We’re just a short time away from the first of two Elite Eight games on Sunday, when No. 11 VCU will look to continue its shocking run and somehow beat No. 1 Kansas. As one would expect, this is a lopsided matchup on paper. The latest NCAA Tournament odds have Kansas favored by 11.5 points.
NCAA Tournament Odds, VCU Vs. Kansas: Can A No. 11 Seed Beat A No. 1 Seed Again?
↵But VCU does have one thing on its side: history. While it is a small sample size, No. 11 seeds have actually had a lot of success against No. 1 seeds in the Elite Eight. An Elite Eight matchup between a No. 11 seed and a No. 1 seed has happened four times since 1985, and the No. 11 seed has won twice.
↵2006: No. 11 seed George Mason 86, No. 1 seed Connecticut 84
2001: No. 1 seed Michigan State 69, No. 11 seed Temple 62
1990: No. 1 seed UNLV 131, No. 11 seed Loyola Marymount 101
1986: No. 11 seed LSU 59, No. 1 seed Kentucky 57
↵One other thing worth noting: when George Mason made the Final Four in 2006, it did so by defeating a No. 6, No. 3 and No. 1 seed along the way. VCU has already beaten a No. 6 and No. 3 seed in its run. Now, all it has to do is top the No. 1 seed, just like its CAA rival did. Piece of cake, right?
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↵↵More 2011 March Madness resources: Visit our NCAA Tournament hub for up-to-date news and information ... updated printable NCAA 2011 Tournament bracket ... the full NCAA Tournament schedule.
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