Both the Purdue Boilermakers and the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights joined an elite club in the history of the men’s NCAA tournament, but for one side it’s elation and the other anguish. For the No. 16 seed FDU, they become just the second team — joining 2018’s UMBC squad that knocked off Virginia — to upset a No. 1 seed.
Purdue now grabs a seat next to Virginia in an exclusive club neither one wants to be in. The Cavaliers went on to win the 2019 NCAA tournament with a magical run that included a miracle play against Purdue. Since that heartbreak, the Boilermakers have lost to No. 13 seed North Texas (2021), No. 15 seed St. Peter’s (2022) and now No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson (2023).
