Bettor wins $528,000 after betting $33k on 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson to beat top-seeded Purdue… pulling off one of the biggest upsets in March Madness history
March Madness provided some March magic for Fairleigh Dickinson University – and one gambler took advantage of it.
In response in a tweet by the betting writer Darren Rovellone user shared his friend’s bet of $33,000 on the Knights of FDU to take down the No. 1 seed Purdue.
His bet paid off, as Fairleigh Dickinson became the third 16-seeded team in NCAA Division I tournament history to knock off a seed.
The total payout reached a whopping $528,000 at odds of +1500 for victory for the school from Teaneck, New Jersey.
It was one of the greatest upsets in the history of collegiate American sports – and a big payday for this gambler.
Fairleigh Dickinson University of Teaneck, New Jersey pulled off a huge upset over Purdue
One bettor won big – cashing in a $528,000 prize from a stake of just $33k last Friday night
The bet was placed through DraftKings Sportsbook – which confirmed the authenticity of the bet to Rovell.
It only adds to the legend of what might be the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history.
Although Fairleigh Dickinson was not the first 16 seed to fall to 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 the most impressive stories to reach this point.
After winning just 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 could not receive the conference’s automatic bid because they are in the final year of moving up to Division 1 of the NCAA. Therefore, Fairleigh Dickinson earned the rights to play in the tournament.
After winning just four games last year, the Knights have won 21 under new coach Tobin Anderson
Even after losing the Northeast Conference title, FDU made it to the Round of 32 of the tournament
Unlike UMBC in 2018, Fairleigh Dickinson also needed to win a First Four play-in game to reach the Big Dance – beating Texas Southern for the right to play Friday.
Fairleigh Dickinson entered the tournament as the smallest team in 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.
