Bettor wins $528,000 after wagering $33k for 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson to beat top team Purdue… cashing in on one of the biggest upsets in March Madness history
March Madness has provided some March magic for Fairleigh Dickinson University – and one gambler has cashed in on that.
In response to a tweet by betting writer Darren Rovell, one user shared his friend’s wager of $33,000 on the Knights of FDU to down No. 1 seed Purdue.
His bet paid off, when Fairleigh Dickinson became the third 16-seeded team in NCAA Division I tournament history to knock off a one-seed.
The total payout came out to a whopping $528,000 on odds of +1500 for the victory for the school from Teaneck, New Jersey.
It’s one of the greatest upsets in the history of collegiate American sports – and a big pay day for this gambler.
Fairleigh Dickinson University of Teaneck, New Jersey pulled off a major upset over Purdue
One bettor won big – cashing in on a $528,000 prize from a stake of just $33k on Friday night
The bet was placed through DraftKings Sportsbook – which confirmed the authenticity of the bet to Rovell.
It just adds to the legend that may well be the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
While Fairleigh Dickinson is not the first 16 seed to down a No. 1 seed – with UMBC’s men’s team beating Virginia in 2018 and Harvard’s women’s team beating Stanford in 1998 – they may have had the most remarkable story to get to this point.
After winning only four games last season and firing their coach, the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson went 21-15 this year.
Under new head coach Tobin Anderson, FDU made the NCAA Tournament on a technicality after losing the Northeast Conference title game.
FDU’s opponents, Merrimack College, won the conference title. However, they couldn’t receive the conference’s automatic bid because they’re in the last year of a transition up to the NCAA’s Division 1. Therefore, Fairleigh Dickinson got the rights to play in the tournament.
After winning only four games last year, the Knights won 21 under new coach Tobin Anderson
Even after losing the Northeast Conference title, FDU made the tournament’s Round of 32
Unlike UMBC in 2018, Fairleigh Dickinson also needed to win a First Four play-in game to reach the Big Dance – defeating Texas Southern for the right to play on Friday.
Fairleigh Dickinson went into the tournament as the smallest team by average height, but still managed to grab 33 rebounds – including 11 offensive boards.
Forward Sean Moore led the way with 19 points and five boards for the Knights.
FDU will hope to keep the magic alive when they play ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic University on Sunday afternoon.