The play-in game for the 11 seed in the tournament is held to determine the final team that will advance to the main bracket. This game gives lower-seeded teams a chance to compete for a spot in the tournament and adds excitement to the event.
The 11 seed is a play-in game in the NCAA basketball tournament because it allows for more teams to participate in the tournament and provides an opportunity for lower-seeded teams to earn a spot in the main bracket.
The lowest seed to ever win a game in the tournament was a 16th seed; it happened in 2018 when the University of Maryland - Baltimore County (16th seed in the South) beat the University of Virginia (1st seed in the South) by a score of 74 - 54.
Since the NCAA implemented the 64 seed tournament format in 1985, the lowest seed to make it to the NCAA championship game was #8 seeded Villanova in 1985.
The lowest seeded team to make it all the way to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament was an 11 seed and it happened four times:11 seeded LSU in 198611 seeded George Mason in 200611 seeded VCU in 201111 seeded Wichita State in 2013
Wheel of Fortune - 1983 College Tournament Week Game 3 11-173 was released on: USA: 18 May 1994
Jeopardy - 1984 1994 Tournament of Champions Quarterfinal Game 4 11-54 was released on: USA: 17 November 1994
Wheel of Fortune - 1983 College Tournament Week Game 2 11-172 was released on: USA: 17 May 1994
Jeopardy - 1984 1994 Tournament of Champions Quarterfinal Game 3 11-53 was released on: USA: 16 November 1994
Jeopardy - 1984 1994 Tournament of Champions Semifinal Game 3 11-58 was released on: USA: 23 November 1994
Wheel of Fortune - 1983 College Tournament Week Game 1 11-171 was released on: USA: 16 May 1994
Jeopardy - 1984 1994 Tournament of Champions Final Game 2 11-60 was released on: USA: 25 November 1994
Jeopardy - 1984 1994 Tournament of Champions Final Game 1 11-59 was released on: USA: 24 November 1994