What now, Florida?

Believe it or not, sometimes the favorites aren't the teams to root for during post-season action. This is especially true in college hoops. A few years back, everybody remembers George Mason’s huge run in the NCAA tournament. Before Stephan Curry was a near All-Star guard in the NBA, he helped his Alma Mater make an unheralded run at the title that even had King James himself taking notice of the young player. For this year’s NCAA tournament, the Cinderella team is none other than Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles.

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a 15^th ranked team who has made a run all the way to the Sweet 16. In fact, FGCU is the first 15^th ranked team to ever make the Sweet 16. Their rout of the seventh-ranked San Diego State Aztecs gave them the opportunity to not only make it to the dance, but also step on the floor.

Before getting the chance to take on SDSU, the Eagles first had to get through the number two ranked Georgetown Hoyas. The Hoyas definitely had history on their side, as well as being huge favorites. Though the deck was stacked against them, the Eagles upset the Hoyas 78-68 to advance to the next round. This was a huge shocker for the storied university.

In the game against SDSU, Bernard Thompson of the Eagles had 23 points to lead the team. Teammate Sherwood Robinson added 17 points for another 10-point victory over a higher ranked team. The Eagles won 81-71 to earn their spot in the Sweet 16.

While their previous victories have been impressive, FGCU now faces a familiar opponent in the third-ranked Florida Gators. They will meet up on the last Friday of March 2013 in the South Region showdown in Dallas, Texas. Florida made a mockery of their first-round opponent of Northwestern State, and had a commanding victory over Minnesota in the second round.

Photo courtesy of FGCU