Fairleigh Dickinson delivered on coach Tobin Anderson's pre-game optimism as they beat Purdue, but he was not content to settle for "one of the most unbelievable stories of all".

FDU became just the second 16-seed ever to advance at the NCAA Tournament with Friday's sensational 63-58 win.

Purdue had won the regular season title and the Big Ten Tournament this year, but Anderson was confident his underdogs could cause an upset.

Indeed, following the Knights' win in their play-in game, Anderson told the team: "The more I watch Purdue, the more I think we can beat them. Let's go shock the world."

FDU did exactly that, with the coach gushing in his latest post-game message to his players – while he also outlined a desire to keep this fairytale run going.

"We outplayed them for 40 minutes, we were the better team for 40 minutes," Anderson said.

"Our style was tremendous. We played how we had to, we played how we had to play. Unbelievable team effort, unbelievable approach.

"Listen, you just made history boys. You just made friggin' history, college basketball history tonight. After four wins last year, this whole team together... it is one of the most unbelievable stories of all – and that's all on you guys.

"Listen, we're playing pretty damn well now. Hydrate, do all the stuff we have to do, and we can do something even more.

"Hey, we are going to enjoy this, and I am so proud of you. What an unbelievable, special moment for the rest of our lives."

This will go down as perhaps the biggest upset in March Madness history, yet it also felt painfully familiar for Purdue.

The Boilermakers lost to 15-seed Saint Peter's last year, becoming the first team to lose consecutive NCAA Tournament games against 15-seeds or worse – excluding the First Four.

Purdue coach Matt Painter acknowledged his team would have to "sit in it", adding: "There's nothing you can say that's going to change it, right?

"I mean, it stinks. They outplayed us. They out-coached us. I think that's the one thing as a coach that you always face, and you'll get ridiculed. You'll get shamed, you'll get whatever.

"It's basketball. You've got to get better. You've got to keep fighting to get yourself in this position and then be better. And that's what we have to do."

Boilermakers center Zach Edey had been one of the most dominant players in college basketball this year, averaging 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, but his 21 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks were not enough.

There will be discussion now around Edey's future amid doubts about his suitability to the NBA, with Painter saying his "level-headed" star would "take the information in and make a decision and do what's best for him".

The coach added: "He's a good dude. It's too bad. He deserves better than this. He deserves better."