With March Madness right around the corner, let us take a moment to remember one of the most exciting and wild runs from any team in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament: 2013 Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles.
Florida Gulf Coast University History
Prior to their tournament run, FGCU had only existed for 16 years. The 2012-2013 season marked their sixth year in Division 1 men’s basketball and only their second year of postseason eligibility.
The Magical Run
To earn their spot in the big dance, the Eagles won five straight games, capped by a victory over the top-seeded Mercer in the Atlantic Sun Conference championship. They earned a 15-seed and drew the powerhouse Georgetown Hoyas in the first round. That is when the madness began. Nobody gave them a shot to win this game, and they used a 21-2 second-half run to pull off a major upset, winning 78-68.
Next up was Sand Diego State University, a seven seed. FGCU once again shocked the world with an 81-71 victory to advance to the sweet 16. Similar to their win over Georgetown, FGCU used a 17-0 run in the second half to pull off this upset. Unfortunately, the third-seeded Florida Gators got the best of FGCU with a final score of 62-50.
Electric Basketball
Part of what makes this run so special was the fact that a 15 seed advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. It is not just what they did, it is how they did it. Most upsets in the tournament occur when teams are able to slow the game down, play good defense, and limit their opponent’s possessions.
FGCU did the exact opposite of that. They played with a buzzing energy and captivated the world with alley-oops, monstrous dunks, and a high-flying spirit. This team had the perfect mixture of entertainment value, skill, and a feel-good story that made them the most beloved team in the country.
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