NC State is two wins away from making March Madness history.
Part of what makes the NCAA Tournament so special is teams come out of nowhere to make Cinderella-like runs, capturing the hearts of America in the process. In 2024, that has been the No. 11 seed Wolfpack, led by the entertaining and incredibly talented DJ Burns Jr.
Less than a month ago, NC State was a successful free throw away from being knocked out of the ACC Tournament in the semifinals by Virginia. But fate has a funny way of working out, as the Cavaliers missed the chance to close out the game in the final seconds, leading to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for the Wolfpack to send the game to OT. NC State went on to win, and then took out North Carolina in the conference championship, punching its ticket to the dance.
Kevin Keatts' crew hasn't shown any signs of slowing down in March Madness. The five-game winning streak entering the NCAA Tournament has since extended to nine, with NC State reaching the Final Four for the first time in program history since 1983.
With the topic of lower seeds participating in the Final Four, who is the lowest seed to win March Madness? The Sporting News has the answer.
MORE: Last time NC State made the Final Four: Revisiting Wolfpack's 1983 Cinderella run with Jim Valvano
Who is the lowest seed to win March Madness?
The lowest seed ever to win a national championship in men's basketball is No. 8 seed Villanova in 1985.
It was the first season that the NCAA Tournament was expanded to 64 teams. The Wildcats knocked off No. 9 seed Dayton, No. 1 seed Michigan, No. 5 seed Maryland, No. 2 seed North Carolina, No. 2 seed Memphis State and No. 1 seed Georgetown en route to the win.
As a No. 8 seed, Villanova is also tied for the lowest seed to ever reach the national championship. There are three other No. 8 seeds to reach the title game, but all fell short: North Carolina (2022), Kentucky (2014) and Butler (2011).
If NC State were to win it all in 2024, the Wolfpack would become the lowest seed ever to earn the national title.
Lowest seeds to reach the Final Four
NC State is the seventh double-digit seed to reach the Final Four of the men's NCAA Tournament.
It is the sixth No. 11 seed to reach the stage, joining UCLA (2021), Loyola Chicago (2018), VCU (2011), George Mason (2006) and LSU (1986). The other program was No. 10 seed Syracuse in 2016. However, none of those squads advanced to the championship.
MORE: Has NC State ever won a championship in basketball?
If NC State gets by No. 1 seed Purdue in the national semifinal, it would become the first-ever double-digit seed to reach the national championship.
| Year | Team | Final Four Loss |
| 1986 | No. 11 seed LSU | 88-77 vs. No. 2 Louisville |
| 2006 | No. 11 seed George Mason | 73-58 vs. No. 3 Florida |
| 2011 | No. 11 seed VCU | 70-62 vs. No. 8 Butler |
| 2018 | No. 11 seed Loyola Chicago | 69-57 vs. No. 3 Michigan |
| 2021 | No. 11 seed UCLA | 93-90 vs. No. 1 Gonzaga |
| 2024 | No. 11 seed NC State | TBD |
