March Madness is on the horizon. The sporting event that captivates the country for a month straight kicks off on Selection Sunday on March 16. Every year there is a small school that catches the country’s attention; Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023, Oakland in 2024 and Loyola-Chicago in 2018 are some examples. Here’s some teams that could make a run in March Madness, where anything can happen.
UC Irvine/UC San Diego- Projected 12 seed
After a 27-5 season in the Big West Conference, the UC Irvine Anteaters have gone back and forth with UC San Diego for the Big West Conference lead. Both teams will take their battles to the conference tournament to decide which team will go dancing into the NCAA tournament.
Both teams have traded wins in the regular season. Both teams are ranked in the top 100 in the KenPom rankings, which use advanced stats to rank teams. The San Diego Tritons are especially high in the rankings at 39, which is one of the best among mid-major teams.
Both teams could still make the tournament, as UC Irvine currently is in the “Last 4 Out” in Joe Lunardi’s bracketology on ESPN.
Whatever team wins the Big West conference will be a tough matchup for whoever faces them, and will have to deal with the tough defense that the two teams boast
McNeese State- Projected 12 seed
Will Wade is a winner, and it’s as simple as that. The head coach of the Cowboys has won everywhere he’s gone. At LSU, VCU, and now McNeese State, Wade has made the NCAA Tournament seven out of ten seasons in which he’s been a head coach.
McNeese has blown through The Southland Conference this season to a tune of a 19-1 conference record, with their only loss being to Nicholls State. Senior Javohn Green has led the charge for the Cowboys. The defensive-minded guard has led one of the best defenses among mid-majors this season. The Cowboys were a popular upset pick last season when they faced off against Gonzaga in the first round, but they couldn’t work the upset.
Despite rumors of Wade’s departure, the Cowboys will look to advance in the Big Dance
Drake- Projected 11 Seed
The Drake Bulldogs are perhaps one of the most surprising teams in the country this year. When Darian Devries left Drake to take the job at West Virginia, most thought that the Bulldogs would suffer in a competitive Missouri Valley Conference.
After Ben McCollum took the job at Drake, his former players from Northwest Missouri State joined him and they have paid dividends for Drake. The Bulldogs powered to a 30-3 record this season with big wins against Miami, Vanderbilt, Kansas State and Florida Atlantic. Junior Bennett Stirz from Liberty, Missouri has been the star of the show. He’s averaged 19.1 points per game to go along with shooting 39% from three-point range.
The Bulldogs are ranked 57th in the KenPom rankings and boast one of the top-50 defenses in the country, with a 98.8 defensive rating. The Bulldogs play the slowest basketball in the country, averaging 58.9 possessions per game, more than two possessions away from the 363rd ranked Wagner.
Historically, playing at a slower tempo has been successful for teams in March. 75% of champions since 2020 have been bottom half in possessions per game. UCONN last season placed in the bottom 30. The Bulldogs have all the makings of a Cinderella, it’s all in the matchup they face in the first round.
Baylor- Projected 8 Seed
Baylor may not be a traditional Cinderella, but a disaster of a season for the Bears has landed them at the eight seed. The 18-13 Bears are led by top five prospect V.J. Edgecombe. After a slow start to the season, the Big 12 Rookie Of The Year has rebounded by averaging 15.8 points per game in the past 18 games. Baylor will need good performances from Edgecombe and fellow five-star freshman Robert Wright III.
The depth for the Bears’ big men is cause for concern, as only senior Norchad Omier and junior Josh Ojianwuna are the Bears’ only centers, which could spell trouble if one or both of them gets into foul trouble.
Scott Drew’s team may not be as talented as the team who won the championship in 2021, but the Bears still have upside to make the Sweet 16. If the two freshmen can get going, it could be a happy week in Waco.
High Point- Projected 13 Seed
High Point won their first conference tournament by overcoming a 15-point deficit against Winthrop in an 81-69 win. The Panthers are led by head coach Alan Huss, who was an assistant coach under Greg McDermott with the Creighton Bluejays. Huss has coached the Panthers to a 29-5 record with a 14-2 record in the Big South.
The Panthers are led by a big three of senior Kezza Giffa, junior Kimani Hamilton and senior D’Maurian Williams. Those three count for just over half of High Points scoring. The Panthers also have a lot of depth coming off the bench. Kansas transfer Bobby Pettiford and Abdoulaye Thiam provide scoring for the Panthers off the bench. The Panthers have reaped the rewards of the Transfer Portal, as almost all the players that normally see the court have come from other schools.
High Point has all the makings of a Cinderella team in March. Depending on the matchups, the Panthers could make a deep run and become America’s team throughout the tournament.
