March Madness records for every seed from 1985 to 2024

March Madness is a thrilling time for college basketball fans, where unpredictability and excitement reign supreme. Each seed in the NCAA tournament comes with its own legacy and statistical highlights, offering insights into their historical performances and potential for upsets. From the dominant No. 1 seed to the underdog No. 16 seed, understanding these trends can greatly enhance the viewing experience and even inform your bracket predictions.

No. 1 seed

The No. 1 seed boasts a remarkable 515-131 overall record, with 25 championships since 1985. This dominance is underscored by a 154-2 record against No. 16 seeds, with only two upsets in history—UMBC in 2018 and FDU in 2023.

No. 2 seed

Number two seeds boast a 363-151 overall record and have won five championships since 1985. They have reached the championship game 13 times, with Villanova being the most recent winner in 2016. Despite their strong performance, they face stiff competition in later rounds.

No. 3 seed

The No. 3 seed boasts a 287-152 record, with four championship wins since 1985. Notably, they have a 14.74% upset rate against No. 14 seeds, with 23 losses in the first round, including recent upsets like Oakland over Kentucky in 2024.

No. 4 seed

The No. 4 seed has achieved two NCAA championships and holds a 243-154 overall record. Despite their strong performance, they have been upset by No. 13 seeds 33 times since 1985, with a recent example being Yale’s win over Auburn in 2024.

No. 5 seed

The No. 5 seed has a 180-156 overall record, with no championships won. Notably, they often face upsets from No. 12 seeds, with at least one such upset occurring in 33 of the last 39 tournaments since 1985.

No. 6 seed

The No. 6 seed holds a 163-155 overall record, with one championship win. They have a 95-61 record against No. 11 seeds since 1985, though No. 11 seeds have been more successful recently, going 18-14 over the past eight tournaments.

No. 7 seed

The No. 7 seed holds a 139-155 overall record since 1985, with one championship. Notably, they have a 95-60 record against No. 10 seeds, though recent years have seen more upsets, with at least one No. 10 seed winning in each of the last five tournaments.

No. 8 seed

The No. 8 seed boasts a notable achievement with Villanova’s 1985 championship win, the lowest-seeded team to claim the title. Despite this, 8 seeds have a challenging record, often facing strong competition in early rounds, with recent years seeing mixed results against No. 9 seeds.

No. 9 seed

Number nine seeds hold an 81-75 edge over No. 8 seeds since 1985, with a notable 4-0 sweep in 2019. In 2024, they went 3-1 against No. 8 seeds, maintaining their slight advantage in these matchups.

No. 10 seed

The No. 10 seed holds a 94-155 overall record from 1985 to 2024, with no championships won. They have shown competitive spirit, particularly against No. 7 seeds, where they have a relatively even record in recent years.

No. 11 seed

The No. 11 seed has a notable record, with six teams reaching the Final Four since 1985, including UCLA in 2021 and Loyola-Chicago in 2018. Despite this success, no No. 11 seed has won the championship. They often upset No. 6 seeds, winning 39.1% of those matchups.

No. 12 seed

The No. 12 seed has a 79-156 record since 1985. There have been at least one 12-seed upset of a 5-seed in 33 of the last 39 tournaments. Despite reaching the Sweet Sixteen 21 times, no 12 seed has won the championship, with the 2002 Missouri Tigers being the only team to advance to the Elite Eight.

No. 13 seed

No. 13 seeds have achieved 33 upsets over No. 4 seeds since 1985, with a notable win by Yale over Auburn in 2024. Despite these upsets, no No. 13 seed has won a championship, with their deepest run being the Sweet Sixteen on six occasions.

No. 14 seed

Number 14 seeds have a 25-156 overall record, with no championships. They have upset No. 3 seeds 23 times since 1985, most recently Oakland defeating Kentucky in 2024. Only two 14 seeds have advanced past the second round: Cleveland State in 1986 and Chattanooga in 1997.

No. 15 seed

Number 15 seeds have a 16-156 record since 1985, with 11 upsets over No. 2 seeds. The most recent was Princeton’s 2023 win over Arizona. Despite these upsets, no 15 seed has reached the Final Four or won a championship.

No. 16 seed

The No. 16 seed holds a 2-156 record against No. 1 seeds since 1985. Notable upsets include UMBC defeating Virginia in 2018 and FDU beating Purdue in 2023. Despite these rare victories, No. 16 seeds have never advanced beyond the second round.
Conclusion

*The 2021 first round match-up between No. 7 Oregon and No. 10 VCU was considered a no contest due to COVID-19 protocols.

The NCAA tournament is a captivating blend of tradition, surprises, and competition. As we’ve explored, each seed holds distinct records and stories that contribute to the rich tapestry of March Madness. Whether it’s the formidable prowess of top seeds or the Cinderella stories of lower seeds, the tournament continues to capture the hearts of fans. Regardless of your favorite team or seed, the unpredictability and passion of college basketball ensure that March Madness remains a must-watch spectacle.