The NCAA Tournament has seen its fair share of upsets this year. Four Cinderella teams are left in the Sweet 16. How many of them will make it to the Elite 8? How about the Final Four? 11 different conferences are represented in the Sweet 16. If you’ve made it this far, don’t let these teams ruin your brackets.
#9 Northern Iowa Panthers
Northern Iowa has killed some giants this year, including Kansas, the tournament’s #1 overall seed. The Missouri Valley Champs may have some more tricks up their sleeves with a surprisingly fair road to the Final Four ahead of them. The Panthers play close to home at St. Louis against a Michigan State team that is without Kalin Lucas. Michigan State was bad without its senior leader in the regular season so it bodes well for the Panthers if they can stay focused.
#12 Cornell Big Red
No Ivy League team had won an NCAA Tournament game in 12 years. None had advanced to the Sweet 16 since 1979. Cornell has done that with decisive victories over Temple and Wisconsin. The Big Red have enjoyed the production of Louis Dale, a combined 47 points, and Ryan Wittman, a combined 44 points, in the two games. The toughest task comes against #1 Kentucky. It isn’t likely, but if they upset Kentucky, there is no telling how far this #12 seed will go.
#11 Washington Huskies
The Huskies are on a tear after winning the Pac-10 Tournament. #6 Marquette and #3 New Mexico couldn’t handle them in the first two rounds. Washington is getting the respect it deserves. The Huskies were predicted to win the Pac-10 at the close of the season and they were a short favorite against the Mountain West Conference champions last week.
#10 St. Mary’s Gaels
St. Mary’s persevered in Providence and will do it again against Baylor. Richmond and Villanova are very different types of teams, yet the Gaels didn’t have a problem. Baylor won’t be able to shut down Omar Samhan on the inside. Guards Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova have played exceptional. The team has shown no fear and has been brilliant from beyond the arc.
For a look at the Sweet 16 matchups read about those tonight and those tomorrow. Bet on March Madness games at Titan Bet and Party Bets.