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NCAA Basketball: Top 25 NCAA Tournament cinderellas since 2000

George Mason Patriots. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
George Mason Patriots. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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Hampton Pirates
Hampton Pirates. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT /

22) 2001 Hampton Pirates, No. 15-seed

Record: 25-7, Round of 32
Beat: (2) Iowa State Cyclones

One of the most memorable pictures came from the 2001 upset by the Hampton Pirates over the Iowa State Cyclones. The image of a player picking up head coach Steve Merfeld with his hands and legs outstretched was something that fans will never forget.

Hampton became just the fourth No. 15-seed to win a game in the NCAA Tournament. It sent off a wild celebration that included this special moment. The Pirates may have only won one game, but they caught the hearts of everyone in Boise, Idaho, where they were playing, and many others across the country. This was a cinderella team that toppled the heavily favored Cyclones.

Hampton made the NCAA Tournament by rolling through their conference tournament. The Pirates beat the Morgan State Bears by 12, the Norfolk State Spartans by 27 and won the MEAC conference championship by beating the South Carolina State Bulldogs by 12.

It was little resistance for a team that ran through the MEAC with a 14-4 conference record. The Pirates had won 13 of their last 14 games heading into the NCAA Tournament. They were playing their best basketball and the Cyclones were on the losing end one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

Hampton led by four at halftime, but after a back-and-forth second half, Travis Williams would hit a shot with 6.9 seconds left to put the Pirates up one. Jamaal Tinsley would take the ball down the court, but missed a layup with 1.9 seconds left.

The celebration was on. Williams led the Pirates with 16 points. He was one of just five players from either team to score in double figures. Hampton held future NBA player Tinsley to just nine points and slowed down the entire Cyclones team.

Hampton would be one of the least likely teams to win a tournament game. The Pirates’ shocking upset of Iowa State had the basketball world buzzing. Their fairy tale would end two days later when the Georgetown Hoyas beat them by 18, but the story had already been written and the Hampton was the main attraction.

Basketball fans may forget the score, but they will always remember the scene of Coach Merfeld being lifted in the air after the Pirates’ huge upset of the Cyclones.