in what may be Tar Heels’ fans’ most cherished win over Duke ever. North Carolina looked like it was about to win the national title, too, leading 40-25 at halftime before the Jayhawks stormed back in the second half to snatch the title.

Kentucky, 2014.

UConn knows all about beating an 8-seed that went on an incredible run through the tournament. John Calipari’s 2014 Kentucky squad struggled to find its footing in the first few months of the season but turned it on late, and the Wildcats were a popular pick to make a run when the brackets came out. They didn’t disappoint, as the team led by Julius Randle, Aaron and Andrew Harrison knocked out previously unbeaten No. 1 seed Wichita State in the second round and marched all the way to the national title game. Kevin Ollie’s UConn team was too much for them there, though, as the Huskies beat Kentucky 60-54 for the program’s fourth title.

Butler, 2011.

The Bulldogs were probably a little underrated entering the Big Dance in 2011, coming off of an appearance in the national title game the year before. Butler lost Gordon Hayward to the NBA, but Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard and Brad Stevens were back, and the Bulldogs embarked on a second straight stirring run all the way to the national title game. Butler upset No. 1 Pittsburgh in the second round in one of the wildest finishes ever, as Howard was fouled with 0.8 seconds left in a tie game on a full-court heave. Butler went all the way to the title game before losing to Kemba Walker and UConn, for the Huskies’ third national title.

Wisconsin, 2000.

Before Tony Bennett transformed Virginia with the pack-line defense, there was Dick Bennett, his father, who led a mediocre Wisconsin team to its first Final Four appearance in 59 years with sheer grit, toughness, and rock-solid defense. The Badgers went 22-14 during the season and 8-8 in the Big Ten, but earned an at-large bid and stunned No. 1 Arizona in the second round. Wisconsin went on to upset LSU and Purdue before losing a slugfest in the national semifinals to Mateen Cleaves and eventual champion Michigan State.

North Carolina, 2000.

2000 was the year of the 8-seed, as the Tar Heels also went on a memorable run to the Final Four in head coach Bill Guthridge’s first season at the helm after replacing the legendary Dean Smith. UNC struggled to mesh during the regular season, but this talented squad led by Joe Forte, Brendan Haywood, Jason Capel and Ed Cota came together at the right time, knocked out top-seeded Stanford in the second round and then beat an even bigger Cinderella, 7th-seeded Tulsa, in the Elite Eight. The ‘Heels were knocked out by Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Florida in the national semis.

Villanova, 1985.

The original Cinderella as an 8-seed, Rollie Massimino’s Vilanova squad remains the only one in history to run all the way to the national title. The Wildcats went 9-7 in the Big East in 1985, but earned an at-large, and upset Roy Tarpley and top-seeded Michigan in the second round. ‘Nova then beat Lefty Driesell’s Maryland in the Sweet 16, and toppled North Carolina to reach the Final Four. After downing Memphis in the semifinals, Ed Pinckney, Dwyane McClain and the Wildcats played what would be remembered as the ‘Perfect Game,’ going 22 for 27 from the field and upsetting Patrick Ewing and defending national champion Georgetown in the final, 66-64.

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