Pair of mid-majors battle for respect

DENVER -- Demonte Harper did more than just put Morehead State basketball on the map.

Thanks to his game-winning three-pointer that sealed an emotional 62-61 victory over in-state rival Louisville on Thursday, online college applications to the tiny university shot through the roof.

Just 200 applications had been received on Wednesday, but 3,000 were submitted the day after the 13th-seeded Eagles bounced Rick Pitino and the fourth-seeded Cardinals from the NCAA Tournament.

The Morehead State players have been bombarded with Facebook posts, text messages and voicemails in the wake of their stunning victory over Louisville, but they said they've moved past it and now are focused on the next obstacle: 12th-seeded Richmond.

Of all the unlikely bracket matchups, these two Cinderella stories are the most improbable: A 12 seed playing a 13 seed for a spot in the Sweet 16.

But despite their history of low tournament seedings -- and Thursday's 69-66 upset of fifth-seeded Vanderbilt -- the Spiders (28-7) hate being considered the underdog. And like Morehead State, they're made up of players who were overlooked by big-time programs during the recruiting process.

Another thing both programs have in common is veteran leadership.

"With guys going to the NBA early, it's more difficult for the high-major teams to sustain greatness," Richmond coach Chris Mooney said. " . . . Whereas for us, a team that starts four seniors, guys who have played well over 100 games, a lot of postseason games, a mid-major team can kind of catch up to a high-major team because of that experience."

The Eagles (25-9) likely will have an advantage on the boards with 6-8 Kenneth Faried, the NCAA's leading rebounder and a potential NBA first-round draft pick.

"We are trying to be that Cinderella team, the team that people root for. I mean, we must have messed up a lot of people's brackets lately," he said with a smile.

Richmond runs a fast-paced Princeton-type offense that utilizes a lot of ball screens and plays to the Spiders' strengths. But stopping Faried inside will be one of their main goals.

"He's going to go in and try to bull his way into the post," Richmond point guard Kevin Anderson said. "If he misses, try to get a rebound. He's really aggressive, physical. He's big. I mean, it's going to be tough to stop him."

Win or lose Saturday, folks back home in rural Morehead will be talking for years to come about the Eagles' win over Louisville.

"People just were so ecstatic about it, I think they burned Morehead down now," Faried joked. " Everybody's just excited that we got the win and beat Louisville, an in-state team. How good their program is, is just that much sweeter."

Said Ty Proffitt: "Where I'm from in southeastern Kentucky, everybody is a Kentucky fan. Everybody hates Louisville. So everyone has been calling, thanking me, Facebooking me, texting me. Just so happy that we beat Louisville."