How will Purdue’s athletic department remember March 17, 2023? That’s a complicated question.
In one respect, it will not be remembered well at all. The Boilermakers, the top seed in the East Region of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, were on the wrong end of a 63-58 final score against No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson. Given that’s only the second time in the history of the tournament that a No. 16 seed beat a No. 1 seed, it’ll be a hard loss for Purdue to stomach.
But elsewhere in the athletic department, the Boilermakers scored a win that might even be a bigger upset.
Iowa’s Spencer Lee was heavily favored to win the 125-pound division at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Tulsa. Lee was going for his fourth championship. And carrying a late lead, there was no reason to believe that Lee wouldn’t at least get into the finals.
But Ramos battled back to tie the match. Then, with only seconds remaining in the third round, he did the unthinkable. Ramos not only beat Lee, but he pinned him.
Amazing scene at the Division I Wrestling Championships. Iowa's Spencer Lee, going for his fourth national championship, loses in the semifinals.
His mother was quite upset with it. pic.twitter.com/uHIXOvMIFx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 18, 2023
Following the match, ESPN’s camera’s caught Lee’s mother breaking her glasses in frustration. The reaction to that overshadowed the larger story.
Matt Ramos pinned Spencer Lee. Lee is not only the best collegiate wrestler in the world today but he’s arguably the greatest ever. He was vying for his fourth national championship, something only four other men have done in history. To show how rare that is, 12 people have walked on the moon.
In the aftermath of the incredible upset, wrestling fans marked the occasion.
MATT RAMOS DOES THE UNTHINKABLE!
PINS SPENCER LEE.
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) March 18, 2023
MATT RAMOS JUST PULLED THE UPSET OF THE DECADE OVER THREE TIME CHAMP SPENCER LEE pic.twitter.com/TGcOA27txV
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 18, 2023
A major upset at 125 pounds in the NCAA Championships: Matt Ramos of Purdue just tossed top-seeded Spencer Lee to his back in the semis and pins him. Wow. The upset of the tournament and the season.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) March 18, 2023
Down Goes No. 1:
Matt Ramos (Purdue), trailing 7-5 with less than one minute remaining in the final period of the match, pins top-ranked Spencer Lee (Iowa).
Goliath has been slain. pic.twitter.com/irPM8cG6th
— Daniel Allen (@danielallen1738) March 18, 2023
Matt Ramos beating Spencer Lee is a bigger upset than FDU beating Purdue. Do not @ me
— Beneath The Paint (@BeneathThePaint) March 18, 2023
Dan Gable lost to Larry Owings. Spencer Lee loses to Matt Ramos.
Gable went on to win gold in '72 and didn't give up a point.
The moment is devastating – but if there's one thing we've learned, one loss is not definitive of a legacy.
— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) March 18, 2023
