Top 5 worst First-Round losses in March Madness history after UNC’s collapse vs. VCU 

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No. 6 North Carolina registered one of the worst first-round losses in March Madness history on Thursday, losing 82-78 to No. 11 VCU. Surprises are not a new thing in the NCAA Tournament. However, some upsets are so groundbreaking that they become historic reference points.

Thursday’s loss by the Tar Heels is one of such upsets. There are several others in the annals of the NCAA Tournament. Here, we look at five of the worst first-round losses in March Madness history.

Top 5 worst first-round losses in March Madness history

5. No. 15 Norfolk State vs. No. 2 Missouri (2012)

Missouri, one of the best offensive teams in 2011-2012, came into this matchup as a 21-point favorite. However, Norfolk State, making its first postseason appearance, handed the Tigers an 86-84 defeat, thanks to an iconic performance by Kyle O’Quinn. O’Quinn scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to crash Missouri’s Final Four dreams that season.

4. No. 15 Saint Peter’s vs. No. 2 Kentucky (2022)

Kentucky was tipped by many to win the national title going into the 2022 March Madness. Led by Congolese sensation Oscar Tshiebwe, the Wildcats fell 85-79 in overtime to a relatively unknown school from Jersey City. The Peacocks proved they were not a fluke, reaching the Elite Eight before losing to North Carolina. Murray State and Purdue were also victims of Saint Peter’s run.

3. No. 15 Oral Roberts vs. No. 2 Ohio State (2021)

The Golden Eagles ended Ohio State’s postseason dream of a deep NCAA Tournament run in 2021. The beat Ohio State 75-72 in overtime, handing the Buckeyes one of the worst first-round losses in March Madness history. Oral Roberts managed another win in the tournament, beating Florida to reach the Sweet Sixteen, where it lost to Arkansas.

2. No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson vs. No. 1 Purdue (2023)

With 7’4” National Player of the Year Zach Edey against Fairleigh Dickinson, which was the shortest team nationally, it was an easy matchup for Purdue. However, the Knights mounted a relentless pressure that left the Boilermakers in a late-game paralysis, earning them a 63-58 win that has become iconic.

1. No. 16 UMBC vs. No. 1 Virginia (2018)

This game ranks high among the worst first-round losses in March Madness history. It set the record as the first loss by a No. 1 seed to a No. 16 seed. Prior to the game, No. 1 seeds were 135-0 against No. 16 seeds. However, Virginia didn’t just lose; it lost by 20 points, falling to a 74-54 defeat.