I still remember watching Eastern Washington’s first-round game last March and thinking, “Wait, who are these guys again?” I’ve followed college hoops for years, but I’ll admit—the Eagles weren’t exactly on my radar before their Cinderella run began. It’s funny how a team can come out of nowhere and capture the nation’s attention, kind of like how Alexandra Eala broke into the WTA Top 100 after that stunning Miami Open run in 2025. That’s the magic of sports, isn’t it? Underdogs turning into contenders when you least expect it.

Eastern Washington’s basketball program wasn’t always this promising. For years, they were just another mid-major team fighting for relevance. But something shifted last season—their offense became explosive, their defense tightened up, and suddenly they were beating teams nobody thought they could touch. I mean, they went from a 14-18 record the previous year to finishing 26-8 and earning a surprise at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. It reminds me of Eala’s unexpected march through the Miami Open, where she took down giants like Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko. You just don’t see that every day.

What really stood out to me was their style of play. They weren’t just scrappy—they played with a kind of fearless creativity that you usually only see from top-tier programs. Their ball movement was fluid, their three-point shooting was lights-out, and they had this uncanny ability to stay calm under pressure. I remember one game where they erased a 12-point deficit in under four minutes. It was electrifying. And honestly, it’s that kind of momentum that makes a team a legitimate March Madness contender, even if the so-called experts didn’t see it coming.

Let’s talk about their roster for a second. Eastern Washington didn’t have a single five-star recruit. Most of their starters were three-star prospects or transfers from smaller schools. But the coaching staff did an incredible job developing them. Take their point guard, for example—a junior who averaged just 6 points per game as a freshman but exploded for 18.5 points and 7 assists per game last season. That kind of growth is rare, and it’s a testament to the program’s player development. It’s a lot like how Eala refined her game over time, moving from a promising junior to someone who could compete with—and beat—the world’s best.

I’ve always believed that team chemistry is what separates good teams from great ones, and Eastern Washington had it in spades. You could tell these guys genuinely enjoyed playing together. They celebrated each other’s successes, covered for each other’s mistakes, and never seemed to get rattled, even in high-stakes games. That kind of unity is something you can’t coach, and it’s a huge reason why they became such a surprising March Madness contender. It’s the same intangible quality that often defines Cinderella stories, whether in college basketball or in tennis, like when Eala stunned Madison Keys in straight sets despite being the clear underdog.

Now, I know some people will say their success was a fluke, a lucky streak that won’t happen again. But I disagree. The foundation they’ve built is real. They’ve established a winning culture, and with most of their core players returning next season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make another deep run. In fact, I’d bet on it. They’ve shown that you don’t need a roster full of blue-chip recruits to compete at the highest level—you just need the right mix of talent, coaching, and belief.

Looking back, Eastern Washington’s rise feels like one of those stories that makes March Madness so special. It’s unpredictable, emotional, and proof that anything can happen when you least expect it. Just like Alexandra Eala’s breakthrough on the tennis court, the Eagles’ journey reminds us why we love sports. Underdogs can become contenders. Unknowns can become household names. And sometimes, the most surprising stories are the ones we remember long after the final buzzer sounds.