March Madness Update: Florida Gulf Coast U Does it Again

Few thought they could win one game in the Tournament, but it has happened in the past (No. 15 seed winning a game) so we all knew it was possible. When it came to the Round of 32 though--no chance. Come on! These guys are a no name school (wish I had heard of it back in my college days) from a no name conference (I say that with love) more famous for the hot wife of the head coach than their basketball (at least prior to Tournament time).

Not to mention that no 15 seed has ever made it past the Round of 32 into the Sweet Sixteen before. So history was against these guys, right?



How better to cement your status as the ultimate Cinderella team other than to buck historical trends and rewrite the books?

That is exactly what the Eagles from FGCU have done first with an improbable upset of No. 2 seed Georgetown and now with another upset, this time of No. 7 seed San Diego State, 81-71.

Both sides played a solid first half that saw neither team lead by more than five and numerous lead changes along the way. At the end of the period fans knew they had a good one on their hands as the Aztecs took a one point lead into the break, 35-34.

After Xavier Thames cut the FGCU lead down to two with a layup and 11:35 to go Coach Enfield called a timeout, regrouped the troops, and then it was on! A 17-0 run over the next seven minutes put the Eagles ahead to stay.

With the 81-71 win Florida Gulf Coast became the first No. 15 seed in the history of the tournament to advance to the Sweet 16.

I'd say that gives them every right to do this: