An NCAA Tournament without upsets is like “Anchorman” without Ron Burgundy.
Davids taking down Goliaths are what make the NCAA Tournament the best sports spectacle on the planet. With college basketball having no cut-and-dry No. 1 team like Kentucky was a season ago, it should make this year’s Big Dance one of the maddest Marches you’ve ever seen.
If you’re one of those people who fills out all the top seeds to win, I probably don’t like you. Have some fun, pick some schools you’ve never heard of and laugh in your friends’ faces when they topple the higher-seeded team.
I’ll even help you out a little bit. Here are some snakes in the grass waiting to pull off upsets Thursday and Friday in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 11 Belmont over No. 6 Arizona
Belmont is in the Big Dance for the sixth time in eight seasons with a 0-5 record in games played in the tournament. So why am I picking a team who hasn’t won a game in March in recent memory? The Bruins are due.
It doesn’t hurt that Arizona is limping into the tournament with a 7-5 record in its last 12 games. Belmont also has a pair of senior guards in Ian Clark and Kerron Johnson who have been to the tournament before and won’t be rattled.
The Bruins have an RPI of 19. They’re not your average mid-major.
No. 11 Bucknell over No. 6 Butler
It’s weird to see Butler as a lower seed trying to fend off an upset from a pesky underdog. To win NCAA Tournament games, you have to possess a player who can take over games by himself.
The Bison definitely have a game-changer in center Mike Muscala. The senior averages 19 points a game and will be tough for the Butler front line to handle.
Butler guard Rotnei Clarke has the ability to heat up from long-range, but he’s never played in the NCAA Tournament. This should be one of the better games of the round.
No. 12 Oregon over No. 5 Oklahoma State
First off, Oregon is horribly under-seeded by the selection committee. There’s no way the Ducks are a No. 12 seed.
That being said, the Ducks have a bunch going in their favor. Oklahoma State does have the Big 12 Player of the Year in freshman point guard Marcus Smart, but the Ducks have a true freshman guard in Dominic Artis looking to prove he can ball on a national stage.
Oregon should also own the glass with Tony Woods and Arsalan Kazemi. Look for the Ducks to roll, especially since they get to play close to home in San Jose, Calif.
No. 13 South Dakota State over No. 4 Michigan
America, get ready to be introduced to South Dakota State guard Nate Wolters. The kid averages nearly 23 points a game and is a threat to knock down shots from anywhere on the court.
SDSU almost took down Baylor in the tourney last season, and Michigan should be on its heels. Not to mention the Wolverines are only 6-6 coming down the stretch.
Also, there’s no way you can pick against a team nicknamed the Jackrabbits. Can you say swag?
No. 14 Davidson over No. 3 Marquette
Davidson doesn’t have Steph Curry, but it’s still dangerous in this season’s tournament.
It’s hard for me to pick against Marquette coach Buzz Williams, but the Golden Eagles are definitely on upset-alert.
The Wildcats haven’t lost since Jan. 14. It’s safe to say they’re on a roll.
Plus, Marquette doesn’t have a go-to guy down the stretch like Davidson’s Jake Cohen. It will be interesting to see the contrast of styles when the two take the floor in Lexington, Ky.
Micah Bedard is a 22-year-old history senior from Houma.
