The Best Underdog Performances in the 2021 NCAA Tournament

By: Edwin Duodu

March Madness is where greatness happens for young student-athletes. It’s where the hard work that a basketball program has put in throughout the whole season gets to showcase its skills. Coaches make their names known in these moments, putting their players in the best possible position to succeed. The month of March is also where upsets happen, and unexpected tears are shed. Throughout the NCAA tournament, there were multiple upset performances that no one saw coming. Even if people weren’t surprised at how these teams performed, the disbelief was still there after they won games they shouldn’t have. Let’s take a look at where each upset team ranked in this year’s tournament.

11. #10 Maryland Over #7 Uconn

After heading into the tournament, having lost three of their last four games, it was evident that the Terrapins weren’t playing with any confidence. Maryland was set for a matchup with one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation in Uconn and a solid defense on the perimeter. While the Huskies did their job in out-rebounding Maryland by 22-4, they could not contain the three-point shot throughout the entire game. The Terrapins shot 50% for the field opened up the lead early, with 14 being the largest of the game. A great showing by guard Eric Ayala to lead the team with 23 points saw Maryland top Uconn 63-54. By no means the most eye-popping performance of the tournament, but one that saw Maryland gain the respect of many fans who thought they wouldn’t be up to the challenge.

10. #10 Rutgers Defeats #7 Clemson Off Of Bizarre Layup

What’s the best way to add on to one of the best seasons Rutgers has had in a while? An upset win in the tournament, of course. Aside from a poor run of games in the middle of the season, the Scarlet Knights won massive games against Michigan State and Illinois to show why they belong. Led by a solid defense and veteran leadership, this team had what it took to make noise in the postseason, and they did just that against the Clemson Tigers. The task would be arduous, as the Tigers had similar play styles that didn’t bode well for Rutgers coming into the matchup. However, receiving 13 points apiece from Geo Baker, Jacob Young, and Caleb McConnell saw the game through for a 60-56 win. It took a crazy layup by Baker to earn Rutgers its first win since 1983, but it was apparent that night was destined to belong to the Scarlet Knights.

9. #11 Syracuse Surprises Both #6 San Diego State and #3 West Virginia

The Orange headed into the tournament with a good defense, athletic ability, and overall a well-rounded team. Syracuse could also embody a three and D team, being capable of getting hot from three and a solid paint presence. One factor that many thought would potentially hold them back in this tournament, inconsistency. That wouldn’t fare well against a San Diego State Aztecs team that ranked eighth in the nation and does well in limiting turnovers. The Aztecs did one thing right that day, committing only five turnovers. But they also shot 35% from the field and were routed by the Orange 78-62 because they couldn’t contain the three. Oh, and Buddy Boeheim shot 11/15 and dropped 30 points. Boeheim followed up that performance with a 25 point outing against West Virginia. They were going up against a Mountaineer side that is also strong defensively and gets to the free-throw line a bunch. Syracuse was 10-0 when holding opponents to under 45% shooting. Make that 11-0 as West Virginia was held to 37% from the field, surrendered 14 threes, and were down 14 early. The Mountaineers would make a run and take a one-point lead with 9:46 remaining in the second half. Still, Syracuse’s eventual 12-4 would see the Orange go on to win a close one, 75-72. 

8. #13 Ohio Breaks Down #4 Virginias Title Defense

All the signs pointed to a Virginia win. The Cavaliers were coming into the tournament with a defense that could potentially carry them for a shot at the title. The team possessed a decent offense and was resting for nine days before the start of the tournament. However, momentum carried the Ohio Bobcats to an upset win, shooting over 48% from the field and three in their last couple of games. Bobcats showcased their defensive abilities that day, holding Virginia to only 35% from the field and outrebounding them 38-29. Ben Vander Plas also led the Bobcats with 17 points, and Jason Preston chipping in 11 points and 13 rebounds. In the end, Ohio squeezed past Virginia 62-58.

7. #14 Wildcats Shock #3 Longhorns

Winning 12 of their last 13 games, owning one of the nation’s best scoring defenses, and leading the country in turnover margin, it’s baffling how Abilene Christian wasn’t awarded higher odds of winning. The team also possessed significant size upfront and feisty guards in the backcourt. However, when the Wildcats get outrebounded in a game, they have a major chance of losing, a strength that the Texas Longhorns owned coming in this game. Texas led the Big 12 in rebounds per game and were also in their groove offensively. How did the Wildcats win the game while shooting 29% from the field and 16% from three? Rebounding. Texas was outrebounded 36-31 and were forced into a season-high 23 turnovers. The Wildcats committed 11. Work still needed to be done, as Andrew Jones hit a three with 16 seconds left to give the Longhorns a one-point lead. However, Matt Coleman III’s foul sent Joe Pleasant to the line with two seconds left. Pleasant hit both free throws, and the Wildcats won 53-52. How did the first and biggest win in school history end? A last-second steal, something this team has been doing all year long.

6. #7 Ducks Take Down #2 Hawkeyes

Before this matchup took place, Oregon was well rested (10 days), was number one in field goal percentage in the Pac-12, and underrated defensively. Could rustiness play a factor? The team also owned a well-balanced offensive unit. However, the Ducks would have no paint presence that would match up well with Iowa’s Luka Garza, who scored 36 points in that game. Add that the Hawkeyes also had a high-powered offensive attack of their own and an improving defense; Oregon would have its hands full. However, not only would the Ducks win, they would dominate the Hawkeyes in every department of the game. Oregon shot better from the field, assisted more, had more blocked shots, and committed fewer turnovers in a 95-80 win. Chris Duarte also led the team with 23 points.

5. #Loyola Chicago Dominates #1 Illinois

The Ramblers showed just how important defense is compared to a high-powered offense in a 71-58 win over #1 Illinois. On the other hand, the Illini came into this game as a balanced team and have scored fewer than 70 just four times this season. The task would be challenging, but the Ramblers would hold the Illini to 44% from the field in addition to 28% from three. They would also force 17 turnovers and outrebound Illinois. It proved to be a tough night for the Illini. The team seemed to be out of sync offensively throughout the game. Loyola Chicago will do that to you. Cameron Krutwig led the way with a double-double, scoring 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds.

4. #13 North Texas Wins a Thriller Against #4 Purdue

One word described the difficulty that North Texas would face in this game. Size. Although the Mean Green were on a nice winning streak, they didn’t possess a ton of length and weren’t shooting well enough over those games. Still, the defense was a force to be reckoned with. Consider the Boilermakers one of the biggest bullies of the tournament, literally. They outwork teams on the glass, are aggressive on the attack, and use their size and athleticism to make up for defensive flaws. This matchup heavily favored them to win, and they were close to losing early. If not for a putback layup by Trevion Williams with 24 seconds to go, Purdue would’ve had an earlier exit. However, the Mean Green would take care of business in overtime, scoring the first 11 points. The Boilermakers went in a drought offensively and lost in overtime, 78-69.

3. #12 Oregon State Fly Past #Tennessee, #4 Oklahoma State, and #8 Loyola Chicago

The Beavers came into this tournament confident, and they played like it. Oregon State lived on the perimeter, as they found their groove both offensively and defensively. They would first face an inconsistent Tennessee side that would pose majors problems if they’re on. They were also number one in the SEC in points allowed per game. The Beavers would dominate the Volunteers and build a lead as large as 20 throughout the game and win 70-56. Roman Silva went perfect from the field, scoring 16 points on 8/8 shooting. This was a similar story in the Oklahoma State game, where the Beavers built an early double-digit lead before halftime. Oregon State crushed the rebounding department, 52-32, and Ethan Thompson scored 26 points in the 80-70 win. Now the most demanding task of them all, Sister Jean’s Loyola Chicago. Although the Ramblers owned the best defense in the nation, one could argue that they met their match when they faced Oregon State. The Beavers showed their defensive capabilities, with Loyola shooting just 33% from the field and holding them to under 26% three-point shooting, a trait that has been common in the previous two games against Tennessee and Oklahoma State. Both Oregon State and Loyola Chicago would exchange buckets in the final three minutes. In the end, the Beavers made more clutch baskets to pull through for a 65-58 win, once again led by Ethan Thompson, this time scoring 22 points. 

2. #15 Oral Roberts Destroys Brackets; Beat #2 Ohio State and #7 Florida

No one saw this coming, but the Golden Eagles probably did. So many brackets lost on the opening day, with many picking the Buckeyes to make a run into the Elite 8 and beyond. The Golden Eagles came into the game 16 point underdogs. They’re great at shooting threes, but that’s pretty much it. Ohio State had would it took to keep up with any high-powered offenses and also were fourth in the country for free throw attempts. This was the perfect matchup for the Buckeyes, and I repeat, no one saw this coming! The Buckeyes made only 50% of their free throws and committed 16 turnovers. Still, they managed to have a chance to win the game with a Washington Jr. jumper that was no good. It took 29 and 30 points from Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor to narrowly pull out a 75-72 overtime victory. Every point was needed. The fun would continue, as Oral Roberts would later defeat a Florida side that once again proved as a problematic matchup for the Golden Eagles. They, too, were exceptional from three, and a team would present issues for Oral Roberts in rebounding. Abmas and Obanor carried the offensive load again, scoring 26 and 28 points. This would prove to test the grit and will of the Golden Eagles, as they were down by 11 in the second half early. However, after making a run late, DeShang Weaver the biggest shot of the game for Oral Roberts to put the team up by two with 2:10 left to play. A couple of defensive stops led to an 81-78 victory. The Golden Eagles would eventually lose a close one to Arkansas, but no one will ever forget their magnificent performances prior. 

1. #11 ULCA Has Dream Run Against #6 BYU, #14 Abil Christian, #Alabama, and #1 Michigan

From the first four to the final four. After defeating Michigan State in a crazy overtime game, UCLA embarked on what would become a cinderella story. This was one of the few teams to enter the tournament on a bad streak of games and somehow play as if it’s been on fire all year long. It all started against the BYU Cougars, a team built on size and defense. It was rumored Johnny Juzang might not play the game, which would’ve been a big blow to the Bruins. Juzang ended up scoring 27 points, with Jules Bernard adding 16. The Bruins defeated the Cougars 73-62 in a game that saw total control from UCLA. After blowing out Abilene Christian 67-47, the Bruins would face a tough test against one of the country’s best three and D teams. Alabama takes a bunch, and they make a bunch as well. However, in this game, the Crimson Tide only shot 25% from the arc, well below their average. UCLA seemed to have won in a close affair until Alex Reese saved Alabama season with a last-second three to send the game to overtime. Over time, a well-balanced offensive effort saw the Bruins win 88-78, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. leading the effort with 17. The #1 Michigan Wolverines were the next test, a team that defended well in all aspects of the game and one of the more well-coached teams in the tournament. Once again, UCLA rose to the challenge, as they have done throughout their matches. Their leader, Johnny Juzang, showed toughness, this time scoring 28 points in what was a very tight affair. The Bruins ended up getting their much-needed stops down the line, along with a bit of luck from Franz Wagner, who missed the go-ahead bucket with 12 seconds remaining. A 51-49 win was secured, as well as a trip to the Final Four. The Bruins would lose to the nation’s best team at the time, the Gonzaga Bulldogs. A last season three from Jalen Suggs broke the hearts of loyal fanbase. Make no mistake, what UCLA was able to accomplish is the definition of how an underdog performs. This is why March Madness was created for moments and performances like these.