UMBC Retrievers men 's basketball team represents the University of Maryland , Baltimore County in National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) Division I competition as a member of the America East Conference . UMBC made its first Division I postseason appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2008 , in which it qualified by winning the America East Conference Tournament . The UMBC Retrievers qualified for their second Division I postseason appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2018 by beating the University of Vermont in the America East Conference Tournament final . During the 2018 NCAA Tournament , UMBC became the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in the NCAA men 's tournament , beating the Virginia Cavaliers 74 – 54
America East Conference Tournament
2008 America East Men's Basketball Tournament
UMBC Retrievers men's basketball