Here are six NCAA bracket busters. You’ve been warned
Everyone knows that upsets are the best part of the NCAA Tournament. And everyone who has filled out a bracket more than once knows that if you pick too many upsets, you will lose your pool. You have to be discriminating, rather, and pick the right upsets. (You also have to hope that the tournament’s early rounds are not strikingly bereft of upsets, as they were last year.)
Here, a guide to six upsets we think could hit. Including, yes, a No. 16 beating a No. 1.
No. 12 vs. No. 5: New Mexico State can beat Clemson
Why it will happen: Clemson is great at football, so we will put this in terms a football fan would understand: Clemson ain’t played nobody! (Or, more precisely, they have not beaten any of the best teams.) The Tigers played an extremely difficult Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. The problem is, they went 4-8 against ACC teams that made the NCAA Tournament. New Mexico State, meanwhile, is a solid mid-major that beat New Mexico twice as well as Miami and Davidson before winning the Western Athletic Conference championship. And the San Diego location makes this a far easier trip for the Aggies. Why it might not: The advanced stats at KenPom.com say Clemson had the eighth-best defense, period, in Division I. X factor: New Mexico State is one of the country’s best offensive rebounding teams. They will need to outmuscle the taller Tigers to steal all the extra chances they can. Line: Clemson by 5½, according to Pinnacle Sports.
No. 13 vs. No. 4: Marshall can beat Wichita State
Why it will happen: After a 31-year NCAA Tournament drought, Marshall beat the former Cinderella Middle Tennessee State to close the regular season, then held off a late comeback by Western Kentucky in the Conference USA title game. The Herd say they play “Hillbilly ball,” which means they spread the floor, run and take as many 3-pointers as possible. Sound familiar, NBA fans? Did we mention that the coach, Dan D’Antoni, is the brother of the Houston Rockets’ coach, Mike? Also, Wichita State’s defense is not what it used to be, and that will be a problem. Why it might not: If there is any team familiar with lower
DAYTON, Ohio — UCLA’s storied NCAA Tournament history includes 18 Final Four appearances. A First Four? None, until now.
The Bruins open the tournament in Dayton on Tuesday at the bottom of the bracket looking up, an unexpected development for a team that started the season with an international controversy and ended it with another spot in the tournament — albeit one of the least desirable.
UCLA (21-11) faces St. Bonaventure (25-7) in the second game Tuesday night at University of Dayton Arena. LIU Brooklyn (18-16) opens against Radford (22-12) in a matchup of No. 16 seeds that have never won an NCAA Tournament game.
The Bruins didn’t expect to be making their first appearance in a First Four game. They were surprised to see their draw in the selection show on Sunday night, which left them with only a few hours to arrange a cross-country flight.
“We really weren’t expecting that as we’re watching the show,” coach Steve Alford said. “We were thinking we’ve got at least three days at home to practice and look at film and get ready. All of a sudden the selection show is over and we’re like, ‘We’re probably leaving in the morning.’”
But at least they’d made it after a challenging November and early December.
The Bruins had an early and international role in college basketball’s season of scandal. Freshmen Jalen Hill and Cody Riley were suspended for the season for shoplifting during a trip to China in November. LiAngelo Ball also was suspended and withdrew from school.
UCLA had a game with Montana called off because of wildfires in early December, adding to the Bruins’ unusual start.
“Four months ago we’re sitting in China and not knowing what’s going on and what’s happening,” Alford said. “And now we’re in the NCAA Tournament, and that’s a very good accomplishment.” The Bruins weren’t alone in dealing with off-court issues. Louisville vacated its 2013 national title in response to a sex scandal that led to Rick Pitino’s ouster. The FBI also is investigating allegations that led to charges last fall against assistant coaches and agents. Arizona’s Sean Miller missed one game and three practices after ESPN reported he discussed a $100,000 payment to star Deandre Ayton, which the coach has denied.
UCLA gained its footing after its early challenges and got in position for the NCAA Tournament — though just barely — by closing with eight wins in 12 games. The Bruins had hoped for a better seed, but will have to earn the chance to face Florida (20-12) on Thursday in Dallas as part of the East region.