2023: #16 Fairleigh Dickinson vs #1 Purdue (63-58 First Round)
Fairleigh Dickinson made it to the tournament due to a technicality. They lost the NEC Championship game to top-seeded Merrimack but because Merrimack was in a transition period from Division II to Division I they were ineligible for the Big Dance so the Knights received the conference’s automatic bid. The Knights defeated #16 Texas Southern (84-61) in a First Four game to set up a match-up against top seeded #1 Purdue. The Big Ten champion Boilermakers, led by Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey, were heavily favored by 23.5 points. Despite being the shortest Division I team, Fairleigh Dickinson swarmed the 7 foot 4 All-American center and outplayed Purdue from the opening tip. The Boilermakers shot poorly from 3 point making only 5 of 26 (19%) and finished the game with 16 turnovers. Although the Knights would lose their 2nd Round game against #9 Florida Atlantic (78-70), their stunning 1st Round upset was only the second time in tournament history that a #16 seed knocked off a #1 seed.
Bracket Bingo 