Fdu Believe It

The untold story of the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history

On March 17, 2023, one game shattered everything we thought we knew about college basketball. In what was expected to be a routine opening-round game in the NCAA men's tournament, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson University stunned powerhouse No. 1 Purdue in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

The mismatch was undeniable even before the ball was tipped. Since the tournament expanded in 1985, No. 16 seeds had gone 1-150 against No. 1 seeds. Purdue, led by dominant All-American center Zach Edey, entered as a national title contender and a 20-plus-point favorite. Undersized and overlooked, FDU had to fight through the First Four just to get a ticket to the dance.

In FDU Believe It?, authors Jerry and Tom Caraccioli take readers inside the moments that fueled a team few thought had a chance. Drawing on firsthand perspectives and behind-the-scenes access, they reconstruct the decisions, adjustments, and mindset that turned a heavy underdog into a historic winner, reminding us why we watch sports in the first place.