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Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of how far each seed has advanced in the NCAA Tournament. We are focusing on the modern era—specifically since the tourney expanded to 64 teams in 1985—to see if we can find value in the current odds to win March Madness.
Look at the Farthest Each of the Top Seeds Has Gone in the NCAA Tournament
#1 A No. 1 seed has reached the National Championship game 32 times since 1985, with 26 of those teams going on to win the title. The most recent No. 1 to cut down the nets was Florida in 2025.
#2 No. 2 seeds haven’t fared nearly as well as the top seeds. They have reached the title game 13 times since 1985 but have taken home the trophy just five times. The last No. 2 seed to win the tournament was Villanova in 2016.
#3 Since 1985, No. 3 seeds have made 11 title game appearances, posting a 4-7 record in those contests. Texas Tech was the last to appear (falling to Virginia in 2019), while UConn was the most recent No. 3 seed to win the title in 2011.
#4 A No. 4 seed has won the NCAA Tournament just twice: Arizona in 1997 and UConn in 2023. Two other No. 4 seeds reached the final but lost: Michigan in 2013 and Syracuse in 1996.
#5 If your favorite team is a No. 5 seed, history is not on their side. A No. 5 seed has never won the championship; the farthest they have gone is the runner-up position, which has happened four times (Florida in 2000, Indiana in 2002, Butler in 2010, and San Diego State in 2023).
#6 Since the tournament expanded in 1985, just two No. 6 seeds have made the championship round. The Kansas Jayhawks won it all in 1988, while the Michigan Wolverines lost the title game in 1992.
#7 The UConn Huskies famously won the 2014 NCAA Tournament over No. 8 seed Kentucky, marking the only time a No. 7 seed has appeared in the championship game.
#8 No. 8 seeds are 1-3 in National Championship games. The only victory came in 1985, when Villanova shocked No. 1 seed Georgetown in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
History of Lower Seeds & How Far They Advance in March Madness
#9 The furthest a No. 9 seed has advanced is the Final Four. This has occurred twice: Wichita State in 2013 and Florida Atlantic in 2023.
#10 The deepest run for a 10-seed is the Final Four, achieved only by Syracuse in 2016. While they frequently reach the second weekend—most recently Arkansas in 2025—No. 10 seeds are just 1-8 all-time in the Elite Eight.
#11 Six No. 11 seeds have reached the Final Four: LSU (1986), George Mason (2006), VCU (2011), Loyola-Chicago (2018), UCLA (2021), and NC State (2024).
#12 Only two No. 12 seeds have advanced to the Elite Eight: Missouri in 2002 and Oregon State in 2021. Despite being “upset specialists,” a 12-seed has yet to break into the Final Four.
#13 A total of six No. 13 seeds have made the Sweet 16. Creighton (2021) is the most recent team to join this exclusive group.
#14 On only two occasions has a No. 14 seed reached the Sweet 16: Cleveland State in 1986 and Chattanooga in 1997.
#15 In 2022, Saint Peter’s made history as the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight, knocking off No. 2 Kentucky and No. 3 Purdue before falling to North Carolina.
#16 For decades, a No. 16 seed had never beaten a No. 1. That changed in 2018 when UMBC stunned Virginia 74-54. The improbable happened again in 2023 when FDU shocked No. 1 Purdue. While neither advanced past the second round, the gap between the top and bottom seeds is clearly narrowing.
Watch History: The 2025 National Championship
Want More Information on Seeds?
- Win Percentages by Seed
- Lowest Seed to Reach the Final Four
- Performance of Top-Seeded Mid-Majors
- ATS Records By Seed
- Tournament Trends Based on History
- Bracket Tips & Tricks to Help You Win
