North Carolina

MARCH MADNESS: Davidson dancin' after beating Rhode Island

WASHINGTON — When the Davidson team finally got back to the campus at midnight after Sunday night's game, the students went crazy - lining the sidewalks to welcome the team home.

"I was just excited to see us back in the tournament. It's always fun even if you don't make it deep," said student Brenson Kilinger.

"It's really exciting for them. It's definitely a change, an upgrade, from our last basketball season," said student Claudia Hernandez.

Davidson is a bit of a Cinderella team with a 12 seed and scheduled to face the University of Kentucky - the most successful basketball program in the country.

"Tough draw, but Cinderella, maybe the shoe fits right here," said freshman Pat Tabor.

After Davidson landed a spot in the Big Dance, NBA great Steph Curry tweeted - "It's a great day to be a Wildcat!"

The last incredible run the team made was 10 years ago when Curry was a student at Davidson College.

He led the team all the way to the Elite Eight after crushing several basketball institutions.

Now, these students are hoping for another thrilling run because that would be a win for the entire school.

"I think it's big time. If you just look around for applications, they call it the Doug Flutie effect. Doug Flutie played at Boston College their admissions soared, and I think the same thing happened here with Steph Curry if we make another run I think the same thing will happen again," said Tabor.

Davidson will take on Kentucky on Thursday night in Boise, Idaho. The game will be televised but if you want to be there in person booking a plane ticket will set you back at least $660.

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