‘Cinderella is a Jersey Girl!’: Reactions to FDU’s Shocking Upset of Purdue

After his team decisively defeated Texas Southern in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament, setting up a clash with top-seeded Purdue, Fairleigh-Dickinson coach Tobin Anderson made an audacious declaration.

“Watching Purdue more and more,” he asserted, “I believe we can beat them.”

His daring forecast turned out to be accurate.

On Friday in Columbus, Anderson’s Knights delivered a monumental upset, knocking off the Boilermakers 63-58. This victory made FDU only the second 16-seed to ever topple a No. 1 seed in March Madness history. Following Saint Peter’s remarkable Cinderella run last year, another small institution from just 15 miles away achieved the most upset in college basketball lore.

From a previous season of a dismal 4-22 record and a coaching change involving a former Division II coach, and just a week after finishing as runners-up in the Northeast Conference—considered the weakest in Division I—FDU defied considerable odds to secure a memorable triumph that will be referenced in March Madness for years to come.

“We shocked the world!” Anderson exclaimed in his postgame remarks.

Here’s what was said about FDU’s historic victory over Purdue:

“Saint Peter’s Princeton Fairleigh Dickinson CINDERELLA IS A JERSEY GIRL” — Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic.

“FDU’s triumph over Purdue is the BIGGEST UPSET in NCAA Tournament history. Unlike UMBC in 2018 or St. Peter’s in 2022, FDU didn’t earn an AQ — Merrimack did but was ineligible. Plus, FDU came from the First Four.” — Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports.

“Purdue has become the only team to lose to a 13-seed or lower in three consecutive NCAA Tournaments.” — Jeff Rabjohns, 247Sports.

“A year removed from a 4-22 season, with a coach and backcourt from Division 2, 16-seed FDU is sending the Big Ten champion home. The biggest upset in NCAA history, but the Knights were the superior team tonight. Only in college basketball.” — Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press.

“FDU, the shortest team in the country, defeated Purdue, the tallest team.” — Chris Vannini, The Athletic.

“This tournament features more Cinderellas than a kindergarten Halloween party.” — Dan Rather.

“I genuinely believe this is the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history. FDU, not even winning its conference tournament and ranked outside the top 300 in KenPom before Tuesday’s game, achieved this astonishing feat.” — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic.

“An intriguing aspect of Fairleigh Dickinson’s win: If not for the rule mandating a four-year wait for teams transitioning to D-1 to be tournament-eligible, Merrimack, which won the NEC titles, would have participated instead of FDU.” — Jeff Goodman, Stadium.