UPDATE: Cinderella is alive and well in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. No. 15 Oral Roberts beat No. 7 Florida 81-78 to advance to the Sweet 16. They are only the second No. 15 to ever advance to the second weekend, joining the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 and lost to Florida in that round.
The 2021 NCAA Tournament has its first upset of March. The No. 15 Oral Roberts Golden Eagles shocked the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday to advance to the Round of 32. The Golden Eagles won in overtime by a final score of 75-72 and will face No. 7 Florida on Sunday.
This is the ninth time a No. 15 seed has beaten a No. 2 seed since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. Here is the history of 15 seeds beating the two seed. It’s worth noting that the only No. 15 to advance beyond the second round was Florida Gulf Coast in 2013. After stunning Georgetown, Dunk City knocked off No. 7 San Diego State 81-71. They came up short against intra-state rival Florida, losing 62-50 in the Sweet 16.
1991: Richmond def. Syracuse 73-69
1993: Santa Clara def. Arizona 64-61
1997: Coppin State def. South Carolina 78-65
2001: Hampton def. Iowa State 58-57
2012: Lehigh def. Duke 75-70
2012: Norfolk State def. Missouri 86-84
2013: Florida Gulf Coast def. Georgetown 78-68
2016: Middle Tennessee def. Michigan State 90-81
2021: Oral Roberts def. Ohio State 75-72