In the wake of what many are calling a “chalky” first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, you might have stumbled upon an obituary for Cinderella – the beloved underdog of March Madness. Pundits are quick to declare her dead, suggesting that the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era has forever changed the landscape of college basketball, eliminating the chances for those unexpected teams to make a deep run.

However, let's hit pause on that narrative. The truth is, Cinderella isn’t really gone – she’s just resting. In fact, her legacy is alive and well, much like it was in the 2016-2019 stretch before the current college basketball environment shifted.

During those years, Gonzaga was the only “mid-major” to shine brightly in the Sweet 16, and they often entered as a No. 1 seed, making the notion of a traditional Cinderella story seem misleading. This year, while it's true that all teams remaining in the Sweet 16 are considered high-major programs, the story isn’t as dire as it appears.

Recent years have proven that underdogs can still rise to the occasion, despite arguments that NIL and the ability for players to transfer without penalty have sculpted a rigid hierarchy in college basketball. Just look at 2022 when No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s pulled off historic upsets to reach the Elite Eight. One year later, FDU shocked the world by being only the second No. 16 seed in NCAA history to defeat a No. 1 seed, just a season removed from a dismal 4-22 campaign. Also, No. 15 seed Princeton made it to the Sweet 16 in 2023, further proving that unexpected contenders still have a place in March Madness.

Critics will argue this year's Sweet 16 lineup suggests the inevitability of results favoring high-majors, largely due to conference realignments and consolidation. Take BYU, for instance, which recently transitioned to the Big 12; their transformation has changed how they are perceived after years of struggling to break into the tournament.

Moreover, last year's outcome featured 15 high-major teams, with only San Diego State acting as an outlier – a No. 5 seed coming off a Final Four showing. Haven’t we often shoehorned teams like NC State into Cinderella categories, even when they boast an impressive championship pedigree?

In the spirit of March Madness, we're still on the edge of our seats, aware that teams like No. 11 seed Drake, who defeated the No. 6 seed from the powerful SEC, display the resilience that characterizes Cinderella moments. Even No. 12 seed McNeese scored its inaugural NCAA Tournament victory, showcasing the ongoing potential of underdogs.

In reality, while this season might not have featured the expected Cinderella stories, it doesn't spell doom for the narrative of the underdog in college basketball. FAU, FDU, Princeton, and Saint Peter’s remind us that the magic of March Madness persists, albeit in unexpected forms during this transformative era.

So, although this year may not have produced the classic glass slipper moment, don't write off Cinderella just yet. History has a way of presenting surprises, and as fans, we can only hope for her triumphant return to the big dance soon!