Underdogs in the 2018 NCAA tournament provide lessons for all
March Madness, the highest grossing event in all of college basketball, has been going on since 1939. But the 79-year-old basketball tournament is different this year. Various upsets have occurred in this tournament, leading to much excitement among fans of these lesser-known basketball programs and disappointment among the higher seeds. Disappointment has been a common theme among the larger teams of this tournament, with multiple large teams losing. Some large teams that have joined the circle of disappointment include Arizona, Wichita State, and even a powerhouse, Virginia. All of these teams ended up losing out in the first round to lesser-known underdogs like Buffalo, Marshall, and UMBC.
There are many teams who have busted the brackets of fans and supporters, including the previously mentioned UMBC. Although UMBC was already eliminated from the tournament, they left behind a legacy that will last for years to come. By being the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed, they have cemented themselves in tournament history and will be remembered as a hero to smaller programs everywhere.
Although UMBC is one of the most memorable, there are other teams who have persevered despite the odds. Take Loyola Chicago, for example. As an 11 seed, they managed to win the first round, against Miami; the second round, against Tennessee; and the third round, against Nevada. They then entered the Final Four by defeating Kansas St. As the only underdog left in the tournament, I hope they will be able to continue their winning streak all the way the championship game.
Kansas St, another team who has beaten the odds, has not had an easy path either. Their first game was against Creighton, a similarly ranked team. Then, they had to face the heroes of the moment, UMBC. After defeating UMBC in a close game, they advanced on to the next round, only to face their toughest opponents yet, Kentucky. As a Kentucky fan myself, I must admit, I was excited when I heard we were facing off against a 9 seed. I considered us lucky to be facing such a team, but Kansas St proved me and countless other Kentucky fans wrong. But after beating Kentucky, they were unable to win against Loyola Chicago.
Another 9 seed, Florida St, has also overcome the odds and taken their place in the Elite Eight, and the path they have taken was anything but easy. After beating Missouri in the round of 64, everyone thought Florida would be knocked out of the tournament by Xavier, a 1 seed. But through their persistence, the Florida team beat Xavier by 5 points. Although it may not be the same as a 16 seed beating a 1 seed, this was no small victory for the Florida St Seminoles. Then, in the sweet sixteen, they defeated Gonzaga to secure their spot in the elite eight, where they will play Michigan. Unfortunately, Florida’s streak was ended when they played Michigan in the Elite Eight. They put up a fight though, keeping the game within 4 points.
Although there is only one underdog left in the tournament, there are many underdog teams whose winning streaks came to an abrupt halt. Just look at Syracuse; they made it to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Duke. They managed to beat 2 highly qualified teams, TCU and Michigan St, with 2 very close games. Syracuse only beat TCU by 5 and Michigan St by 2. Even when they lost, it wasn’t an easy game for Duke; the difference in score was only 4.
There were so many upsets in the 2018 tournament, and there are lessons to be learned from these team who have defeated the odds. Not a single one of these teams gave up. They persevered through many obstacles, like public opinion. UMBC serves a perfect example of such a team. Even though their chances were next to none. Even though there had never been a single 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed. They didn’t let that stop them. Every single player on that team put his heart and soul into beating Virginia, and they succeeded. UMBC should be used as a role model for any smaller college basketball program. Their win over Virginia teaches everyone a valuable lesson: just because your chances are next to none, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your best. Who knows? Maybe you might succeed.
And for those of you whose teams have been eliminated from the tournament, let the underdog carry your team’s torch. In the upcoming games, I will be rooting for Loyola Chicago in the Final Four. Because, to be honest, I like to root for the underdog.