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Who are the Norfolk State Spartans?

A closer look at today's upset winners over No. 2 seed Missouri:

  • First NCAA tournament appearance.

  • Made transition from Division II to Division I in 1997-98 season.

  • Three winning seasons in 15 years in Division I (Division I school-record 25 wins this year).

  • Five alumni have played in the NBA.

  • Kyle O'Quinn: 48 career double-doubles entering today, tied for third-most among active players.

  • Norfolk State nearly beat Marquette on a neutral floor in November, losing 59-57.

  • Norfolk State also lost to Elizabeth City State in November, 69-57. Elizabeth City State plays in Division II.

15-seeds that have defeated 2-seeds

Since 1985 expansion

2012: Norfolk State over Missouri (Big 12)

2001: Hampton over Iowa State (Big 12)

1997: Coppin State over South Carolina (SEC)

1993: Santa Clara over Arizona (Pac-10)

1991: Richmond over Syracuse (Big East)

TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE

Out of the 6.45 million entries in ESPN.com’s Tournament Challenge, Norfolk State was picked by the fewest number of people to win it all:

Norfolk State: 838

New Mexico State: 856

Loyola (Md.): 942

Lehigh: 1,020

After Norfolk State’s victory over Missouri, there are now just two perfect brackets left in Tournament Challenge. There were 1,607 remaining before the game ended. Just 1.2 percent of Tournament Challenge brackets have Norfolk State beating Missouri. Meanwhile, 7.1 percent of brackets had Mizzou winning it all, the fourth-most popular pick to win the championship. The Tigers were the third-most popular pick to reach the Final Four at 40.8 percent.