Lowest seeds to make Final Four: Florida Atlantic second 9 seed to make March Madness national semifinals
Florida Atlantic has added another element of madness to one of the most tumultuous NCAA tournaments in history.
With their 79-76 win over Markquis Nowell and Kansas State in the Elite Eight on Saturday, the Owls became only the 13th team ranked eighth or lower to advance to the Finals in the extended bracket era that began in 1985 Four managed. Four starters recorded double-digit points in the win, including a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double from Vladislav Golden.
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Still, it took a tremendous defensive effort to keep Nowell – who had 30 points and 12 assists – from getting the Wildcats past the Owls. FAU did that with defensive possession that led to a disappointing conclusion:
What was disappointing for March Madness fans was historic for FAU, which is now experiencing the largest single run of an NCAA tournament in program history — and one of the largest runs in Conference USA history.
The Sporting News looks at the lowest-seeded – and C-USA – teams looking to advance to the Final Four and national championship game:
Lowest seeds to reach the Final Four
The Owls are among the lowest-seeded teams to make the Final Four — but don’t The lowest ranked team. In fact, six double-seeded players made it into the Final Four, including five 11-seeded players.
Florida Atlantic is only the second nine-man team to make the Final Four, following Wichita State in 2013. The Owls and Shockers are tied for the seventh-lowest-ranked team in the Final Four.
| seed | team | bottom line |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Villanova (1985) | National Championship (66-64 v Georgetown) |
| North Carolina (2000) | Final Four loss (71-59 vs. Florida) | |
| Wisconsin (2000) | Final Four loss (53-41 to Michigan State) | |
| Butler (2011) | Loss of National Championship (53-41 vs. UConn) | |
| Kentucky (2014) | National championship loss (60-54 vs. UConn) | |
| 9 | State of Wichita (2013) | Final Four loss (72-68 vs. Louisville) |
| Florida Atlantic (2023) | last four | |
| 10 | Syracuse (2016) | Final Four loss (83-66 to North Carolina) |
| 11 | LSU (1986) | Final Four loss (88-77 vs. Louisville) |
| George Mason (2006) | Final Four loss (73-58 vs. Florida) | |
| VKU (2011)* | Final Four loss (70-62 to Butler) | |
| Loyola Chicago (2018) | Final Four loss (69-57 vs. Michigan) | |
| UCLA (2021)* | Final Four loss (93-90 to Gonzaga in overtime) |
* First Four Team
MORE: C-USA teams in Elite Eight: Florida Atlantic joins elite NCAA tournament companies
Has a Conference USA team ever made the Final Four?
FAU may have made programming history, but they’re not the first conference team to reach this stage – just the lowest seeded.
Marquette in 2003, Louisville in 2005, and Memphis in 2008 have all made the Final Four, with only the Tigers advancing past the national semifinals into national championship play. However, the Golden Eagles, Cardinals and Tigers all reached this level as 3 seeds or higher.
| seed | team | end result |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Marquette | Final Four loss (94-61 loss to Kansas) |
| 4 | Louisville | Final Four loss (72-57 loss to Illinois) |
| 1 | memphis | National championship loss (75-68 OT loss to Kansas) |
MORE: FAU vs. Kansas State score, updates, highlights
Lowest seeds to reach NCAA tournament championship
The 12 teams ahead of FAU that made it to the Final Four with an 8 or lower went on to win 3-9 in the domestic semifinals. Each of the Final Four winners – Villanova 1985, Butler 2011 and Kentucky 2014 – were all 8 seeds.
That means if the Owls win their Final Four match against the winner of 5-seeded San Diego State versus 6-seeded Creighton, they will become the lowest-ranked team to ever play the national championship game.
Lowest seeds to win NCAA tournament
FAU is also in position to be the lowest seed to ever win the NCAA tournament – a streak unbroken since the advent of the extended bracket in 1985 when 8-seeded Villanova defeated Georgetown in the national title game at 66 :64 defeated.
Butler and Kentucky lost to UConn in their respective national title games, losing 53-41 and 60-54 to the Huskies, respectively.