Furman Basketball is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over 40 years. In their opening round matchup later this week, The Paladins will take on a program that won the National Title in 2019, but also has a history of being upset, early on.
1980 was the last time Furman won the SoCon Tournament and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. The Paladins held a selection show event on campus Sunday evening, as part of the national TV coverage from CBS. Furman learned their opening round opponent will be , ACC Regular Season Champs and Tournament Runner-Up, Virginia.
The Cavaliers are the 4 seed in the South Region, making Furman the 13 seed. That is the same seed Chattanooga drew last year, as the SoCon Representative.
Furman is 1-7 all-time and is is looking for their 1st win in the NCAA Tournament since the 1970's. They'll also look to become the 32nd team to upset a 4 seed. The last time it happened was 2021, when two 13 seeds pulled upsets. That year, North Texas stunned Purdue and ironically, Ohio downed Virginia.
The Cavalier program has been upset twice in the first round, in their last three tournament appearances. Furman will take on Virginia Thursday in Orlando, hear all the action on The Fan Upstate.