College Basketball

Reaction to UMBC’s upset for the ages against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament

UMBC's K.J. Maura (11) and Jourdan Grant celebrate the team's 74-54 win over Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
UMBC's K.J. Maura (11) and Jourdan Grant celebrate the team's 74-54 win over Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) AP

As the national TV audience grew for the UMBC-Virginia NCAA Tournament game Friday night, more and more people starting heading towards social media.

That number included at least one future NFL Hall of Fame football player.

This is why. A No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament had never beaten a No. 1, and it was happening. The UMBC Retrievers, who had lost by 44 to Albany earlier this season, were taking down a 31-2 ACC champion that was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

This upset would seem to rival any upset in any sport you’d ever seen.

The reaction was immediate.

A sampling.

This story was originally published March 17, 2018 at 12:19 AM with the headline "Reaction to UMBC’s upset for the ages against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament."

Sports Pass is your ticket to Charlotte sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Charlotte area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER