It’s the verysame tune and dance every year — and no, we’re not talking about “One Shining Moment.”
You pore over statistics and standings, thoroughly choosing your bracket. You have dreams of winning the money reward and boasting rights over your goodfriends.
Then, undoubtedly, some group comes along that you’ve neverever heard of (ahem, UMBC) and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, the individual in your swimmingpool who can’t even pronounce “Gonzaga” properly hasactually been crowned the victor, all duetothefactthat they liked some random double-digit seed with a strange mascot. What is a Paladin anyhow?
We digress.
This is created to provide you a leg up on the competitors. Here we present 5 groups that might break your bracket — in hopes that you choice them ahead of time and emerge triumphant in your workplace swimmingpool.
If and when any or all of these groups go on a run, wear’t state we didn’t alert you.
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FIRST-TIMERS: Nine groups with excellent chance to win their veryfirst title
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STEP 1 IS TO ENTER: Keys to winning USA TODAY Sports’ March Madness survivor swimmingpools
Texas A&M, No. 7 in Midwest
The Aggies were criminally under-seeded thinkingabout they’ve won 10 of their last 11 videogames and endedup 2nd in the SEC throughout the routine season. Yes they got blown out by total No. 1 seed Alabama in the SEC competition champion — and that’s precisely why they’ll be poised to make a run, to get that bad taste out of their mouth.
Texas A&M had a fantastic case as a 4 seed, and is mostlikely to take out their disappointment veryfirst on Penn State, then on in-state (and future SEC) competitor Texas. To make a run and messup brackets they’ll requirement to get big-time play from Wade Taylor IV (16.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4 helps and 1.8 takes), a high-risk, high-reward sophomore guard.
Memphis, No. 8 in the East
The Tigers smoked Houston in the AAC champion over the weekend, and while Houston may not haveactually been at complete strength, that type of win can be precisely what you requirement to kickstart a deep run in the competition.
The triumph offers Memphis plenty of self-confidence. Plus the Tigers are definitely starving to enhance on last year’s second-round exit. Memphis has a fantastic one-two punch in 2 fifth-year elders with guard Kendric Davis (22.1 points, 5.6 helps) and forward DeAndre Williams (17.8 points, 8.0 rebounds) offering groups fits inside and out. Memphis certainly wins its first-round videogame vs. 9-seed FAU, and might take out the veryfirst No. 1 seed in Purdue. After that, it’s all blue sky upuntil the Final Four.
MEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT: Everything you requirement to control your March Madness swimmingpool
REGIONAL BREAKDOWNS: East | South | Midwest | West
MAJOR SURPRISES: 10 strong forecasts for March Madness
REGIONAL BREAKDOWNS: East | South | Midwest | West
MAJOR SURPRISES: 10 vibrant forecasts for March Madness