Every year, March Madness provides us with upsets on the first few days. However, those teams usually run out of steam and end up fizzling out in the next few rounds, due to inferior size and talent that big-time programs possess. But every few years, thanks to the magic of March, some teams ride that momentum from a first-round upset all the way to the Final Four.

The best Final Four runs in history

Villanova (1985): The 8th seeded Wildcats sneaked past Dayton by two in the opening round before upsetting top seed Michigan by four. Nova' then survived Maryland by three in the Sweet 16 before dismantled second-seeded UNC to reach the Final Four.

The Wildcats would go on to beat Memphis State and Georgetown to claim their first championship. The 8th seed coached by Rollie Massimino defeated Georgetown led by John Thompson.

Butler (2011): The Bulldogs' Final Four run to Houston made the list due to they survived Old Dominion in thrilling fashion, then shocked the world and #1 seed Pittsburgh on a buzzer-beater by Matt Howard. Butler would go on to dismantle Wisconsin before surviving the Florida Gators to reach the Final Four. The Bulldogs advanced to the title game by outlasting VCU, ultimately falling to Connecticut and the Kemba Walker Show in the National Championship.

It was Butler's 2nd Final Four appearance, who lost to Duke in the title game the previous year.

VCU (2011) After no one thought they were deserving of a tourney bid, the Rams of VCU quickly silenced many of their critics by going from the First Four all the way to the Final Four. They beat the likes of USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State, and then mighty Kansas.

VCU would eventually fall to the Butler Bulldogs in the Final Four.

George Mason (2006): The Patriot began their Final Four run by knocking off blue-blood programs in 6th seed Michigan State and 3 seed North Carolina in the first 2 rounds. They then beat Wichita State in the Sweet 16 before shocking the nation by beating #1 seed Connecticut to go to the Final Four.

George Mason was then routed by eventual champion Florida.

Loyola-Chicago (2018): The Ramblers won their first three tournament games by a combined four points. A first-round buzzer-beater against Miami, a last-second shot by Custer thanks to a miraculous bounce, followed by surviving Nevada by one point in the Sweet 16. Loyola would go on to blow out Kansas State, who upset Kentucky in the Sweet 16, by 20 points in the Elite 8 to reach their second Final Four.

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