The NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting events in sports. Every year, 64 teams from across the country compete for the national championship. The tournament is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that each team only gets one chance to advance. Because of this, upsets are common and the lower seeded teams often have an advantage. One of the most common upsets are those involving the 13 seed. But how often does a 13 seed actually win in the NCAA Tournament?
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History of 13 Seeds in the NCAA Tournament
The NCAA Tournament has been around since 1939. During this time, there have been hundreds of 13 seed matchups. Over the years, the 13 seed has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. The first 13 seed to make it to the Sweet 16 was Richmond in 1988. Since then, a 13 seed has made the Sweet 16 10 times.
In the last 30 years, the 13 seed has won a game in the tournament 21 times. The most successful 13 seed in tournament history was the 2006 Bradley Braves, who made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before falling to the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators.
How Often Does a 13 Seed Win?
In the last 30 years, the 13 seed has won 21 out of a possible 120 games. That’s a win percentage of 17.5%. The 13 seed has won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament in 16 of the last 30 years, and has made the Sweet 16 10 times.
In the last 10 years, the 13 seed has been particularly successful. In this span, they have won 12 out of 40 games, for a win percentage of 30%. They have also made the Sweet 16 five times in this span.
Why Do 13 Seeds Win So Often?
There are a few reasons why 13 seeds have been so successful in the NCAA Tournament. One of the biggest reasons is the structure of the tournament itself. Since it is a single-elimination tournament, any team can win on any given day. This level playing field gives the underdog teams a chance to pull off a huge upset.
Another reason is the fact that 13 seeds have often been underrated. Since the teams from the major conferences tend to get the most attention, the smaller schools that make up the 13 seed are often overlooked. This means that the 13 seed often has an advantage in the matchup since they are not as well-known.
Conclusion
The 13 seed has been a consistent force in the NCAA Tournament over the last 30 years. They have won 21 out of a possible 120 games, for a win percentage of 17.5%. In the last 10 years, they have been particularly successful, winning 12 out of 40 games, for a win percentage of 30%. This success can be attributed to the structure of the tournament and the fact that 13 seeds are often underrated. No matter what the seed, any team can win in the NCAA Tournament.