Which underdog will reach Minneapolis for the Final Four?

March 18, 2019 at 5:36AM
Vermont coach John Becker celebrates their 66-49 win over Maryland-Baltimore County in the championship of the America East Tournament. Last year, UMBC defeated Virginia as a 16 seed.
Vermont coach John Becker celebrates their 66-49 win over Maryland-Baltimore County in the championship of the America East Tournament. Last year, UMBC defeated Virginia as a 16 seed. (Brian Stensaas — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Nearly every year in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, it seems, there's an unforeseen underdog that finds its way into the Final Four. But it wasn't always like this.

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, teams seeded lower than No. 4 have appeared in the Final Four 23 times, and nearly half of those surprise appearances occurred in the past nine years.

The two charts below show the seeding for each team that made a Final Four since 1985. The seeds worse than four are highlighted, and those teams are listed directly below the chart. From 1985 to 2009, it was rare to have an unexpected Final Four team. Now, it's common.

(Brian Stensaas/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(Brian Stensaas/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

C.J. Sinner

Director of Graphics & Data Visuals

C.J. Sinner is the Director of Graphics and Data Visuals at the Star Tribune, managing a small team that works at the intersection of data and design to help enhance storytelling on all platforms through charts, maps and diagrams. 

See More

More from Sports

card image

Beginning Sunday in Seattle, the Vikings embark on a three-game journey to culminate what could become the most endearing season in the long and unconsummated history of the franchise..

card image
card image