College Basketball World Shocked After FDU Pulls Off Historic Upset Win Over Purdue

The Knights made history as the second No. 16 seed in NCAA history to take down a No. 1 seed.

For just the second time in NCAA history, a No. 16 seed has stunned the sports world as Fairleigh Dickinson toppled No. 1 seed Purdue, 63–58, in the round of 64 on Friday night.

Led by first-year coach Tobin Anderson, the Knights (21–15) outlasted the heavily-favorited Boilermakers (29–5) in a showing that embodied the true meaning of David beating Goliath. After taking a 32–31 lead into halftime following a 19–13 run to open the game, FDU weathered the storm, including a 10–0 Purdue run to take a 47–41 lead with 11:41 left in the game. The Knights would go on to end the game on 22–11 run to pull off the shocking upset victory.

FDU junior forward Sean Moore finished the game with a team-high 19 points and made several key defensive plays down the stretch to help pesky FDU maintain control of the game. The Knights’ defensive effort notably affected Purdue star Zach Edey, who finished with a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds but was held to just one shot in the final 12 minutes of the game.

As the reality of Purdue’s loss set in, college basketball fans around the world weighed in on the stunning outcome. Check below for some of the best reactions to FDU’s unbelievable first-round victory:

MARCH MADNESS at its BEST - FDU # 16 seed BEATS # 1 seed PURDUE ! Wow R u SERIOUS ? pic.twitter.com/GVnUREiAVU

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 18, 2023

It's rare I get truly shocked by college basketball.

Tonight, I am.

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 18, 2023

For those who don’t know: Fairleigh Dickinson only made the First Four because of a technicality, they lost the NEC Tournament final. And now, they’ve made history. This is genuinely the best sporting event of the year. #MarchMadness #NCAA #Purdue

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 18, 2023

Purdue has taken the crown. Complete and utter meltdown of epic proportion three years in a row.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 18, 2023

Hard to beat any team shooting 4 for 24 from three.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 18, 2023

Purdue had a complete mental breakdown in the final minutes.

— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) March 18, 2023

Shout out to those FDU guards and to Tobin Anderson. That was awesome. Singleton, Roberts, Munden. They made Purdue's freshmen guards have a tough night.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 18, 2023

Every No. 1 seed that lost to a 16 seed won the national title the following season. Purdue is playing the long game https://t.co/5ocgo367r8

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) March 18, 2023