So far, this year’s NCAA tournament has been one of the best in recent memory. From the incredibly impressive upsets and underdog stories, to the disappointments of some of the best teams in the regular season, nobody could have predicted this year’s final four.

This year is the first tournament ever that there is not  a number one, two or three seeded team in the final four and just the third time in history where a number one seeded team didn’t make it to the final four.

Many lower seeded teams proved that they belong and really showed up on the biggest stage. The FDU Knights from Teaneck, NJ absolutely came out of nowhere as a sixteen seed who did not even win their conference. This team showed up when it matters most and took down 7 ‘4 Zach Edey and number one seeded Purdue in a David vs Goliath matchup. This is just the second team in history this has happened as number one seeded teams hold a 150-2 all time record vs sixteen seeded teams.

Another NJ school also showed out in the bright lights and that is fifteen seeded ivy league Princeton. The Tigers started their tournamnt run by beating historically dominant two-seeded Arizona and followed that up with an impressive showing against Missouri. The tigers danced all the way to the sweet sixteen and really put New Jersey basketball on centerstage.

Finally, the Owls from Florida Atlantic University have been unbelievably consistent this tournament; they had incredibly impressive showings against four-seeded Tennessee, eighth-seeded Memphis and three-seeded Kansas State. FAU has really demonstrated real team basketball and that seems to be their identity. The Owls look to continue this impressive run with a win over San Diego State and potentially be the first nine seed to win the national championship. That current record is held by 8th seeded Villanova that won in 1985.  

Many players have really shown out, when it matters. A player that has caught everyone’s eye is Kansas State guard Marquis Nowell. Nowell stands an underwhelming five foot eight, however, don’t let that fool you. Nowell played his heart out in a twenty-point nineteen-assist performance against powerhouse Michigan State and before that knocked off six-seeded blue-blood Kentucky with a twenty-seven point nine assist performance. “Heart over height” is a quote Nowell stands by and demonstrates accurately. The New York native turned a lot of heads and soon after exiting the tournament declared for the NBA draft. 

Clearly, we’ve had our fair share of surprises and there quite possibly could be more in store with the Final Four beginning on Saturday. The two semifinal games featuring UConn vs Miami and FAU vs San Diego State will be followed by the national championship on Monday.