The elimination in the first round of Kentucky (#2) by Saint Peter’s (#15) had already marked the spirits last year. But tonight, the victory of Fairleigh Dickinson (#16) on Purdue (#1) in the East region shocked the NCAA planet even more. It’s quite simple: the victory of the Knights, who became only the second #16 seed in history to overthrow a #1 seed in the first round, may well have become the biggest “upset” of the story of “March Madness”.
Passed through a round of dams (“First Four”) to validate his ticket in the table, Fairleigh Dickinson was not content to win: Tobin Anderson and his men clearly dominated the Boilermakers (63-58).
” Our objective was to send successive blows until they wavered assured the rear Demetre Roberts, author of 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and 1 interception. ” We knew they were going to run into us, and that we had to send them the change of their room. It was that kind of game. »
Smallest team in the college premier division by average squad size rosterthe Knights notably executed a perfect game plan: throwing a two-man absolutely systematically on the giant Zach Edey at the low post, who still managed to post a double-double to 21 points and 15 rebounds, but at the expense of the fluidity of his attack (36% on shots).
” They formed a block around me. It was very complicated to receive passes properly ” effectively launched the Canadian pivot of Purdue, all the same fair play. ” But congratulations to them, I take my hat off to them. Their game plan was clear, and they executed it perfectly. »
Best team in the Big Ten and among the favorites for the title this season, Purdue sees its great season come to an end in the worst possible way for a #1 seed… It’s “March madness”!
The end of the match and the explosion of joy of the Knights at the final whistle
TCU (#6) and Florida Atlantic (#9), on the gong
It’s never a complete “March Madness” experience without the winning shots that send an entire room into unbelievable hysteria.
Tonight, TCU (#6) And Florida Atlantic (#9), against Arizona State (#11) and Memphis (#8) respectively, snatched their ticket to the second round in the most epic of ways. We let you enjoy.
The Horned Frogs will face Gonzaga in the second round in the West region. As for the Owls, it is the “Tom Thumb” Fairleigh Dickinson, who has just brought down the ogre Purdue, who awaits them in the second round in the East region.
Tom Izzo and the Spartans, confident in March
We often tend to repeat, every year when the month of March starts, that you should never underestimate Tom Izzo at this time of the year, whatever his seed.
Once again, yesterday, the legendary coach of Michigan State (#7) proved it, and it was Southern California who paid the price (72-62). Very solid in defense, the Spartans completely thwarted the Trojans during the last quarter of an hour of the game, then driving the point home on the other side of the field, under the impetus of the pair of backs Tyson Walker (12 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists) – AJ Hoggard (11 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists) as always very sharp.
” We found a good rhythm [en attaque]. We had been talking about it for a few weeks. But obviously it was no secret that I was unhappy with our defense “he recalled thus. ” And I must say that for 32 or 33 minutes tonight, we were perfect in that area. »
In an East region in which the cards are reshuffled after Purdue’s surprise loss in the first round, Michigan State has more than ever a card to play. Although the Spartans’ second round will be particularly complex: the Big East champions and dangerous underdogs in the tournament, Marquette (#2)…
