Every March, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament delivers something that no other sporting event quite replicates: the Cinderella story. The unexpected tournament runs that shock the country, bust millions of brackets, and turn previously obscure programs into household names overnight.
Whether it’s a mid-major taking down a blue blood, a double-digit seed storming into the Final Four or even a school mascot capturing the hearts of fans across the nation, these magical runs are why we tune in to March Mayhem.
But which run was the most magical? Below is a ranking of ten of the most memorable runs since the turn of the millenium.
10. Oral Roberts (2021)
The 2021 run by Oral Roberts was one of the most surprising early-round stories of the modern tournament. Entering March Madness as a No. 15 seed, Oral Roberts shocked the basketball world by knocking off No. 2 Ohio State 75-72 in overtime in the first round.
Led by star guard Max Abmas and forward Kevin Obanor, the Golden Eagles followed that win by defeating Florida 81-78 in the Round of 32. Their magical run ended in the Sweet 16 with a narrow 72-70 loss to Arkansas, but becoming just the second No. 15 seed ever to reach that stage cemented their place in tournament lore.
9. Davidson (2008)
Few individual performances in NCAA Tournament history compare to what Stephen Curry did during Davidson’s 2008 run.
Curry caught fire in spectacular fashion, scoring 40 against No. 7 Gonzaga, 30 against No. 2 Georgetown, and 33 in a blowout win over No. 3 Wisconsin on their way to the Elite Eight. His scoring explosions and deep shooting range turned him into a national sensation and foreshadowed the superstar career he would later have in the NBA.
Davidson’s run ended just short of the Final Four with a two-point loss to Kansas (where Curry scored only 25), but Curry’s brilliance ensured this Cinderella story would never be forgotten.
8. Florida Atlantic (2023)
Florida Atlantic’s 2023 tournament run proved that mid-majors could still crash the party in the modern era of college basketball.
The Owls entered the tournament as a No. 9 seed and methodically defeated Memphis, fellow Cinderellas Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State to reach the Final Four. Their disciplined team play and clutch late-game execution made them one of the most complete teams of the year’s tournament.
Although FAU fell to No. 5 San Diego State 72-71 in one of the most bizarre Final Four matchups of all time, the Owls nevertheless cemented their legacy as one of the best Cinderella stories in the tournament’s history.
7. Butler (2011)
Just one year after nearly winning the national championship, Butler proved their previous run was no fluke.
Despite losing star forward Gordon Hayward to the NBA, the Bulldogs once again powered through the tournament bracket. Led by another future NBA player in Shelvin Mack, No. 8 Butler scraped by No. 9 Old Dominion 60-58 in the first round, before beating No. 1 Pittsburgh, No. 4 Wisconsin, and No. 2 Florida in OT to return to the Final Four. There, they would be matched up with fellow underdogs No. 11 VCU (who may or may not be showing up later on this list), where Mack would score 24 on 72% FG to lead the Bulldogs to the championship game.
Unfortunately, Butler’s spark would run out shortly after, as they were defeated in the championship game 53-41 by Kemba Walker’s UConn in what’s widely considered as one of the worst national championship games of all time. However, their outstanding 2 year run cemented their place in March Mayhem folklore for years to come.
6. Wichita State (2013)
The Wichita State Shockers somewhat ironically shocked the world with their tournament run in 2013.
Powered by a talented core featuring Cleanthony Early, Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, No. 9 Wichita State knocked off Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, La Salle, and Ohio State on the way to the Final Four.
Their physical defense, veteran leadership, and relentless effort helped them push eventual champion Louisville to the brink in the national semifinal, narrowly losing 72-68. Even in defeat, the Shockers proved they belonged on the biggest stage, setting up the undefeated regular season and eventual AP No. 2 ranking that would follow the next year.
5. Saint Peter’s (2022)
With all the talk on Cinderella runs and potential upsets that comes up every year in the build up to March Mayhem, no one could have ever predicted No. 15 Saint Peter’s first round victory over traditional powerhouse Kentucky.
Yet 27 points from Daryl Banks II and 20 from Doug Edert off the bench ensured the Peacocks outlasted the Wildcats 85-79 in OT. What’s more, they kept the magic alive with wins over No. 7 Murray State and No.3 Purdue, making Saint Peter’s the first No. 15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to reach the Elite Eight.
Though their run ended against another blue-blood in North Carolina, Saint Peter’s historic accomplishment had already captured the imagination of college basketball fans everywhere.
4. Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) (2011)
VCU’s 2011 run began with controversy and ended with history.
Benefitting from the NCAA’s decision to expand the tournament field from 65 to 68 teams, the Rams barely made the tournament as an at-large bid, needing to beat USC 59-46 in the First Four just to enter the main bracket. From there, they caught fire, defeating No. 6 Georgetown, No. 3 Purdue, No. 10 Florida State and No. 1 Kansas, their closest game ironically being against FSU. By the time VCU reached the Final Four against previously mentioned Butler, they had become one of the most unlikely teams ever to make it that far—silencing critics who had questioned their inclusion in the tournament.
With the Rams once again set as a No. 11 seed for the 2026 tournament, time will tell if they can replicate the magic from 2011.
3. Florida Gulf Coast (FGCU) (2013)
Few teams have brought the March crowd to life quite like Florida Gulf Coast in 2013.
Nicknamed “Dunk City”, FGCU electrified the tournament with their high-flying style and highlight-reel alley-oops. As a No. 15 seed, they defeated No. 2 Georgetown and No. 7 San Diego State to become the first No. 15 seed ever to reach the Sweet 16, exemplified by Chase Fieler’s posterization of SD State’s DeShawn Stephens.
Although the run ended there in a 62-50 loss to in-state rivals Florida, FGCU’s exciting brand of basketball made them one of the most entertaining and memorable teams in the tournament’s history.
2. Loyola Chicago (2018)
Loyola Chicago’s magical run to the 2018 Final Four became one of the most beloved stories in March Madness history.
The Ramblers won three straight nail-biters to reach the Elite Eight, defeating No. 6 Miami 64-62, No. 3 Tennessee 63-62 and No. 7 Nevada 69-68, before dominating No. 9 Kansas State 78-62 to reach the Final Four. Despite subsequently losing to No. 3 Michigan, the Ramblers had already cemented themselves as one of the most iconic Cinderellas in the tournament’s history.
Adding to the charm of the run was Sister Jean, the team’s 98-year-old chaplain who quickly became a national icon as Loyola’s biggest supporter. Her courtside presence turned the Ramblers into America’s favorite team during that tournament.
1. George Mason (2006)
The earliest run on our list also happens to be the best, at least in our opinion.
Widely considered the first true NCAA tournament Cinderella run, the No. 11 Patriots stunned traditional powerhouse programs throughout the bracket. They defeated No. 6 Michigan State, No. 3 North Carolina, admittedly not as much of a powerhouse in No. 7 Wichita State, and No. 1 Connecticut on their way to the Final Four.
Their 86-84 victory over a Rudy Gay-led UConn in an overtime thriller to reach the Final Four remains one of the greatest upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Although George Mason ultimately fell to No. 3 Florida in the national semifinal, their run redefined what mid-major programs could achieve in March Madness and promptly gave belief to the teams listed prior that anything is possible.