The 2022 March Madness bracket delivered one of the most historic NCAA tournaments ever, ending with Kansas defeating North Carolina 72–69 in the national championship game on April 4, 2022. The tournament featured a record-setting upset, a first-ever Final Four matchup between Duke and North Carolina, and a dramatic comeback in the title game.
As of March 2, 2026, the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament remains one of the most talked-about brackets in recent memory. Fans continue to revisit it for its unpredictability and historic moments.
Here is a complete, fact-based breakdown of the 2022 tournament bracket, including seeds, upsets, Final Four teams, and championship details.
Table of Contents
Overview of the 2022 NCAA Tournament
The 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament marked the 83rd edition of March Madness. The event returned to its traditional multi-site format after the 2021 tournament was held primarily in Indiana due to pandemic restrictions.
Key tournament details:
- Field Size: 68 teams
- Selection Sunday: March 13, 2022
- First Four: March 15–16, 2022
- National Championship: April 4, 2022
- Championship Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Kansas entered as a No. 1 seed and ultimately captured the national title.
No. 1 Seeds in the 2022 March Madness Bracket
The top four seeds in the tournament were:
- Gonzaga (West Region)
- Arizona (South Region)
- Kansas (Midwest Region)
- Baylor (East Region)
Each No. 1 seed entered the tournament with high expectations.
Kansas became the only No. 1 seed to reach the national championship game.
Historic First-Round Upset: Saint Peter’s
The 2022 tournament will always be remembered for Saint Peter’s.
Saint Peter’s University, a No. 15 seed from the MAAC, stunned No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round. The Peacocks defeated Kentucky 85–79 in overtime on March 17, 2022.
That victory launched one of the most remarkable Cinderella runs in tournament history.
Saint Peter’s continued its run by defeating:
- No. 7 seed Murray State
- No. 3 seed Purdue
The Peacocks became the first No. 15 seed ever to reach the Elite Eight.
Their run ended in the East Regional Final against No. 8 seed North Carolina.
Final Four Teams
The 2022 Final Four featured:
- Kansas (Midwest Region champion)
- North Carolina (East Region champion)
- Duke (West Region champion)
- Villanova (South Region champion)
The games took place on April 2, 2022, in New Orleans.
North Carolina vs. Duke
This matchup marked the first NCAA Tournament meeting between Duke and North Carolina.
The rivalry already ranked among the most intense in sports. Adding a Final Four setting raised the stakes even higher.
North Carolina defeated Duke 81–77.
The loss ended legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career. He retired following the 2021–2022 season.
Kansas vs. Villanova
Kansas defeated Villanova 81–65 in the other semifinal.
The Jayhawks advanced to the championship game for the first time since 2012.
National Championship Game Recap
The championship game took place on April 4, 2022.
North Carolina led 40–25 at halftime. That 15-point lead matched the largest halftime deficit in NCAA championship history.
Kansas mounted a dramatic comeback in the second half.
Final Score:
Kansas 72, North Carolina 69
Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji led the team with 12 points in the title game. David McCormack played a key role inside, including a late go-ahead basket.
Kansas completed the largest comeback in national championship game history.
Head coach Bill Self earned his second NCAA championship. His first came in 2008.
Complete Final Four and Championship Results
Here is a quick summary:
Final Four (April 2, 2022)
- Kansas 81, Villanova 65
- North Carolina 81, Duke 77
National Championship (April 4, 2022)
- Kansas 72, North Carolina 69
Kansas finished the season with a 34–6 record.
Other Notable Upsets and Highlights
The 2022 March Madness bracket featured several surprising outcomes:
- No. 11 seed Michigan advanced to the Sweet 16.
- No. 10 seed Miami (FL) reached the Elite Eight.
- No. 8 seed North Carolina advanced to the national championship.
North Carolina entered the tournament unranked in the preseason AP Poll. The Tar Heels’ run to the title game marked one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent memory.
Coaching Milestones
The 2022 tournament carried major coaching storylines.
Mike Krzyzewski’s Final Season
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, widely known as Coach K, retired after the season. His career included:
- Five national championships
- 13 Final Four appearances
- Over 1,200 career wins
His final game came in the Final Four loss to North Carolina.
Bill Self’s Second Title
Kansas head coach Bill Self secured his second national championship in 2022.
His titles:
- 2008
- 2022
Self’s victory further solidified Kansas as one of college basketball’s premier programs.
Tournament Locations
The 2022 tournament featured games across multiple U.S. cities.
Regional sites included:
- San Francisco (West Regional)
- Chicago (Midwest Regional)
- Philadelphia (East Regional)
- San Antonio (South Regional)
The Final Four returned to New Orleans, a city with deep basketball history.
Bracket Performance and Perfect Bracket Odds
As with every tournament, millions of Americans filled out brackets in 2022.
No verified perfect bracket was recorded through the entire tournament.
The unpredictable nature of Saint Peter’s run eliminated many brackets early.
The historic upsets highlighted why March Madness remains one of the most exciting sporting events in the United States.
Legacy of the 2022 Tournament
Four years later, the 2022 event still stands out.
Key reasons include:
- First Final Four meeting between Duke and North Carolina
- Largest championship comeback
- First No. 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight
- Emotional end to Coach K’s career
The tournament delivered drama at every stage.
Fans often revisit the 2022 bracket when discussing the most unpredictable NCAA tournaments.
Championship Game Leaders
In the title game:
- Kansas erased a 15-point halftime deficit
- North Carolina shot 31% in the second half
- Kansas controlled key rebounds late
The comeback tied the largest halftime rally in championship history.
David McCormack’s late basket gave Kansas the decisive edge.
Why the 2022 March Madness Bracket Still Trends
Search interest remains high for several reasons:
- Historic rivalry moments
- Cinderella run by Saint Peter’s
- Coaching legacy narratives
- Dramatic championship finish
The combination of upsets and blue-blood programs created lasting appeal.
As of March 2026, the 2022 tournament continues to rank among the most memorable in NCAA history.
The 2022 March Madness bracket delivered unforgettable moments, emotional endings, and record-setting performances that still resonate with college basketball fans today.
What moment from the 2022 tournament stands out most to you? Share your thoughts and relive the madness.
