As the crowd at Greensboro Coliseum watched an intense game between Kentucky and Providence, a major upset in NCAA Tournament history was taking place in Columbus, Ohio.
No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson upset top-seed Purdue, becoming just the second 16-seed to accomplish the feat in tournament history.
As the seconds were ticking down for Fairleigh Dickinson, the game was put on the jumbotron in Greensboro, N.C.
FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UPSETS TOP SEED PURDUE, BECOMING SECOND 16 SEED TO BEAT A NO. 1 IN MARCH MADNESS HISTORY
Fairleigh Dickinson guard Grant Singleton (4) celebrates after a basket against Purdue in the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the men’s NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The crowd, raucous all night long as they watched Kentucky beat Providence, began to chant.
“FDU. FDU. FDU.”
And the Wildcats had no clue history was happening.
Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Providence Friars in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
In his postgame press conference, Kentucky head coach John Calipari told reporters he was unaware that one of the wildest upsets in March Madness history had just occurred.
“I’ve been telling these guys, you don’t watch the games,” Calipari said. “Because if you think you’re going to be playing somebody, they get knocked off. That’s how this stuff works. We can write our own story.”
“We didn’t know it. Did you guys know that?” Calipari asked his players. “None of us knew that. We’re not watching games. We’re focused on us and enjoying this moment. So, thank you for letting us know they got beat. I didn’t know. And I feel bad. Matt Painter [Purdue head coach] is a terrific guy. And I know what you could through with that kind of stuff.”
Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to an on-court action against the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Sean Moore led FDU with 19 points, with Demetre Roberts adding 12.
“I love our guys. They’re tough, they’re gritty, they played their tails off. That’s an unbelievable win. We just did something that’s unbelievable. We just shocked the world,” FDU head coach Tobin Anderson said after the game.
FDU moves on to play the winner on Memphis-FAU on Sunday, while the Kentucky Wildcats await the winner of Kansas State-Montana State.
