A hollowed-out German Shepherd replica named Buddy has become the unlikely heart of Queens University's men's basketball team as they prepare for their NCAA tournament debut. The 15-seed Royals, making their first appearance in the tournament, face 2-seed Purdue in St. Louis, with Buddy serving as their unofficial mascot and spirit animal. Coach Grant Leonard described the dog as embodying the team's "street dog mentality" of scrappy, relentless play.

Buddy isn't just a mascot - he's a trophy awarded after each game to the player who makes the unheralded plays that don't show up in the box score. The tradition began when players told coaches they were "dogs," prompting assistant coach Adam Short to ask if they were pampered pets or scrappy survivors. This season, the Charlotte-based private school finished third in the American Sun Conference and earned an NCAA bid by defeating Central Arkansas in overtime during the conference championship.

As Queens prepares to face Purdue, a team featuring players from their 2024 national championship runner-up squad, the Royals hope their versatility and shooting depth can produce an upset. Senior guard Nasir Mann believes their ability to space the floor and get hot at any moment could be dangerous in March Madness. Regardless of Friday's outcome at Enterprise Center, Buddy will be courtside, ready to celebrate what could be a historic moment for the Charlotte program.