This is my favorite time of year. I also say that phrase about five other times when different sports go down to the wire. But this has to be the best. In less than a month, 1 team out of 68 will be crowned NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Champions. But just as those teams are about to embark in a month of mayhem to see who comes out on top, you are also most likely eyeing a struggle of your own: the bracket. Whether it's with your co-workers, friends, schoolmates, or family, you have to win! However, that's a lot easier said than done. The key to picking a winning bracket, is not only picking the winner, but making sure one of your final four teams doesn't get upset. Here is where I come in. This is a list of 10 potential sleeper teams, or teams that could pull off an upset or two, and maybe even become the next Butler:
Not a true sleeper team, getting a 5 seed, but the Shockers are a team that I believe can go far in the tournament. They have a very winnable matchup against 12 seed VCU, and would play the winner of Indiana, and New Mexico State. They finished ranked number 16 in the AP Poll, and boast a 16-2 record in the very difficult Missouri Valley Conference. The Shockers are a veteran team with great senior leadership, led by Joe Ragland's 48% from behind the arc. This balanced attack can adapt to any style of play: they can slow it down, run-and-gun, or pound it into the paint. They have good wins against Creighton, UNLV, and a 17 point thrashing of Davidson. This is a scary team to play.
Colorado was not supposed to get into the tournament after an up and down year in the Pac 12. But they went on an absolute tear in the Pac 12 tournament, beating Arizona for the title, and earning an automatic bid. This team is a sleeper simple because they are hot. After winning a tight contest against Oregon, they beat favorite Cal by 11, playing their way to an 11 seed. They play a streaky UNLV team in the first round. If Colorado can contain the potent play of UNLV forward Mike Moser, and continue their hot shooting, it might be their time to pull an upset or two.
The Jackrabbits, a 14 seed, champions out of the Summit League, are the perfect team to pull an upset. They have an incredible guard in Nate Wolters, who averages 21.3 points, and 6.0 assists per game. Though he only shoots 24% from three point, the rest of the team nails 43% from deep. The Jackrabbits do lack in size in the post, but they have a tantalizing matchup with Baylor. Baylor is a very good and athletic team, but they have been plagued by inconsistency, especially in big games. South Dakota State, with their solid guard play, could be the perfect team to take advantage of this. They only allow 57.3 points a game, and they must slow it down like that if they are to beat Baylor.
I absolutely love this team. They have the perfect combination of good shooting guards, and big men that can run the floor. As a 12 seed, they played one of the toughest schedules in the nation, having a "go anywhere, play anybody" mentality. This has paid off, as they went 15-1 in Big West play. They are battle tested, and will not be intimidated by big games, or tough opponents. They beat Pittsburgh and Xavier, and played Kansas, UNC, and Louisville tough. They play New Mexico, a 5 seed, in the first round. New Mexico is a ferocious squad, who attacks the boards very well. Can Long Beach State prevail, behind the dynamic guard play of Casper Ware and Larry Anderson.
Davidson (25-7):
To say that the Wildcats can shoot the three is an understatement. They are one of the better three point shooting teams in the country, and are also a very clutch free throw shooting team as well. They beat Kansas by 6 on the road, which was the highlight win of their season. But it took them 2 overtimes to beat Western Carolina in the Southern Conference Championship. Another good strength of Davidson is their ability to rebound, averaging 38.9 per game, which is good for 19th in the country. But all of that is about to be tested, when they take on 4 seed Louisville, fresh of a victory in the Big East tournament. But as we well know, a team that can shoot the three is always capable of an upset!
The Rams have squeaked their way into the tournament, receiving an 11 seed, out of an unusually good Mountain West Conference. They had an 8-6 conference record, with good wins against UNLV, San Diego State, and New Mexico. They don't have much of a post presence, but can knock down the three. Led by Wes Eikmeier, they are one of the better three point shooting teams in the country, and one that you can never count out of a game. However, they are taking on one of the best three point shooting teams in the country, Murray State, who finished the season 30-1. Can Colorado State stick with the Racers long enough to pull off an upset? We will see!
Southern Mississippi (25-8):
The Golden Eagles, a 9 seed out of Conference-USA, have plenty of late game experience. They have had 5 overtime games, with two going into double overtime. One of these double overtime games was a loss to Murray State. They play Kansas State for their first game, and are liable to take down anyone with their outstanding depth. They have six players that score between 9.5 and 12.2 points per game. But will this balanced attack be enough to knock off the Wildcats?
The Grizzlies, or "The Griz" as they are known, have played their way to a 13 seed, strutting a 15-1 conference record in the Big Sky. They have won their last 14 games, and are a solid all-around team. They -have size in 7-footer Derek Selvig, but have yet to face a test. They are getting one in their first game, however. The Wisconsin Badgers, out of a very good Big Ten Conference, will take on the Griz. Wisconsin, however, has been prone to upsets in the last few years. They play a very slow pace. Can the Griz, an unknown, pull off the upset?
They Bluejays have had a great year, and come into the tournament red hot as an 8 seed. Creighton has won their last 7 games to cap off a 14-4 season within the Missouri Valley Conference, led by the dynamic play of coach's son, Doug McDermott. They are the nation's most accurate shooting team at 50.9%. They have good leadership and experience, with wins against Wichita State, San Diego State, and Long Beach State. They get 9 seed Alabama in the first round, with the winner taking on (probably) UNC. Creighton has the ability to play with a team like that, but they have to keep McDermott out of foul trouble and play solid ball down to the wire.
NC State (22-12):
The Wolfpack are pumped and ready to go, getting an 11 seed after a 9-7 campaign in the ACC. Led by C.J. Leslie, the Pack look to knock off San Diego State. They made a good run in the ACC tournament, beating Boston College and Virginia before losing a heartbreaker to UNC. Leslie fouled out with 8 minuets to play, and the Wolfpack were unable to hold on against UNC's late game surge. Richard Howell is a great compliment to Leslie, and Scott Wood adds a deadly three point shot. NC State is definitely a team that could go deep into the tournament if they get hot at the right time.
Well there you have it. 10 sleepers that may just surprise a few folks this year. If you have any last minute questions, please use the comment section below. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Normally I would ramble on and on here about how Spring Training has started (see I just did it), and other sports, but all I can focus on is college basketball. 'Til next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment