VCU Stuns UNC in Upset; Martelli Jr. Credits Resilience

VCU Rallies from 19 Down to Shock UNC in OT Thriller

In a stunning upset that had fans on the edge of their seats, the 11th-seeded VCU Rams pulled off a dramatic overtime victory against the sixth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. The Rams fought back from a massive 19-point deficit to secure the win, showcasing a level of resilience that has defined their season.

Resilience is the Name of the Game for VCU

After the emotional win, VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. joined SportsCenter to discuss the incredible comeback. When asked what turned the game around, Martelli Jr. pointed to his team’s unwavering spirit. “This group has been resilient from the get-go,” he stated. “They’re the most resilient group I’ve ever been around as a player, coach, doesn’t matter.”

He recalled an early-season game against Utah State where the Rams also faced a significant deficit, going down by 17 points. Even then, Martelli Jr. saw the potential for success. “I knew then I was like, this group has a resilience about them that will let them be successful,” he explained. “And we’ve done it a number of times throughout the season. And you know, this was a kind of the perfect microcosm of that.” The victory over North Carolina was indeed a perfect example of their ability to overcome adversity.

A Family Affair on the Sidelines

The win was particularly special for Coach Martelli Jr., given his deep family ties to coaching. His father, the legendary former Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli Sr., was in attendance. “Yeah, I mean, it’s incredibly special,” Martelli Jr. said about sharing the moment with his dad. He also mentioned his father-in-law, who coaches at St. Paul Catholic, his brother and brother-in-law who are on his staff, and his wife, who played in a national championship game. “My wife played, she played at Eastern Connecticut, won she went to the national championship game,” he shared. “So, that was the first thing she said to me as soon as I walked off the court. She said, you know, it’s nice you won one game in the NCAA tournament, but I went to the national championship game.”

Reflecting on his father’s coaching career, Martelli Jr. expressed the profound joy of experiencing similar emotions. “You know, specifically for my dad, you know, I’ve been on that side, right? And he lived and died and sat in the stands and watched those games and you know, had that pride and that joy,” he said. “Watching him do what he did at a high level for so long, you know, and then to be able to walk off and see him with that same look in his eye is really awesome.”

Looking Ahead: Focus on the Next Challenge

This victory marks VCU’s first NCAA Tournament win in 10 years. Now, the Rams must quickly shift their focus to their next opponent, the winner of the Illinois and Penn game. “Well, part of the strategy was to make our game go as long as possible so that they didn’t tip off till pretty late,” Martelli Jr. joked about the scheduling. “We have to get refocused. We’ve been talking about this all March. Get refocused and be ready to go.”

He acknowledged that both potential opponents are strong teams. “Whatever the challenge is, either of those teams are champions. They’re here for a reason,” Martelli Jr. noted. “We’ll have to lock in tomorrow. It’ll be more of a mental day than a physical day for sure. But we’ll have to lock in mentally and be ready to go, which you know, with a game that could be early on Saturday, if it is.” The team will prioritize mental preparation to be ready for whatever comes next.

VCU Embodies March Madness Spirit

Coach Martelli Jr. seems perfectly suited for the excitement and unpredictability of March Madness. He finds calm amidst the chaos, leading his VCU team on what could be a memorable tournament run. The Rams have certainly provided one of the early stories of the tournament, and the journey is just beginning. Martelli Jr. also mentioned his past connection to Bristol, where ESPN is located, through his wife’s previous work there, even joking about visiting the studio if they win the national championship.

Source: Phil Martelli Jr. credits VCU’s resiliency after OT win vs. UNC | SportsCenter (YouTube)