The 6 Biggest 2011 March Madness Upsets So Far

Posted on by Brian Neese (BrianN)
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After six consecutive days of college basketball, we have now reached the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Three rounds are in the books and there are four more days of college basketball coming this weekend - the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight (Thursday to Sunday).

It is no wonder that this tournament is referred to as "March Madness." Indeed, as always, we have seen our fair share of upsets. There are four of 16 teems seeded above #8. Here we look at the six biggest upsets in this year's tournament - including a huge upset with an ending perhaps never seen in a major basketball game.

6. #12 Richmond over #5 Vanderbilt (69-66)

Richmond is in the Sweet 16, and it is their win over Vanderbilt that is most impressive (they beat Morehead State in the third round). It is interesting as this upset was supported in history: Richmond has previously pulled out some upsets, such as in 1984 over Barkley's Auburn team, over #2 Syracuse in 1991, and over South Carolina in 1998 as a #14 seed. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has lost in their last three NCAA appearances (to two #13 seeds, Murray State last year and Siena in 2008).

The Atlantic-10 tournament champions were only a three-point underdog, and judging from the Spiders' reactions after the game, it was not unexpected to grab the upset. Kevin Anderson led the Spiders with 25 points, including the floater that led to the Commodores' defeat with under 20 seconds left on the clock.

Richmond will face top-seeded Kansas in the Southwest division on Friday night (7:27 ET, TBS).

5. #13 Morehead State over #4 Louisville (62-61)

Losing in the third round to Richmond, Morehead State easily qualified for the biggest second-round upset in the tournament. Taking care of a greater in-state sports power (yes, Morehead State is in Kentucky), the Ohio Valley Conference tournament winners knocked off Louisville.

The run-and-gun Cardinals could never keep the Eagles of Morehead State out of the game. Then, with 4.2 seconds left in the game, Demonte Harper hit the 3-point shot that could produce only the word "onions" from the commentator:


Perhaps Louisville was a bit overrated, or at least qualified as overachievers, but Morehead State's win is certainly impressive.

4. #10 Florida State over #2 Notre Dame (71-56)

In an amusing coincidence, it is interesting to hear what Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino said about this upset (0:50) before it happened, after Charles Barkley attacked the strength of the Big East (i.e., Pitt, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Louisville, etc. losing):


After seven 3-pointers in the first half, the defensively-minded Irish were unable to handle the Seminoles in a near-runaway. Unable to stop the offensive firepower from Florida State, Notre Dame also only shot 30.6% from the field - not a good combination.

Leading into our next upset, Florida State will face VCU on Friday night (9:57 ET, or following the Rich/KU game on TBS).

3. #11 VCU over #3 Purdue (94-76)

Beating USC in the first round could be considered a minor upset for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Yet, with a couple more upsets, the Rams of VCU continued to knock off #6 Georgetown and #3 Purdue.

The up-tempo VCU squad has looked very impressive, obviously, as they have made their way to the Sweet 16, where they currently stand with a decent chance of continuing to the Elite 8. The athletic Rams only committed four turnovers while shooting 56.9% from the floor to take care of the Boilermakers comfortably.

As seen in the previous upset in the list, VCU will face Florida State on Friday night.

2. #11 Marquette over #3 Syracuse (66-62)

Marquette has been a threatening team, capable of making a run in the tournament this year. Their first upset wasn't that unexpected after they beat sixth-seeded Xavier, but this one was quite noticeable.

The athletic and strong defensive Golden Eagles of Marquette were able to handle the Syracuse zone and their big man in the middle, Rick Jackson (he averaged a double-double during the regular season, finishing this game with seven points and four rebounds). With 27 seconds on the clock, Darius Johnson-Odom hit a three to break the tie, onwards to a four-point win over the higher-ranked Big East power.

Will Marquette continue their upset streak? They face #2 North Carolina on Friday night (7:15 ET, CBS).

1. #8 Butler over #1 Pittsburgh (71-70)

Not only did Butler pull off the biggest upset of the tournament thus far, but it happened in a fashion that is unmatched - as repeated by analysts that have been around basketball. The only upset to end a number one seed in the tournament so far, Butler beat Pittsburgh following their two-point win over #9 Old Dominion.

Here is the ending: Butler hits an easy field goal with 2.2 seconds left in the game to take the lead, 70-69. As Pittsburgh is throwing in the ball under Butler's basket, a long bounce pass to half court is received, where, inexplicably, Shelden Mack of Butler runs into Gilbert Brown. Brown hits the first to tie the game (70-70), but misses the second with 1.4 seconds in the game.

Then comes the next inexplicable foul that was even worse than the previous one. Brown misses the second free throw, leaving the game tied with 1.4 seconds remaining. As Matt Howard of Butler grabs the rebound, his arm is clearly grabbed by Nasir Robinson of Pittsburgh. Obviously the game was tied - it would have went into overtime if Howard wasn't fouled; however, the foul means that Butler gets two shots since they're in the double bonus. Howard hits the first and then misses the second on purpose to win the game.

Here is a decent, though long (head to around 6:00 to see the very end) video if you didn't see the ending (which is not to be missed):


After that memorable game, Butler advances to the Sweet 16 and will face #4 Wisconsin (9:57 ET, or after the BYU/FLA game on TBS).

Which one was your favorite - and do you predict any big upsets in the next few days?

Are You Impressed with the Tournament?

1321 views & 9 votes

Debate It! 7

I predict Kentucky will beat Ohio State and if I'm wrong you all can laugh at me, but if I'm right I expect to be formally acknowledged on This or That. Also, I disagree that Butler beating Pitt was the biggest upset of the tournament. Pitt was given a 1 seed because of what they did early in the season and also because they won in the highly overrated Big East (I agree with Barkley) The end of their season was trash and I never expected them to get to the Elite 8. The ending was crazy and Butler threw the game away with a horrible foul, but then Pitt gave it back with a worse foul so it was certainly the most unusual win, but not the biggest upset. I think it goes to either Morehead St. beating Louisville with a dramatic three or VCU over Purdue to get into the Sweet 16 after most people said they shouldn't even be allowed to play in the tourney.

Posted By ev.morris28,

I hate Ohio State, but I hate Kentucky more -- Calipari is one shady asshole.

Posted By Rebecca,

Yeah I see your point. In my mind Louisville is just a run-and-gun, overachieving team that was poised to not make a big run. I think VCU is much better than their seed - easily talented enough to take over a two-man Purdue team that also hasn't looked good - VCU should take care of FSU easily if they play well. It's not a runaway, but I think Butler is the biggest - they've looked terrible this year, have little star power, and took down a number one seed. They're all not too far away though, lots of big upsets this year already.

Posted By BrianN,

Rebecca, that might be the most hurtful thing you've ever said to me. I'm gonna need a few days to recover.

Posted By ev.morris28,

@Ev You a Kentucky (or Calipari) fan? He's such a douche -- steals recruits from other universities. Who knows what he bribes them with...

Posted By Rebecca,

He bribes them with LOVE! I was born and raised in Kentucky so I'm a fan of both. I guess I'm gonna have to write a post on the man to help you see the light!

Posted By ev.morris28,

Haha, I doubt you'll win me over.

Posted By Rebecca,

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