They won't be the first 1 to lose to a 16, but I don't see them getting far. Of course, I wouldn't be upset if they did, mind you. I think a lot of people underestimate how vital he was to their defense. Just ask Tyler Olander. He was rushing those shots last week like a hot potato.
Found this because I was trying to remember who almost beat Purdue in the first round in 1996:
Best 1 v 16 Games ever
8. 1997 – (1) North Carolina vs. (16) Fairfield
A night on which Dean Smith tied Adolph Rupp’s 876 win total was almost ruined by a team that went 11-18 in the regular season. The Stags actually led by seven at halftime and were within three points with just 3:33 to play. UNC pulled it out, though, and won the game 82-74. Whew!
7. 1986 – (1) Duke vs. (16) Mississippi Valley State
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils led by 11 points in the second half and forced 23 turnovers in the game. All-American Johnny Dawkins brought the Blue Devils back, though, and Duke ended up winning 85-78.
6. 1989 – (1) Illinois vs. (16) McNeese State
McNeese State (which I’m still not convinced is a real school) gave top seeded Illinois everything they could handle, but Illinois was able to hang on in the end, winning the game by six, 77-71.
5. 1985 – (1) Michigan vs. (16) Fairleigh Dickinson
The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights led by six at the half in this one. Head coach Tom Green (not the one who starred in Freddy Got Fingered) was with the team then and is still with the team now. They ended up losing the game 59-55, but in the first year of the 64-team format, they’ll forever be remembered as the first #16 to ever really challenge a #1.
4. 1996 – (1) Purdue vs. (16) Western Carolina
Western Carolina was down by just two points with the ball in the final seconds of the game. They took a three pointer that would’ve given them the lead with just a few ticks left on the clock. The Catamounts missed the shot, but grabbed the offensive rebound and had yet another chance to tie it. Unfortunately, it bounced off the back rim. One could argue that this was close as a #16 has ever been to advancing to the second round.
3. 1989 – (1) Oklahoma vs. (16) East Tennessee State
1989 was the year of the near upset. I already touched on Illinois’ six-point escape of McNeese State, and there was definitely more to come. The Sooners managed to edge East Tennessee State by one point in this contest, 72-71, despite Keith “Mister” Jennings going berserk for the upstart Buccaneers.
2. 1989 – (1) Georgetown vs. (16) Princeton
Yes. TWO 16 seeds were within a single basket of knocking off #1 seeds in 1989. Princeton actually held the ball during the final seconds in this one as well. They took two shots that could have won it, but Alonzo Mourning wouldn’t have it. He blocked both attempts by the Tigers, and Georgetown held on to win the game by the skin of their teeth.
1. 1990 – (1) Michigan State vs. (16) Murray State
I’ll break the suspense – Michigan State won by four. So, why is this No. 1 on my list? Because Michigan State had to go to overtime to make it happen. To this day, the 1990 Murray State Racers are the only #16 seed not to lose in regulation. The fat man competed with the body builder to the very end, and the judges needed extra time to make a decision. The Racers played one of the best games a huge underdog has ever played. I applaud them.
Wondering how the #1 seeds fared after their close escapes?
1985 – Michigan lost in the second round
1996 – Purdue lost in the second round
1989 – Oklahoma made the Sweet 16
1990 – Michigan State made the Sweet 16
1989 – Georgetown made the Elite Eight
1989 – Illinois made the Final Four
1997 – North Carolina made the Final Four
1986 – Duke reached the Finals, losing to Louisville
