Kentucky loss headlines March Madness upsets, unraveling millions of brackets

The NCAA says just 0.00038% of perfect brackets remain

It has not taken long for March Madness to live up to its name. 

Several upsets by double-digit teams, headlined by Kentucky’s shocking loss to Oakland on Thursday night, have resulted in bracket heartbreak. 

Oakland bench reacts

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies bench reacts during the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 21, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Following the Wildcats’ 80-76 loss to the 14th-seeded Golden Grizzlies, the NCAA announced that less than 1% of perfect brackets remain. The exact figure was .00038%. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

It began with No. 11 seed Duquesne upsetting sixth-seeded BYU for a 71-67 victory. Mississippi State’s loss to Michigan State added to the mayhem, bringing the perfect brackets in the "Men's Bracket Challenge Game" down to 13.89%. 

Wins by two more double-digit teams – Oregon and Nevada – brought that number down to 2.43%. 

KANSAS MEN’S BASKETBALL ADVANCES AFTER CONTROVERSIAL CALL HINDERS SAMFORD UPSET: ‘AN INCREDIBLE PLAY’

Kentucky’s loss to Oakland seemed like the final nail in the coffin. According to the NCAA website, around 2,100 perfect brackets of the more than 29 million entered across major platforms remain perfect. 

Wildcat bench reacts

Aaron Bradshaw, #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats, reacts on the bench during the second half of a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 21, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

However, one notable name seems to have lucked out. 

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is among the less than 1% with a perfect bracket. 

A narrow victory thanks to the help of a controversial call in the final seconds of Kansas vs. Samford on Thursday may have saved a few more brackets. 

Nicolas Timberlake fouled

A.J. Staton-McCray, #5 of the Samford Bulldogs, is called for a foul on Nicolas Timberlake, #25 of the Kansas Jayhawks, with 14 seconds left during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Delta Center on March 21, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Despite the upsets, the NCAA reports that the figures this season are still better than compared to last year. During that period, only 787 brackets remained perfect after the first day of the tournament. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Paulina Dedaj via FoxNews March 22nd 2024