Florida Atlantic University claimed its first Sweet 16 berth on Sunday, but instead of celebrating, head coach Dusty May had to give an apology. In the last seconds of the game, FAU sophomore guard Alijah Martin tried and failed to score a windmill dunk against Farleigh Dickinson, drawing boos from the audience for unsportsmanlike conduct. FAU had already secured their win against FDU 78 to 70, but Martin’s showmanship overshadowed their big victory.
“Not only did Alijah Martin try a windmill dunk as the clocks were running out against a 16 seed, but he missed it,” wrote one outraged fan. “Pathetic and embarrassing.”
Boos and jeers filled Nationwide Arena as the clock ran out. FAU’s basketball team had made program history with their win, but not everyone was celebrating.
“You shouldn’t do that,” one of the announcers said after Martin’s failed dunk.
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The camera panned to FAU head coach Dusty May, who appeared to be apologizing to FDU coach Tobin Anderson.
“Looks like he is apologizing,” an announcer noted. “He knows that Martin should not have done that.”
Florida Atlantic's Alijah Martin tries a huge dunk with the game out of hand in the final seconds and hears boos.
FAU head coach Dusty May appears to apologize to FDU head coach Tobin Anderson, who was upset.🏀 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Is2rIF8GJx
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 20, 2023
Tobin appeared to forgive May for his player’s disrespect and shook his hand, but the fans were less understanding on social media.
“Congrats FAU, you just became the least likable Cinderella in NCAA history,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Bad look after a well played game,” wrote another
“Alijah Martin Attempted The Unwritten Rule At The End Of The Game & Showed No Sportsmanship.”
Another commenter noted that Martin did not attend the post-game press conference, possibly because he knew what questions would have been hurled his way.
“Wonder why Alijah Martin didn’t show up to the post-game press conference.”
Wonder why Alijah Martin didn’t show up to the post game press conference. 😭 pic.twitter.com/7gSFQTNPyx
— Keegan Platt (@keegan_platt) March 20, 2023
Other fans defended Martin, saying that the outrage was undeserved.
“This really upset the FDU coach?” one fan asked. “This is FAU and their 1st trip to the Sweet 16; they’re not of the blue bloods.”
“Martin is actually a really nice kid. The entire staff and team are terrific people. His teammates already got on him for it, and I’m sure he feels badly. Not a huge deal.”
Martin is actually a really nice kid. The entire staff and team are terrific people. His teammates already got on him for it, and I’m sure he feels badly. Not a huge deal.
— GatorBrent (@gator_brent) March 20, 2023
Despite the controversy, coach May praised his team’s performance and celebrated FAU reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in its history. The team’s triumph over FDU is also just its second-ever NCAA tournament win.
“Hats off to FDU. Incredibly hard to prepare for. Such a tough matchup. And their scrappiness, physicality, was exceptional. We just made enough plays to win. We settled in against their press and just had enough in us.”
May also told reporters he hopes to continue making history and take FAU into the Elite Eight at the next game.
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