New Jersey’s underdog teams in the NCAA Tournament have made their presence known in the college basketball world. After busting brackets across the country, they’ve taken it a step further, metaphorically shredding them and turning the remnants into nourishment for their home state’s famous tomatoes.
Princeton, fresh off an upset over No. 2 seed Arizona, secured their first Sweet 16 berth since 1967 by defeating No. 7 seed Missouri 78-63 on Saturday night in Sacramento, California. This victory marks the largest margin of triumph ever by a No. 15 seed.
This win came just a day after No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) achieved the greatest upset in NCAA Tournament history by toppling No. 1 seed Purdue.
New Jersey’s confidence is undeniable, especially when it comes to pizza, bagels, and basketball. Princeton’s run marks the first time an Ivy League team has reached the Sweet 16 since Cornell in 2010. Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson expressed immense pride in his team, stating that advancing to the Sweet 16 is a big achievement for the school.
Led by Ryan Langborg with 22 points and Blake Peters, who nailed five 3-pointers in the second half, Princeton dominated Missouri from start to finish, out-rebounding their larger opponents 45-29. The Tigers’ performance on the court was a testament to their belief that they belong in the tournament, despite being seen as underdogs.
Princeton will face the winner of Baylor vs. Creighton in the Sweet 16, and the team’s confidence continues to grow. FDU and Princeton’s combined 4-0 record in the tournament adds to New Jersey’s recent basketball success, following Saint Peter’s historic Elite Eight run last March.
While each team has its own style, they share a common thread of resilience and determination, winning over the hearts of basketball fans nationwide. Princeton’s disciplined approach, reminiscent of legendary coach Pete Carril’s old-school fundamentals, has guided them to victory.
Henderson, who was part of Princeton’s iconic 1996 upset over UCLA as a player, now leads his team to create their own unforgettable NCAA Tournament memories. “They’re playing absolutely fearless,” Henderson remarked, proud of his team’s unflinching determination.