These taking note of March Insanity — actually paying consideration — have seen a pattern in recent times.
Within the first 30 years of the fashionable event period (1985-2014), at the very least one 12-seed gained a first-round recreation in all however three years (1988, 2000 and 2007). No. 12 seeds not solely gained extra first-round video games than No. 11 seeds (44 to 41) throughout that span, in addition they superior to the Candy 16 extra typically (20 to 17).
That is why for years, the go-to upset for these filling out brackets has concerned a No. 12 beating a No. 5 within the first spherical, and possibly even successful once more within the second spherical … and understandably so.
Solely seeds 1 via 6 and the No. 10s reached the Candy 16 extra typically than No. 12s in that three-decade stretch. That made it properly price selecting at the very least one 12-seed to win a recreation or two.
It is not a positive factor anymore, although. Current information suggests it could be time to shift your consideration up a seed line as a substitute.
The downfall of the 12
After failing to win a first-round recreation simply thrice in 30 years, No. 12 seeds have been shut out in three of the previous eight tourneys.