March Madness Matchups: 2 vs 15 Betting History & Trends

In 10 March Madness brackets between 2002 and 2011, no No. 15 seed had upset a No. 2 seed. But since 2012, it has happened on four occasions, throwing fear into bettors and destroying countless brackets.
The most recent happened in 2016, as little-known Middle Tennessee knocked off No. 2 Michigan State 90-81 as a 16.5-point underdog.
The 15 seed has gone 53-42-1 ATS against the 2 seed since 1996.
But it was Norfolk State that pulled off the biggest 2 vs 15 upset in modern March Madness betting history, taking out Missouri 86-84 as a 21-point underdog in 2012. On the same day, Lehigh defeated Duke 75-70 as an 11-point underdog. Ironically, it was No. 7 seed Florida that ended Norfolk State’s run in the second round with an 84-50 victory as a 14-point favorite. Lehigh fell to No. 10 seed Xavier 70-58 in the second round as a 4-point underdog.
Only four other times in NCAA Tournament history prior to 2012 has there been an upset with a No. 15 seed defeating a No. 2. Richmond was the first to accomplish the feat in 1991 with a 73-69 victory against Syracuse. Steve Nash’s Santa Clara team did it two years later with a 64-61 win over Arizona and then Coppin State posted the largest margin of victory ever for a No. 15 by routing South Carolina 78-65 in 1997. Four years after that, Hampton took out Iowa State by the smallest margin for a No. 15, 58-57.
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Who has the betting edge in the 2 vs 15 matchup?
Backing the lower seed has been the way to go in the No. 2 vs No. 15 matchup as the No. 15 seed has gone 53-42-1 ATS since 1996. Since 2008, however, spread betting in this matchup has been a virtual coin flip with No. 15 having a minuscule 25-22-1 ATS edge.
Seed vs Seed Stats: 1 vs 16 | 2 vs 15 | 3 vs 14 | 4 vs 13 | 5 vs 12 | 6 vs 11 | 7 vs 10 | 8 vs 9
#2 Seed | Score | #15 Seed | Score | Date | ATS Win | Win Seed | ATS Seed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kentucky | 79 | Abilene Christian | 44 | 2019-03-21 | Kentucky | 2 | 2 |
Michigan | 74 | Montana | 55 | 2019-03-21 | Michigan | 2 | 2 |
Tennessee | 77 | Colgate | 70 | 2019-03-22 | Colgate | 2 | 15 |
Michigan State | 76 | Bradley | 65 | 2019-03-21 | Bradley | 2 | 15 |
Duke | 89 | Iona | 67 | 2018-03-15 | Duke | 2 | 2 |
North Carolina | 84 | Lipscomb | 66 | 2018-03-16 | Lipscomb | 2 | 15 |
Purdue | 74 | CS Fullerton | 48 | 2018-03-16 | Purdue | 2 | 2 |
Cincinnati | 68 | Georgia State | 53 | 2018-03-16 | Cincinnati | 2 | 2 |
Duke | 87 | Troy | 65 | 2017-03-17 | Duke | 2 | 2 |
Louisville | 78 | Jacksonville State | 63 | 2017-03-17 | Jacksonville State | 2 | 15 |
Arizona | 100 | North Dakota | 82 | 2017-03-16 | PUSH | 2 | PUSH |
Kentucky | 79 | Northern Kentucky | 70 | 2017-03-17 | Northern Kentucky | 2 | 15 |
Michigan State | 81 | Middle Tennessee | 90 | 2016-03-18 | Middle Tennessee | 15 | 15 |
Oklahoma | 82 | CSU Bakersfield | 68 | 2016-03-18 | CSU Bakersfield | 2 | 15 |
Xavier | 71 | Weber State | 53 | 2016-03-18 | Xavier | 2 | 2 |
Villanova | 86 | UNC Asheville | 56 | 2016-03-18 | Villanova | 2 | 2 |
Kansas | 75 | New Mexico State | 56 | 2015-03-20 | Kansas | 2 | 2 |
Arizona | 93 | Texas Southern | 72 | 2015-03-19 | Texas Southern | 2 | 15 |
Gonzaga | 86 | North Dakota State | 76 | 2015-03-20 | North Dakota State | 2 | 15 |
Virginia | 79 | Belmont | 67 | 2015-03-20 | Belmont | 2 | 15 |
Kansas | 80 | Eastern Kentucky | 69 | 2014-03-21 | Eastern Kentucky | 2 | 15 |
Villanova | 73 | Wisc-Milwaukee | 53 | 2014-03-20 | Villanova | 2 | 2 |
Michigan | 57 | Wofford | 40 | 2014-03-20 | Michigan | 2 | 2 |
Wisconsin | 75 | American | 35 | 2014-03-20 | Wisconsin | 2 | 2 |
Ohio State | 95 | Iona | 70 | 2013-03-22 | Ohio State | 2 | 2 |
Georgetown | 68 | Florida Gulf Coast | 78 | 2013-03-22 | Florida Gulf Coast | 15 | 15 |
Miami | 78 | Pacific | 49 | 2013-03-22 | Miami | 2 | 2 |
Duke | 73 | Albany | 61 | 2013-03-22 | Albany | 2 | 15 |
Kansas | 65 | Detroit | 50 | 2012-03-16 | Kansas | 2 | 2 |
Duke | 70 | Lehigh | 75 | 2012-03-16 | Lehigh | 15 | 15 |
Missouri | 84 | Norfolk State | 86 | 2012-03-16 | Norfolk State | 15 | 15 |
Ohio State | 78 | Loyola | 59 | 2012-03-15 | Ohio State | 2 | 2 |
North Carolina | 102 | Long Island | 87 | 2011-03-18 | Long Island | 2 | 15 |
Notre Dame | 69 | Akron | 56 | 2011-03-18 | Akron | 2 | 15 |
Florida | 79 | Santa Barbara | 51 | 2011-03-17 | Florida | 2 | 2 |
San Diego State | 68 | Northern Colorado | 50 | 2011-03-17 | San Diego State | 2 | 2 |
Ohio State | 68 | Santa Barbara | 51 | 2010-03-19 | Santa Barbara | 2 | 15 |
West Virginia | 77 | Morgan State | 50 | 2010-03-19 | West Virginia | 2 | 2 |
Kansas State | 82 | North Texas | 62 | 2010-03-18 | Kansas State | 2 | 2 |
Villanova | 73 | Robert Morris | 70 | 2010-03-18 | Robert Morris | 2 | 15 |
Michigan State | 77 | Robert Morris | 62 | 2009-03-20 | Michigan State | 2 | 2 |
Oklahoma | 82 | Morgan State | 54 | 2009-03-19 | Oklahoma | 2 | 2 |
Duke | 86 | Binghamton | 62 | 2009-03-19 | Duke | 2 | 2 |
Memphis | 81 | CS Northridge | 70 | 2009-03-19 | CS Northridge | 2 | 15 |
Texas | 74 | Austin Peay | 54 | 2008-03-21 | Texas | 2 | 2 |
Georgetown | 66 | UMBC | 47 | 2008-03-21 | Georgetown | 2 | 2 |
Tennessee | 72 | American | 57 | 2008-03-21 | American | 2 | 15 |
Duke | 71 | Belmont | 70 | 2008-03-20 | Belmont | 2 | 15 |
Wisconsin | 76 | Texas A&M C.C. | 63 | 2007-03-16 | Wisconsin | 2 | 2 |
Memphis | 73 | North Texas | 58 | 2007-03-16 | North Texas | 2 | 15 |
UCLA | 70 | Weber State | 42 | 2007-03-15 | UCLA | 2 | 2 |
Georgetown | 80 | Belmont | 55 | 2007-03-15 | Georgetown | 2 | 2 |
Texas | 60 | Pennsylvania | 52 | 2006-03-17 | Pennsylvania | 2 | 15 |
Ohio State | 70 | Davidson | 62 | 2006-03-17 | Davidson | 2 | 15 |
UCLA | 78 | Belmont | 44 | 2006-03-16 | UCLA | 2 | 2 |
Tennessee | 63 | Winthrop | 61 | 2006-03-16 | Winthrop | 2 | 15 |
Connecticut | 77 | Central Florida | 71 | 2005-03-18 | Central Florida | 2 | 15 |
Oklahoma State | 63 | Southeastern Louisiana | 50 | 2005-03-18 | Southeastern Louisiana | 2 | 15 |
Wake Forest | 70 | Chattanooga | 54 | 2005-03-17 | Chattanooga | 2 | 15 |
Kentucky | 72 | Eastern Kentucky | 64 | 2005-03-17 | Eastern Kentucky | 2 | 15 |
Mississippi State | 85 | Monmouth | 52 | 2004-03-19 | Mississippi State | 2 | 2 |
Oklahoma State | 75 | Eastern Washington | 56 | 2004-03-19 | Oklahoma State | 2 | 2 |
Gonzaga | 76 | Valparaiso | 49 | 2004-03-18 | Gonzaga | 2 | 2 |
Connecticut | 70 | Vermont | 53 | 2004-03-18 | Vermont | 2 | 15 |
Pittsburgh | 87 | Wagner | 61 | 2003-03-21 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 |
Florida | 85 | Sam Houston State | 55 | 2003-03-21 | Florida | 2 | 2 |
Wake Forest | 76 | East Tennessee State | 73 | 2003-03-21 | East Tennessee State | 2 | 15 |
Kansas | 64 | Utah State | 61 | 2003-03-20 | Utah State | 2 | 15 |
Oklahoma | 71 | Illinois-Chicago | 63 | 2002-03-15 | Illinois-Chicago | 2 | 15 |
Connecticut | 78 | Hampton | 67 | 2002-03-15 | Hampton | 2 | 15 |
Oregon | 81 | Montana | 62 | 2002-03-14 | Montana | 2 | 15 |
Alabama | 86 | Florida Atlantic | 78 | 2002-03-14 | Florida Atlantic | 2 | 15 |
Arizona | 101 | Eastern Illinois | 76 | 2001-03-16 | Arizona | 2 | 2 |
North Carolina | 70 | Princeton | 48 | 2001-03-16 | North Carolina | 2 | 2 |
Kentucky | 72 | Holy Cross | 68 | 2001-03-15 | Holy Cross | 2 | 15 |
Iowa State | 57 | Hampton | 58 | 2001-03-15 | Hampton | 15 | 15 |
Temple | 73 | Lafayette | 47 | 2000-03-17 | Temple | 2 | 2 |
Cincinnati | 64 | UNC Wilmington | 47 | 2000-03-17 | UNC Wilmington | 2 | 15 |
St. John’s | 61 | Northern Arizona | 56 | 2000-03-16 | Northern Arizona | 2 | 15 |
Iowa State | 88 | Cent Conn State | 78 | 2000-03-16 | Cent Conn State | 2 | 15 |
Utah | 80 | Arkansas State | 58 | 1999-03-12 | Utah | 2 | 2 |
Miami | 75 | Lafayette | 54 | 1999-03-12 | Miami | 2 | 2 |
Maryland | 82 | Valparaiso | 60 | 1999-03-11 | Maryland | 2 | 2 |
Stanford | 69 | Alcorn State | 57 | 1999-03-11 | Alcorn State | 2 | 15 |
Purdue | 95 | Delaware | 56 | 1998-03-13 | Purdue | 2 | 2 |
Kentucky | 82 | South Carolina State | 67 | 1998-03-13 | South Carolina State | 2 | 15 |
Cincinnati | 65 | Northern Arizona | 62 | 1998-03-12 | Northern Arizona | 2 | 15 |
Connecticut | 93 | Fairleigh Dickinson | 85 | 1998-03-12 | Fairleigh Dickinson | 2 | 15 |
Duke | 71 | Murray State | 68 | 1997-03-14 | Murray State | 2 | 15 |
Utah | 75 | Navy | 61 | 1997-03-14 | Navy | 2 | 15 |
South Carolina | 65 | Coppin State | 78 | 1997-03-14 | Coppin State | 15 | 15 |
UCLA | 109 | Charleston Southern | 75 | 1997-03-13 | UCLA | 2 | 2 |
Cincinnati | 66 | UNC Greensboro | 61 | 1996-03-15 | UNC Greensboro | 2 | 15 |
Georgetown | 93 | Miss Valley State | 56 | 1996-03-15 | Georgetown | 2 | 2 |
Kansas | 92 | South Carolina State | 54 | 1996-03-15 | Kansas | 2 | 2 |
Wake Forest | 64 | Northeast Louisiana | 50 | 1996-03-15 | Northeast Louisiana | 2 | 15 |
March Madness 2 vs 15 Betting History FAQ
Where can I bet on the 2 vs 15 seed March Madness game?
Experienced bettors and casual fans looking to bet on the 2 vs 15 seed March Madness game should refer to Odds Shark's Best March Madness Betting Sites Online guide. The guide reviews the top NCAAB tournament sportsbooks and gives insight into the best place to bet on March Madness this year.
How do I bet on the 2 vs 15 seed March Madness game?
There are multiple ways to bet on the 2 vs 15 seed March Madness game, including a moneyline bet, a spread bet, or many different props. Odds Shark's How to Bet on March Madness guide outlines all the bet formats you can utilize during the NCAAB tournament and some general March Madness betting tips for each.
How do I bet on the 2 vs 15 seed March Madness game?
The last time a 15 seed beat a 2 seed in the opening round of March Madness was in 2016, when the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders beat the Michigan State Spartans, 90-81. Only five 15 seeds have won the matchup since 2000, though two different lower seeds topped the favorite in the 2013 tournament.