Lets rewind back 40 years to 1985, when the tournament expanded to 64 teams and saw Villanova causing an upset against Georgetown, preventing a back-to-back title. Villanova got a remarkable nearly 79 percent shooting rate, a feat unlikely to occur in subsequent title games given that was the last NCAA tourney without a shot clock.

Here are the 10 most surprising moments of the grand dance over the past 40 years:

UNLV’s Disappointing Repeat

Following a victory against Arkansas, the defending champions from Nevada-Las Vegas seemed invincible in the 1990-91 season. However, they met a confident Duke team in the national semifinals, whom they had convincingly defeated the previous year in the 1990 title clash. Duke staged the most significant modern-era upset in the tournament’s history, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of one-off matchups.

Duke showcased considerable improvement from the previous year, while it’s possible UNLV’s actual strength was overestimated. The Rebels lacked a reliable substitute for Greg Anthony (who fouled out against Duke) and their depth suffered without Ed O’Bannon, who chose UCLA over UNLV and missed his freshman season due to an ACL injury.

Intense Anti-Duke Sentiment Emerges

After defeating UNLV in 1991 and clinching another title in 1992 against Michigan’s FAB 5, Christian Laettner of Duke, the first player to feature in four Final Fours, became the most detested figure in NCAA history. The animosity towards Duke escalated post Laettner’s shift to the NBA following the 1991-92 season.

Duke drew substantial dislike due to their success and the perceived favoritism from referees. The pinnacle of this anti-Duke sentiment occurred in 2000-2001, during Duke’s victories over Maryland in the semifinals and Arizona in the championship at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The neutral crowd heavily protested calls against Maryland, with noticeable discrepancies including non-calls against point guard Jason Gardner that detrimentally impacted Arizona in the final. The fervor subdued thereafter, occasionally resurfacing, but if the situation worsened post-2001, it could have adversely affected March Madness fans.

Chris Webber’s Critical Timeout

In the 1992 NCAA title match against Duke, Michigan’s FAB 5 didn’t perform exceptionally as freshmen, but they significantly improved in the 1992-93 season. The championship bout versus North Carolina at the Louisiana Superdome saw Michigan trailing by one with under 40 seconds left when Webber, Michigan’s star player, scored on an offensive rebound to cut the deficit.

After North Carolina’s Pat Sullivan missed a free throw, Michigan, out of timeouts, witnessed Webber committing a critical traveling violation near the Carolina bench. Panicking, Webber initiated a timeout, which his team didn’t possess. It served as a heartbreaking moment for him, FAB 5 admirers, and aspiring basketball players inspired by the trailblazing team.

Despite the significant influence of the Michigan squad, their consecutive championship appearances were later expunged by the NCAA. This timeout remains a poignant reminder of FAB 5’s inability to secure a national or Big Ten title.

Tyus Edney’s Impressive Run

Recall when Ed O’Bannon, the nation’s top recruit in 1990, missed his freshman year at UCLA? This made him eligible for the 1994-95 season as a redshirt senior, where he showcased his prowess. After UCLA’s upset by Tulsa in the 1994 tournament, O’Bannon returned for redemption in his senior year.

UCLA found themselves trailing Missouri by a single point in the second round when senior point guard Tyus Edney executed a breathtaking full-court run in 4.8 seconds, culminating in a crucial lay-up to secure a 75-74 triumph over Missouri. This moment etched itself in fans’ memories, signifying UCLA’s destined journey and hinting at an imminent championship.

The Bruins indeed triumphed against defending champions Arkansas, with O’Bannon leading the charge to an 89-78 victory. Interestingly, Edney missed the title game due to a wrist injury, making it UCLA’s sole NCAA title in the past five decades.

Bill Self’s Unlikely Victory

Kansas’ triumph in the 2022 NCAA championship against North Carolina, with a score of 72-69, marked a significant milestone for Blue Blood basketball and their head coach. Remember, Kansas’ program was embroiled in the 2017-18 basketball corruption scandal alongside several schools affiliated with sportswear behemoth Adidas and others.

Despite the FBI’s involvement and the arrest of ten individuals linked to the sport, including four prominent assistant coaches, Self managed to retain his position. This victory underscored that no individual is indispensable in the sport and portrayed how strictly numerous NCAA regulations are enforced.

The prevailing public sentiment towards these ten implicated individuals suggested disapproval of federal charges, despite consensus regarding some reprimand for violating NCAA regulations (albeit not necessarily legal transgressions).

Kansas’ triumph shed light on two key outcomes stemming from the corruption scandal: Firstly, the FBI and media lacked unequivocal evidence that could have spurred public concern about covert activities, and secondly, the general public displayed indifference towards compensating basketball players for their talents or potential Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) value.

Bo Ryan Stuns Big Blue Nation

In the 2014-15 season, Kentucky entered the Final Four boasting a flawless 38-0 record, featuring a star-studded roster inclusive of McDonald’s All-Americans and top-tier recruits like freshman Karl-Anthony-Townes. On the contrary, Wisconsin, led by Sam Dekker, was not expected to overthrow the Wildcats.

Nevertheless, Bo Ryan’s squad pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating the Wildcats 71-64 and terminating their season at 38-1. This record-equalling feat of 38 wins ties with the 2012 Kentucky team for the most victories in men’s DI history. Subsequently, Duke clinched the fifth and final title of the Mike Krzyzewski era against Wisconsin, highlighting the unpredictability of possessing a star-studded lineup or having the best recruiting classes.