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March Madness 2023: Biggest winners and losers from opening weekend

By Drew Koch

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after losing to the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 18, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after losing to the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 18, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /
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March Madness, NCAA Tournament
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 19: Grant Singleton #4 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights celebrates a basket against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the second half in the second round game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. March Madness (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

In life, there are winners and losers. The same holds true for March Madness. Who were the biggest winners and loser from opening weekend in the NCAA Tournament.

March Madness always brings excitement and intrigue. This year, we saw a 16-seed upset a No. 1 seed for the second time in tournament history, an unexpected 15-seed out of the Ivy League make it to the Sweet 16, and Tom Izzo is up to his old tricks.

When that buzzer sounds, there is a winner and loser. Let’s look at the biggest winners and the biggest losers from the first weekend of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

March Madness: Biggest winners and losers of the 2023 NCAA Tournament

Fairleigh-Dickinson: Winner

No, the Knights could not make it two in a row. But if you, as a No. 16 seed, are going to take down a No. 1 for the second time in the history of the NCAA Tournament, then you’re going to leave as one of the biggest winners of the weekend.

No, Purdue was not a world-beater by any means and could have been considered the weakest of the top seeds in the tournament, but the Boilermakers certainly capable of taking down from the Northeast Conference that actually lost in their conference tournament.

Yes, in case you were unaware, Fairleigh-Dickinson had no business being in the NCAA Tournament. The Knights lost to Merrimack in their conference tournament, but because the Warriors were ineligible for the postseason, FDU took their place.

Fairleigh-Dickinson lost in Round 2, so let’s not give them too much credit. But if you make history, you’re at least going to be mentioned as one of the biggest winners of the weekend.

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