High Point University student radio announcers Jimmy Rosselli and Griffin Wright captured the essence of March Madness with their frenzied call during the Panthers’ 83-82 upset victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday.
The 12th-seeded Panthers achieved the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win in Portland.
In the final seconds, Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd drove inside seeking a layup, but High Point’s Owen Aquino delivered a game-sealing block. Rosselli went wild with a call that encompasses the emotion of March Madness.
“Blocked! There it is! There it is! Throw on the glass slipper! It’s a Cinderella story in Portland, Oregon! Ooooh, what a feeling! For the first time in program history,” Rosselli shouted.
Color man Wright erupted in disbelief: “This is not real, Jim! This is not real!”
The raw, passionate broadcast went viral, building on their fame from last year’s tournament. Rosselli called it a lifelong dream, while Wright admitted emotions overtook protocol. Fans hailed it as the tournament’s best moment.
