Every year top seeds go down, and everyone is wondering where did these teams come from. From Ohio, VCU, Butler, Lehigh, & others, Mid-Majors have always been force in the NCAA Tournament. Every year a new team emerges and that is one of the many reasons why this is the greatest sporting event. These 4 teams all have the ability to win their first round game and potentially move on to the 2nd weekend. I am not making any guarantees to them winning but I am guaranteeing that the team they are facing is not happy with the matchup they got.
1.) Bucknell: The Bison already have NCAA tournament wins in their history beating Kansas & Arkansas in consecutive years in the 2000’s. This year they are trying to replicate their success. The biggest reason they can beat Butler is Mike Muscala. The senior forward is the best pro prospect you have never heard of. His motor never stops and he has terrorized the Patriot League for the past 4 years winning 2 player of year along the way. If Bucknell does win, Mike Muscala will be the reason why.
2.) Belmont: Another 6:111 matchup with Belmont facing Arizona. Arizona has been extremely up and down this year with them having good wins but some ugly losses. The Belmont Bruins having been a staple in the NCAA Tournament recently and this year is no different. They are extremely well coached by Rick Byrd and have never backed down from anybody. If the Bruins can minimize the Wildcats frontcourt, Belmont will be in this game.
3.) South Dakota St. I know very little about the South Dakota St. I do know about Nate Wolters who is their lead guard. Wolters fills up the sat sheet like no other. He already erupted for 53 points earlier this year. He has flirted with a triple double on numerous different occasions this year. His matchup with Trey Burke should be one of the best. After being upset by Ohio last year, Michigan could fall victim again.
4.) Iona: Last year two #2 seeds went down in their first round matchup. Could another one follow suit? If so the most likely one to fall would be Ohio St. The Buckeyes drew the most dangerous 15 seed team in Iona. Iona was last remembered for blowing a 25-point lead against BYU in the play-in game last year. Well the Gaels are back and are led my Lamont “MoMo” Jones. Jones who led Arizona to the Elite 8 two years ago is the Gaels top dog. Along with his running mate Sean Armand, the duo led the nation in backcourt scoring with over 38 combined points per game. They are dangerous, they like to shoot, and they like to shoot often. The Gaels like to play at a frenetic place and if they get going the Buckeyes could be in trouble.
Will any of these teams win, I don’t know. But if there is one thing we learned in college basketball this season, is expect the unexpected. Upsets were at a rapid place and if they do not happen with these teams, they will happen elsewhere. You can’t win your bracket tournament in the first week but you can definitely lose it. Like the same mentality all these teams are facing, you just want to survive and advance.
