In a normal year, a match-up between two of the greatest coaches of their generation (Tom Izzo and Coach K) or two future lottery picks (Ben McLemore and Trey Burke) would hog the spotlight in the NCAA Tournament's second weekend. Of course, in a normal year, a 15 seed wouldn't be playing in the Sweet 16.
2013 March Madness schedule: Can Florida Gulf Coast keep it up?
Some of the most storied programs in college basketball history will be in action on Friday night, but an upstart school from Fort Myers has caught the sports world’s eye.
Rob Carr
Florida Gulf Coast, an upstart school with an unconventional head coach and an unorthodox style of play, has taken over March, blowing past Georgetown and San Diego State last weekend. On Friday, the Eagles will continue their unlikely journey with a match-up against Florida in Cowboys Stadium. To put it in perspective, Billy Donovan has been coaching the Gators longer than FGCU has been holding classes.
And while this isn't one of the most talented teams Donovan has had in Gainesville, it still has future NBA players in the front-court (Patric Young and Erik Murphy) as well as an athletic and experienced group of perimeter players. "Dunk City" ran their first two opponents off the floor; it remains to be seen whether they can do the same to the Gators.
The undercard in the South Region is just as compelling, with Kansas taking on Michigan in a game between two of the most talented teams left in the field. On the other side of the bracket, Louisville will try to continue their dominating run through the first weekend when they take on Oregon while Duke and Michigan State are the nightcap.
Today’s schedule:
Louisville vs. Oregon: 7:15 p.m. ET (CBS)
Kansas vs. Michigan: 7:37 p.m. ET (TBS)
Michigan State vs. Duke: 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS)
Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida: 9:57 p.m. ET (TBS)
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