• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 16, 2025

From Payrolls to Arenas, Cinderellas Are Often Underdogs Off the Court

  • Cinderella stories are inevitable during March Madness.
  • There are a number of potential feel-good stories on tap this year.
Stetson
Daytona Beach News-Journal

Fans love March Madness for many reasons, whether it’s the chance to sneak in some basketball viewing at work or cash in on an office bracket pool contest. But perhaps one of the most universally endeared parts of the NCAA tournament is the inevitable David vs. Goliath upsets that bust said brackets and the ensuing Cinderella stories that follow.

Who will the shoe fit at this year’s dance? Well, we’re not bracketologists, but we do already notice a few schools that could make for some larger-than-life stories with an unforeseen win or two this month. While the Final Four may very well end up fairly chalk, it’s worth taking a closer look at some of the most interesting candidates that could produce this year’s feel-good stories.

Debut Ready

After decades without success, two 16-seeds have taken down the top team in their quadrants in the last five tournaments (UMBC over Virginia in 2018, Fairleigh Dickinson over Purdue last year). This year’s ultimate underdog crew is highlighted by NCAA tournament newbie Stetson (above), which won the ASUN with an estimated men’s basketball budget of just $2.1 million (according to most recent figures from ’22).

Back for More

Returning this year is No. 15 Saint Peter’s, the bracket buster of 2022 that upset No. 2 Kentucky on its way to a historic Elite Eight run, which led to its coach, Shaheen Holloway, getting poached by Seton Hall. But not to be outdone is fellow 15-seed Long Beach State, which informed coach Dan Monson he would not return next season, only for his team to win the Big West tournament and their first NCAA bid since ’12.

Crowd Control

No. 14 Colgate is coming out of the Patriot League for the school’s seventh March Madness appearance, and the Raiders will be in unfamiliar territory for their matchup against No. 3 Baylor at the 19,000-seat FedExForum in Memphis. Colgate’s 1,750-seat Cotterell Court is the smallest home arena of any team in the tournament. 

Despite not boasting anywhere near the largest campuses of teams in the bracket, 13-seeds Charleston (about 10,000 undergrads), Vermont (11,000), and Yale (6,500) are making at least their seventh tournament appearance, and all have one previous upset tournament victory on their résumé.

Coach ’Em Up

Perhaps the most interesting of the 12-seeds is McNeese State, the western Louisiana school led by former LSU coach Will Wade, who was fired in 2022 after several NCAA violation allegations. Wade, who took last season off, saw his salary drop from $2.5 million in Baton Rouge to $200,000 this year. But he’s already earned a contract extension that will pay him at least $700,000 annually, if he doesn’t get hired elsewhere. Meanwhile, No. 11 Duquesne, making its first tournament appearance since 1977, will be fighting hard for coach Keith Dambrot, who announced he will retire after March Madness, concluding a career that included coaching LeBron James in high school.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB Balls Are ‘Different’ This Season, per Andrew McCutchen

Scoring is down a touch across the league this season.

USMNT–Pulisic Drama Hits Gold Cup as FIFA’s Club World Cup Looms

The Gold Cup is being played at the same time as FIFA’s Club World Cup.

NBA Offseason Begins During Finals As Magic Trade Huge Package For Bane

Orlando is sending four first-round picks to Memphis for the star guard.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
UT

Zakai Zeigler Denied Injunction for Fifth Year at Tennessee

The former Tennessee guard sued the NCAA over potential lost NIL earnings.
Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Leilani Kapinus (5) looks to pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
June 11, 2025

Group of Women Athletes Files Appeal of House v. NCAA Settlement Approval

It’s the first appeal of the landmark settlement, which was approved Friday.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Zach Kraft (1) shoots the ball on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
June 12, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement Is Here. Non-Power Conference Schools Still Have Questions

D-I administrators still have questions they haven’t gotten answered.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Ohio State
June 10, 2025

Men’s College Basketball Adds Coach’s Challenge, but No Quarters—Yet

The NBA adopted the challenge rule before the 2019–20 season. 
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) asks a question during at a House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing on antisemitism in K-12 schools on May 8, 2024 in Washington.
June 10, 2025

House Reps Introduce Two Drafts of Pro-NCAA College Sports Legislation

Both bills would satisfy the NCAA and power conferences’ congressional wishlist.
Angela Suggs
June 10, 2025

Florida A&M Athletic Director Arrested For Credit Card Fraud 

Angela Suggs turned herself into authorities Monday.
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Latrell Caples (3) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.
exclusive
June 9, 2025

Boise State Expects Private-Equity Investment ‘Within the Next Six Months’

The Broncos are “actively considering” PE investment.