#16 Harvard vs #1 Stanford
The first time a #16-seeded team beat a #1 seed in an NCAA basketball tournament was in the women's tournament. It was in 1998 when the Harvard Crimson defeated the Stanford Cardinal. This win is still the only time that a 16 winning over a 1 upset was accomplished in women's college basketball. It wasn't until 20 years later that another 16-seed beat a 1-seed when UMBC beat Virginia in the men's tourney.
Social Media
A great day in Harvard history š°š
— Harvard Women's Basketball (@HarvardWBB) March 14, 2023
2ļøā£5ļøā£ years ago to this day, No. 16 Harvard upset No. 1 Stanford in the NCAA Tournament 71-67, the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed in tournament history! #GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/qeREO3O7Eh
Quotes
Iām pretty sure we felt disrespected. But without that 16 seed we probably wouldnāt be having this conversation now, honestly. So in hindsight, it was worth it.
Allison Feaster
References
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No. 16 seed taking down No. 1 seeds, Harvard women's basketball did it first
Before there was Fairleigh Dickinson University or the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, there was Harvard womenās basketball. In 1998, Harvard took down No. 1 seed Stanford to become the first-ever No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
USA Today
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NCAA Video Vault: Reliving the first-ever 16-over-1 upset, when the Harvard women toppled Stanford
In the end that historic March, one thing seemed clear: Nobody saw the Harvard women coming. Here they were, 22-4, led by the nationās leading scorer in Allison Feaster and her 28.5 points per game. But when the bracket for the 1998 NCAA tournament came out, all that was only good enough for . . . a No. 16 seed? Fine season ladies, now hop on a plane and fly 3,000 miles to play mighty Stanford on the Cardinalās home court.
NCAA
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Oral history: Harvard stuns Stanford
A week before the NCAA tournament opener, Stanford was positioned as one of the best teams in the country, after three straight trips to the Final Four. Seven days later, the Cardinal became the first and only No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16, with a 71-67 defeat against Harvard.
ESPN
