And just like that, the “favorite” to emerge from the East Region has turned to dust yet again.
Just five days after out-muscling the Duke Blue Devils and changing the course of Madison Square Garden history, the Tennessee Volunteers showed up to battle a three-loss (but seemingly undermanned) FAU Owls squad … and lost handily after building a significant first-half lead.
FAU’s 18-2 run eventually pushed the Vols into the rearview mirror, and the not-so-skittish Owls were able to hold off a Tennessee team that … I’m told is still coached by Rick Barnes?
Huh. Didn’t see him too much in that second half.
SEC football fans certainly felt like this one ended with a familiar outcome.
And just like in football, Tennessee losing to a team they probably shouldn't. https://t.co/VHYLUAhAgR
— Michael Collins (@MCFanSided) March 24, 2023
Twitter reacts to FAU Owls vs Tennessee Volunteers in Sweet 16
Of course this looked like a hard-fought game won in the trenches. It was the Lane Kiffin Bowl!
The Battle of @Lane_Kiffin just got interesting 👀 pic.twitter.com/XDSWfwXGcL
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) March 24, 2023
Nothing flashy. Just getting the job done.
Most importantly, America learned the true meaning of FAU in this beautiful late game.
FAU stands for F*ck AroUnd and find out
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) March 24, 2023
You didn’t just see the Owls compete. You saw the Owls cock their heads to the side and turn 360 skeptically.
FAU IS MOVING ON TO THE ELITE EIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY 👏 pic.twitter.com/OxgKrITM7t
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 24, 2023
And no, sadly, this year was … not different for Rick Barnes.
Rick Barnes pulling up to the second weekend of the tournament every year pic.twitter.com/kpIoxPAy99
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 24, 2023
That’s … one Final Four. Stuck on one.
It does not feel good to refer to this elbow as the official exclamation point on the meltdown. Doesn’t feel good at all.
Rick Barnes really does teach these guys to completely self-destruct in March https://t.co/KMcQZa39ie
— The College Basketball Stories Podcast (@theCBBstories) March 24, 2023
Now, it’s up to America to determine which is their actual darling: FAU or Markquis Nowell.
FAU TO THE ELITE EIGHT pic.twitter.com/glBfMRbyr9
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) March 24, 2023
Saturday. It all goes down on Saturday at the World’s Most Famous Arena.