We got our first dash of madness this March when No. 13 Furman pulled off a 68-67 upset over No. 4 Virginia in the South Region.
THE FIRST UPSET OF THE MEN'S TOURNEY ‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 16, 2023
Furman wins it in the final seconds for its first tourney victory since 1974! pic.twitter.com/2D1DWsmNZa
Furman's JP Pegues hit a three-pointer — his one three made in the game — with 2.2 seconds remaining, and Virginia's last-ditch attempt to avoid the upset was off-target.
The winning shot was only possible after Virginia senior guard Kihei Clark took a page out of the Jakobi Meyers' playbook by attempting an ill-advised half-court heave that resulted in a turnover at midcourt. Furman intercepted the pass, which led to the go-ahead bucket.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2023
FURMAN WITH THE STEAL AND 3 TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 2.2 SECONDS REMAINING #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/fSCNKUzboq
What just happened?? The @Raiders win on the final play!! #NEvsLV pic.twitter.com/cmKNUuab1k
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022
People were rightfully shocked by the wild ending that delivered the first upset of the tournament.
FURMAAANNNNNN I LOVE MARCH
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 16, 2023
there is zero percent chance what happened in this virginia/furman game just happened there is no chance there is no way.
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 16, 2023
FURMAN!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 16, 2023
On the other side, Virginia's loss adds to a list of recent tournament failings, including a historic loss as the No. 1 overall seed to No. 16 seed UMBC in 2016. The Cavaliers did win the 2019 tournament, so don't feel too bad for them.
2018: 1st round loss to No. 16 UMBC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 16, 2023
2021: 1st round loss to No. 13 Ohio
2023: 1st round loss to No. 13 Furman
Pain for Virginia once again. pic.twitter.com/CZkXakIWb0
There will be more upsets to come later today and on Friday, but Furman set a high standard for others to match with its improbable comeback victory.
The No. 13 Paladins will try to keep their run going in the round of 32 against the winner of No. 5 San Diego State and No. 12 College of Charleston on Saturday.
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