Has a Mid-Major Ever Won the NCAA Tournament?

The UNLV Rebels were a juggernaut in the early 1990s.
(AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

The best example of a mid-major team winning the NCAA Tournament is when UNLV clobbered Duke, 103-73, in the 1990 national championship game.

At the time, UNLV was part of the Big West conference.ย So yes, mid-major teams do occasionally emerge from March Madness as successful NCAA Basketball champions.ย 

Keep that in mind the next time youโ€™re checking out NCAA basketball championship odds, March Madness fans.ย 

UNLV’s 1989-90 championship was part of the Rebelsโ€™ legendary 45-game winning streak, which is the longest and most impressive of any men’s college basketball team across the last 40 years.ย 

Before UNLV’s run, the most recent non-power champion was Marquette in 1977, which was independent at the time and not yet part of the Big East.ย 

Prior to 1960, all kinds of random teams won the national championship, including La Salle, Oklahoma A&M, San Francisco and the City College of New York.

College Basketball Futures Betting

College basketball futures are always available at BetMGM!

From the offseason through the postseason, you can view markets for national champion, conference champions, awards, and more. It’s a unique way to maintain your excitement throughout the year.

Visit the sportsbook today for all available online sports betting opportunities!

If you don’t have an account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome offer. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos.

Split First Bet Offer FBO March Matchups 1080x610
About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.