NCAA Basketball: 10 most memorable NCAA Tournament runs of last decade

4. 2018 UMBC (America East, 25-11, 16 Seed)   Round of 32

As stated previously, a sole victory in the NCAA Tournament is hardly a “Tournament Run,” but for a 16 seed, even a single NCAA Tournament victory was thought by many to be impossible. So that brings us to the UMBC Retrievers.

The Retrievers stole our hearts a year ago when they pulled off a highly unlikely upset of #1 Virginia, the first time a #16 seed has ever beaten a #1. Not only did they beat them, they obliterated Virginia 74-54.

Of the two teams on the court that night, UMBC was the fittest and most athletic. Virginia was no match for UMBC’s athleticism, tenacious defense, and feisty demeanor. Offensively, UMBC rarely missed. Jairus Lyles stole the show, scoring 28 points while shooting 9/11 from the field. K.J. Maura, the America East Defensive Player of the Year contributed 10 points of his own while picking up some key steals and drawing a few charges.

The damage done to Virginia did not just end with Lyles and Maura. Joe Sherburne had 14 points and hit a few 3s to electrify the arena that was clearly rooting in their favor. Sophomore Forward Arkel Lamar added 12, and Senior Guard Jourdan Grant had eight. It truly was an incredible performance.

In the Second Round, UMBC met 8 seed Kansas State. Some followers of the college game assumed UMBC would fall all the way down to earth and be trounced by the Wildcats. To their surprise, UMBC played tough once again, but ultimately fell 50-42. The Retrievers did not match up well against the size the Kansas State possessed.

For becoming the first #16 to take down a #1, and the way in which they did so, UMBC’s “Tournament Run” to the Second Round will forever be seen as special.