12 of the Most Memorable Cinderella Teams Who Have Competed in March Madness Christopher RudolphFri, March 20, 2026 at 1:10 PM UTC 0 North Carolina State's coach Jim Valvano in 1983. ; Stephen Curry 30 of the Davidson Wildcats in 2008. ; DJ Burns Jr. 30 of the NC State Wolfpack in 2024Credit: Bettmann; Gregory Shamus/Getty; Lance King/Getty A March Madness Cinderella story is when an underdog team goes on to become a dominant force during the NCAA Tournament There have numerous Cinderella stories, with a select few leading to unforgettable historymaking showdowns NC State has made waves during...
12 of the Most Memorable Cinderella Teams Who Have Competed in March Madness
Christopher RudolphFri, March 20, 2026 at 1:10 PM UTC
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North Carolina State's coach Jim Valvano in 1983. ; Stephen Curry #30 of the Davidson Wildcats in 2008. ; DJ Burns Jr. #30 of the NC State Wolfpack in 2024Credit: Bettmann; Gregory Shamus/Getty; Lance King/Getty -
A March Madness Cinderella story is when an underdog team goes on to become a dominant force during the NCAA Tournament
There have numerous Cinderella stories, with a select few leading to unforgettable history-making showdowns
NC State has made waves during March Madness, both in 1983 and 2024
During March Madness, Cinderella trades the castle ballroom for the basketball court.
Cinderella stories are an an exciting part of the annual NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship and there are several bracket busters over the years that fans haven't forgotten about.
A March Madness Cinderella story is when an overlooked team is considered an underdog after Selection Sunday, but then exceed expectations during the NCAA tournament, enchanting basketball fans with their surprising rags-to-riches narrative.
Here's a look at 12 of the most memorable Cinderella stories from March Madness history.
01 of 11
1983: NC State
Akeem Olajuwon #35 of the Houston Cougars plays against the North Carolina State Wolfpack on November 19, 1983 in Raleigh, North CarolinaCredit: Ronald C. Modra/Getty
After winning three ACC tournament games in a row, North Carolina State was able to claim a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Led by head coach Jim Valvano, the NC State Wolfpack made it all the way to the final, where they were up against the University of Houston's Cougars.
There were only seconds left in the game and both teams were tied at 52-52 when NC State's Dereck Whittenburg launched a shot 30 feet from the basket. Lorenzo Charles then caught and dunked it with the buzzer, scoring a victory for the team.
NC State's 1983 tournament story was the basis for a 2013 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, Survive and Advance.
02 of 11
2006: George Mason
The George Mason Patriots celebrate their overtime victory over the Connecticut Huskies during the Regional Finals of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 26, 2006 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.CCredit: Win McNamee/Getty
The George Mason Patriots ended their regular season in a defeat against the Hofstra Pride, but went on to stunning victories during the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
The Patriots defeated the Michigan State Spartans, the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Wichita State Shockers and the UConn Huskies. The George Mason team would finish in the Final Four, ultimately losing to the Florida Gators.
03 of 11
2008 Davidson
Bryant Barr #24, Stephen Curry #30 and Thomas Sander #15 of the Davidson Wildcats celebrate after defeating the Georgetown Hoyas 74-40 during the 2nd round of the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at RBC Center March 23, 2008 in Raleigh, North CarolinaCredit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty
In 2008, the Davidson Wildcats earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament after a 22-game winning streak.
Led By Stephen Curry, the Wildcats won games against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, the Georgetown Hoyas and the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wildcats eventually made it to the Elite Eight, but lost out to the Kansas Jayhawks.
"We made history for our school," Curry said, according to ESPN.
04 of 11
2010 and 2011: Butler
Darius Theus #10 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams playing against Khyle Marshall #23 and Andrew Smith #44 of the Butler Bulldogs during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in Houston, TexasCredit: Andy Lyons/Getty
The Butler Bulldogs came close to clinching the national title in 2010. In their final matchup, they went up against Duke Blue Devils, who beat them 61-59.
While the Bulldogs' ended their season with a tough finish, they repeated their Cinderella story the following year.
In 2011, Butler returned to the tournament as a No. 8 seed team. They were later defeated by No. 3 seed UConn with a final score of 53–41.
05 of 11
2011: VCU
Butler University plays against Virginia Commonwealth University during the semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball championships in Houston, TX.Credit: Rich Clarkson/NCAA Photos via Getty
In 2011, VCU played in the First Four, making it all the way to the Final Four.
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In a Cinderella vs. Cinderella matchup, VCU faced Butler. The Bulldogs ultimately won 70–62.
06 of 11
2013: Florida Gulf
Sherwood Brown #25 of the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles playing against the Florida Gators during the South Regional Semifinal round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 29, 2013 in Arlington, TexasCredit: Ronald Martinez/Getty
Florida Gulf Coast became the first No. 15 seed team to make it into the Sweet 16.
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, known as "Dunk City," beat Georgetown and San Diego State in shocking defeats. The Eagles eventually lost to the Florida Gators.
07 of 11
2018: Loyola Chicago
Donte Ingram #0 of the Loyola Ramblers celebrates after his game-winning three pointer against the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, TexasCredit: Tom Pennington/Getty
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers made it all the way to the Final Four, losing to the Michigan Wolverines.
The Ramblers players were stars on the court, but their 98-year-old team chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, became a national icon during their tournament run.
Sister Jean was able to see the Ramblers return to the tournament in 2021, before her death in 2025 at age 106, per ESPN.
08 of 11
2021: Oral Roberts
Oral Roberts University players celebrate their win against Ohio State University in overtime of the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament held at Mackey Arena on March 19, 2021 in West Lafayette, IndianaCredit: Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos via Getty
In 2021, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles was the second No. 15 seed team to reach the Sweet 16 — the first was Florida Gulf Coast in 2013.
Oral Roberts were defeated by No. 3 seed Arkansas Razorbacks in a game that ended with a final score of 72-70.
09 of 11
2022: Saint Peter's
Jaylen Murray #32 and Latrell Reid #0 of the St. Peter's Peacocks celebrate after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 67-64 in the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaCredit: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty
The Saint Peter's Peacocks defeated the Kentucky Wildcats, the Murray State Racers and the Purdue Boilermakers.
Saint Peter's reached the Elite Eight, becoming the first No. 15 seed to do so. They eventually lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
10 of 11
2023: Fairleigh Dickinson
Joe Munden Jr. #1 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights reacts in the second half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 17, 2023 in Columbus, OhioCredit: Andy Lyons/Getty
In 2023, the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights pulled off a shocking upset, defeating Purdue, a No. 1 seed.
Ultimately, Fairleigh Dickinson lost out to the Florida Atlantic Owls, 78-70.
"The average fan wants to see a 16 (seed) beat a 1 and a 15 beat a 2," said then-Knights coach Tobin Anderson, per The Athletic. "That's what the beauty of the NCAA Tournament is."
11 of 11
2024: NC State
Mohamed Diarra #23 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates after winning the Championship Game of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament 84-76 against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C.Credit: Greg Fiume/Getty
More than 40 years since their first Cinderella story, NC State embarked on another run in 2024.
That year's NCAA Tournament saw the Wolfpack win four games, which propelled them to the men's Final Four for the first time since 1983, according to ESPN.
They later lost to Purdue, with a final score of 50-63.
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Published: March 20, 2026 at 09:28AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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