It is that time of the year when everyone is filling out their bracket and searching for the next "cinderella" team. In the past few years we have seen George Mason, VCU, and Butler make a run deep into the Big Dance that nobody expected. This year, without a dominate team in the NCAA, many feel as if there will be another Cinderella team that will make a run to Atlanta. Lets take a look at a few potential upsets in the second round.
5. Oklahoma State vs 12. Oregon
The fact that Oregon is a 12 seed is one of the biggest head scratchers in this tournament seeding. The Ducks won the Pac 12 conference tournament and finished tied for second during the regular season. In this game, the Ducks will try to force Cowboys star freshman point guard Marcus Smart into making bad decisions. Oregon averages 8.5 SPG and Smart averages 3.3 turnovers a game himself. Both of these teams struggle mightily shooting the three but if Oregon can take care of the ball and attack the offensive glass, they will come out of the second round with a win.
5. Wisconsin vs 12. Ole Miss
Here is another situation where the 12 seed is a conference tournament champion. The Rebels upset the Florida Gators in the SEC championship to earn their spot into the dance. The main trend from the season to look at for this game is points. Ole Miss is 7th in the country, averaging 77.8 PPG while Wisconsin is 206th in the country at 66.2 PPG. If this game gets into the 60's, Ole Miss should win. However, if Wisconsin can keep it a low scoring affair and limit sharpshooter Marshall Henderson to under 15 points, the Badgers should move on.
6. Arizona vs 11. Belmont
Belmont seems to have the perfect combination to beat the Wildcats. Arizona is one of the worst defenses guarding the 3-pt shot in the country. On the flip side, Belmont can shoot lights out. Led by Ian Clark, averaging over 18 PPG, the Bruins are 4th in the country shooting, at nearly 50% from the field. The struggle for Belmont, however, will be on the glass. Arizona will be led by Kaleb Tarczewski who averages over 6 RPG. In order for Belmont to shock the Wildcats, they must spread the floor and attack the glass.
5. VCU vs 12. Akron
Are you starting to see a trend? Another 5-12 matchup that may provide an upset. Akron is led by head coach Keith Dambrot, who used to coach Lebron James in high school. Dambrot's Zips have controlled the paint this year as 7-footer Zeke Marshall has averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and nearly 4 blocks a game this year. VCU doesn't have the size to hang with Zeke down low. However, the Rams have the balanced scoring led by sophomore Treveaon Graham averaging over 15 PPG. The story line of this one: Marshall must stay out of foul trouble and the Zips must have solid production from their guards that will be filling in for Alex Abreu (suspension) in order for the Zips to move on to the weekend.
2. Georgetown vs 15. Florida Gulf Coast
Last year we saw two #2 seeds go down in the second round as Missouri and Duke were shocked. If any #2 seed goes down this year, it will be the Hoyas. FGCU will need to rely on A-Sun player of the year Sherwood Brown as well as guard Brett Comer who led the A-Sun in assists per game. The Eagles have shown flashes this year of being able to play with the big boys, beating Miami and playing a close half vs Duke at Cameron Indoor. The Hoyas, however, are one of the top defensive teams in the country, giving up just under 56 points per game. Georgetown will try to slow the pace while the Eagles will want to get up and down the court in a hurry. This game will need to be in the seventies in order for FGCU to win their first ever NCAA tournament game.