With Selection Sunday upcoming, the 8 vs 9 matchups are almost locked in.
The 8 vs 9 matchups are the only seed pairings in March Madness history where the underdog has more wins than the higher seed, winning 51.9% of meetings since 1985.
How many times has the no. 8 seed been upset by the no. 9 seed?
Since 1985, No. 9 seeds carry a 81-75 record all-time against No. 8 seeds. It's to be expected that this pairing would result in the most even betting situation in the bracket. However, No. 9 seeds have controlling these matchups, 13-7 SU in 20 elimination-round games; pulling off a sweep in 2019 and coming one game shy of doing the same in two years following.
It's not as common for all No. 8 seeds to sweep the No. 9 seeds, though. That perfect performance has only happened three times in nearly four decades (2015, 2002, 2000).
In 2024, No. 9 seeds went 3-1 SU and ATS with Texas A&M, Northwestern and Michigan State all advancing. It was Utah State's 88-72 loss to TCU that left the brooms in the closet.
What Seed Has The Recent ATS Edge?
Dating back to 1996, betting on 8 vs 9 is statistically the toughest to predict of all the matchups. The No. 9 seeds are 56-54-2 ATS. However, recent betting results heavily favor the higher seed with the No. 9 going 8-4 ATS in the last 12 first-round matchups—recording a 66.6% cover rate.
Odds of 9 seed beating 8 seed
Of the 156 8 vs 9 matchups accounted for, mathematically, the No. 9 seed has a 51.9% chance of defeating the No. 8 seed outright in March Madness.
no. 8 seed vs no. 9 seed History
| #8 Seed | Score | #9 Seed | Score | Date | ATS Win | Win Seed | ATS Seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 88 | TCU | 72 | 2024-03-22 | Utah State | 8 | 8 |
| Nebraska | 83 | Texas A&M | 98 | 2024-03-22 | Texas A&M | 9 | 9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 65 | Northwestern | 77 | 2024-03-22 | Northwestern | 9 | 9 |
| Michigan State | 69 | Mississippi State | 51 | 2024-03-21 | Michigan State | 8 | 8 |
| Maryland | 67 | West Virginia | 65 | 2023-03-16 | Maryland | 8 | 8 |
| Arkansas | 73 | Illinois | 63 | 2023-03-16 | Arkansas | 8 | 8 |
| Iowa | 75 | Auburn | 85 | 2023-03-16 | Auburn | 9 | 9 |
| Memphis | 65 | FAU | 66 | 2023-03-17 | FAU | 9 | 9 |
| Seton Hall | 42 | TCU | 69 | 2022-03-18 | TCU | 9 | 9 |
| San Diego State | 69 | Creighton | 72 | 2022-03-17 | Creighton | 9 | 9 |
| North Carolina | 95 | Marquette | 63 | 2022-03-17 | North Carolina | 8 | 8 |
| Boise State | 53 | Memphis | 64 | 2022-03-17 | Memphis | 9 | 9 |
| Loyola Chicago | 71 | Georgia Tech | 60 | 2021-03-19 | Loyola Chicago | 8 | 8 |
| North Carolina | 62 | Wisconsin | 85 | 2021-03-19 | Wisconsin | 9 | 9 |
| LSU | 76 | St. Bonaventure | 61 | 2021-03-20 | LSU | 8 | 8 |
| Oklahoma | 72 | Missouri | 68 | 2021-03-20 | Oklahoma | 8 | 8 |
| VCU | 58 | UCF | 73 | 2019-03-22 | UCF | 9 | 9 |
| Syracuse | 69 | Baylor | 78 | 2019-03-21 | Baylor | 9 | 9 |
| Ole Miss | 72 | Oklahoma | 95 | 2019-03-22 | Oklahoma | 9 | 9 |
| Utah State | 61 | Washington | 78 | 2019-03-21 | Washington | 9 | 9 |
| Seton Hall | 94 | NC State | 83 | 2018-03-15 | Seton Hall | 8 | 8 |
| Virginia Tech | 83 | Alabama | 86 | 2018-03-15 | Alabama | 9 | 9 |
| Creighton | 59 | Kansas State | 69 | 2018-03-16 | Kansas State | 9 | 9 |
| Missouri | 54 | Florida State | 67 | 2018-03-16 | Florida State | 9 | 9 |
| Wisconsin | 84 | Virginia Tech | 74 | 2017-03-16 | Wisconsin | 8 | 9 |
| Miami (FL) | 58 | Michigan State | 78 | 2017-03-17 | Michigan State | 9 | 9 |
| Northwestern | 68 | Vanderbilt | 66 | 2017-03-16 | Northwestern | 8 | 8 |
| Arkansas | 77 | Seton Hall | 71 | 2017-03-17 | Arkansas | 8 | 8 |
| Texas Tech | 61 | Butler | 71 | 2016-03-17 | Butler | 9 | 9 |
| Saint Joseph’s | 78 | Cincinnati | 76 | 2016-03-18 | Saint Joseph’s | 8 | 8 |
| USC | 69 | Providence | 70 | 2016-03-17 | USC | 9 | 8 |
| Colorado | 67 | UConn | 74 | 2016-03-17 | UConn | 9 | 9 |
| San Diego State | 76 | St. John’s | 64 | 2015-03-20 | San Diego State | 8 | 8 |
| Oregon | 79 | Oklahoma State | 73 | 2015-03-20 | Oregon | 8 | 8 |
| NC State | 66 | LSU | 65 | 2015-03-19 | LSU | 8 | 9 |
| Cincinnati | 66 | Purdue | 65 | 2015-03-19 | Purdue | 8 | 9 |
| Kentucky | 56 | Kansas State | 49 | 2014-03-21 | Kentucky | 8 | 8 |
| Memphis | 71 | George Washington | 66 | 2014-03-21 | Memphis | 8 | 8 |
| Gonzaga | 85 | Oklahoma State | 77 | 2014-03-21 | Gonzaga | 8 | 8 |
| Colorado | 48 | Pittsburgh | 77 | 2014-03-20 | Pittsburgh | 9 | 9 |
| North Carolina | 78 | Villanova | 71 | 2013-03-22 | North Carolina | 8 | 8 |
| North Carolina State | 72 | Temple | 76 | 2013-03-22 | Temple | 9 | 9 |
| Colorado State | 84 | Missouri | 72 | 2013-03-21 | Colorado State | 8 | 8 |
| Pittsburgh | 55 | Wichita State | 73 | 2013-03-21 | Wichita State | 9 | 9 |
| Memphis | 54 | Saint Louis | 61 | 2012-03-16 | Saint Louis | 9 | 9 |
| Creighton | 58 | Alabama | 57 | 2012-03-16 | Creighton | 8 | 8 |
| Iowa State | 77 | Connecticut | 64 | 2012-03-15 | Iowa State | 8 | 8 |
| Kansas State | 70 | Southern Miss | 64 | 2012-03-15 | Kansas State | 8 | 8 |
| UNLV | 62 | Illinois | 73 | 2011-03-18 | Illinois | 9 | 9 |
| George Mason | 61 | Villanova | 57 | 2011-03-18 | George Mason | 8 | 8 |
| Michigan | 75 | Tennessee | 45 | 2011-03-18 | Michigan | 8 | 8 |
| Butler | 60 | Old Dominion | 58 | 2011-03-17 | Butler | 8 | 8 |
| California | 77 | Louisville | 62 | 2010-03-19 | California | 8 | 8 |
| Gonzaga | 67 | Florida State | 60 | 2010-03-19 | Gonzaga | 8 | 8 |
| Texas | 80 | Wake Forest | 81 | 2010-03-18 | Wake Forest | 9 | 9 |
| UNLV | 66 | Northern Iowa | 69 | 2010-03-18 | Northern Iowa | 9 | 9 |
| Ohio State | 72 | Siena | 74 | 2009-03-20 | Siena | 9 | 9 |
| Oklahoma State | 77 | Tennessee | 75 | 2009-03-20 | Oklahoma State | 8 | 8 |
| BYU | 66 | Texas A&M | 79 | 2009-03-19 | Texas A&M | 9 | 9 |
| LSU | 75 | Butler | 71 | 2009-03-19 | LSU | 8 | 8 |
| Indiana | 72 | Arkansas | 86 | 2008-03-21 | Arkansas | 9 | 9 |
| Mississippi State | 76 | Oregon | 69 | 2008-03-21 | Mississippi State | 8 | 8 |
| BYU | 62 | Texas A&M | 67 | 2008-03-20 | Texas A&M | 9 | 9 |
| UNLV | 71 | Kent State | 58 | 2008-03-20 | UNLV | 8 | 8 |
| Kentucky | 67 | Villanova | 58 | 2007-03-16 | Kentucky | 8 | 8 |
| Arizona | 63 | Purdue | 72 | 2007-03-16 | Purdue | 9 | 9 |
| BYU | 77 | Xavier | 79 | 2007-03-15 | PUSH | 9 | |
| Marquette | 49 | Michigan State | 61 | 2007-03-15 | Michigan State | 9 | 9 |
| Kentucky | 69 | UAB | 64 | 2006-03-17 | Kentucky | 8 | 8 |
| Arkansas | 55 | Bucknell | 59 | 2006-03-17 | Bucknell | 9 | 9 |
| Arizona | 94 | Wisconsin | 75 | 2006-03-17 | Arizona | 8 | 8 |
| George Washington | 88 | UNC Wilmington | 85 | 2006-03-16 | PUSH | 8 | |
| Stanford | 70 | Mississippi State | 93 | 2005-03-18 | Mississippi State | 9 | 9 |
| Minnesota | 53 | Iowa State | 64 | 2005-03-18 | Iowa State | 9 | 9 |
| Texas | 57 | Nevada | 61 | 2005-03-17 | Nevada | 9 | 9 |
| Pacific | 79 | Pittsburgh | 71 | 2005-03-17 | Pacific | 8 | 8 |
| Washington | 100 | UAB | 102 | 2004-03-19 | UAB | 9 | 9 |
| Seton Hall | 80 | Arizona | 76 | 2004-03-18 | Seton Hall | 8 | 8 |
| Alabama | 65 | Southern Illinois | 64 | 2004-03-18 | Southern Illinois | 8 | 9 |
| Texas Tech | 76 | Charlotte | 73 | 2004-03-18 | Texas Tech | 8 | 8 |
| Oregon | 58 | Utah | 60 | 2003-03-21 | Utah | 9 | 9 |
| LSU | 56 | Purdue | 80 | 2003-03-21 | Purdue | 9 | 9 |
| California | 76 | NC State | 74 | 2003-03-20 | California | 8 | 8 |
| Cincinnati | 69 | Gonzaga | 74 | 2003-03-20 | Gonzaga | 9 | 9 |
| UCLA | 80 | Mississippi | 58 | 2002-03-15 | UCLA | 8 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | 80 | St. John’s | 70 | 2002-03-15 | Wisconsin | 8 | 8 |
| Stanford | 84 | Western Kentucky | 68 | 2002-03-14 | Stanford | 8 | 8 |
| Notre Dame | 82 | Charlotte | 63 | 2002-03-14 | Notre Dame | 8 | 8 |
| Tennessee | 63 | Charlotte | 70 | 2001-03-16 | Charlotte | 9 | 9 |
| California | 70 | Fresno State | 82 | 2001-03-16 | Fresno State | 9 | 9 |
| Georgia Tech | 62 | Saint Joseph’s | 66 | 2001-03-15 | Saint Joseph’s | 9 | 9 |
| Missouri | 70 | Georgia | 68 | 2001-03-15 | Missouri | 8 | 8 |
| Kansas | 81 | DePaul | 77 | 2000-03-17 | Kansas | 8 | 8 |
| North Carolina | 84 | Missouri | 70 | 2000-03-17 | North Carolina | 8 | 8 |
| Utah | 48 | Saint Louis | 45 | 2000-03-16 | Saint Louis | 8 | 9 |
| Wisconsin | 66 | Fresno State | 56 | 2000-03-16 | Wisconsin | 8 | 8 |
| College of Charleston | 53 | Tulsa | 62 | 1999-03-12 | Tulsa | 9 | 9 |
| Villanova | 70 | Mississippi | 72 | 1999-03-12 | Villanova | 9 | 8 |
| Syracuse | 61 | Oklahoma State | 69 | 1999-03-11 | Oklahoma State | 9 | 9 |
| Missouri | 59 | New Mexico | 61 | 1999-03-11 | New Mexico | 9 | 9 |
| Rhode Island | 97 | Murray State | 74 | 1998-03-13 | Rhode Island | 8 | 8 |
| Oklahoma State | 74 | George Washington | 59 | 1998-03-13 | Oklahoma State | 8 | 8 |
| Charlotte | 77 | Illinois-Chicago | 62 | 1998-03-12 | Charlotte | 8 | 8 |
| Tennessee | 81 | Illinois State | 82 | 1998-03-12 | PUSH | 9 | |
| Mississippi | 40 | Temple | 62 | 1997-03-14 | Temple | 9 | 9 |
| Iowa | 73 | Virginia | 60 | 1997-03-13 | PUSH | 8 | |
| Purdue | 83 | Rhode Island | 76 | 1997-03-13 | Purdue | 8 | 8 |
| Indiana | 62 | Colorado | 80 | 1997-03-13 | Colorado | 9 | 9 |
| Duke | 60 | Eastern Michigan | 75 | 1996-03-14 | Eastern Michigan | 9 | 9 |
| Bradley | 58 | Stanford | 66 | 1996-03-14 | Stanford | 9 | 9 |
| Wisc-Green Bay | 49 | Virginia Tech | 61 | 1996-03-14 | Virginia Tech | 9 | 9 |
| Georgia | 81 | Clemson | 74 | 1996-03-14 | Georgia | 8 | 8 |
March Madness 8 vs 9 Betting History FAQ
Where can I bet on the 8 vs 9 seed March Madness games?
If you are looking for the best place to bet on the 8 vs 9 seed March Madness games, Odds Shark has compiled a list of the Best March Madness Betting Sites for you to wager on this spring. The guide reviews the top NCAAB tournament sportsbooks and gives insight into the best place to bet on March Madness this year for casual fans and experienced bettors.
How do I bet on the 8 vs 9 seed March Madness games?
There are multiple ways to bet on the 8 vs 9 seed March Madness games, 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.
When was the last time a 9 seed beat a 8 seed in March Madness?
The last time a No. 9 seed beat a 8 seed in March Madness was in 2024 when the underdog Texas A&M Aggies defeated the No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers 98-83. The No. 9 seeds went 3-1 SU and ATS vs No. 8 seeds in 2024.
