Teams That Can Make a Splash in This Year's NCAA Tournament

1. University of Northern Iowa

UNI has been a low-key threat all season. Their 30-3 record surprisingly only earned them the number 11 ranking in the nation and a five seed in the NCAA tournament. If you really believe there are eleven teams better than UNI, then you haven’t watched them play. Besides Virginia, no other team in the top 25 plays as good of defense as UNI. They only allowed 54 points a game and held Notre Dame and Wichita State to under 55 points during their season matchups. Besides their loss to Evansville, UNI doesn’t have a significant defeat. UNI plays as discipline basketball as any team in the country and does a phenomenal job controlling tempo to their needs. They also have John R. Wooden Award finalist Seth Tuttle, who leads the team in all categories except steals. UNI will face Wyoming in the first round and should expect a victory. Look for UNI to make a lot of noise this March.

2. LSU/ NC State

This 8/9 matchup may be the best game, competition wise, of the first round. LSU and NC State are both teams that can upset numerous teams in the tournament, and the winner should be able to give Villanova a run for their money. Both teams have remarkable post games and finished in the top 20 in rebounds and blocks. These two teams have been impressive all season and pulled off impressionable wins over top ten schools. People talk a lot about how Duke, North Carolina, and Louisville can be final four contenders. Well, NC State has taken down all three teams throughout the season, all with notable margins. LSU has done the same with teams like West Virginia and Arkansas. What people also need to notice is LSU would’ve been Kentucky’s only loss if Keith Hornsby’s three didn’t bounce off the side of the rim. This matchup will be a good one to watch as both NC State’s Trevor Lacey and LSU’s Jarell Martin can take over a game at any minute. Either one of these teams can make a significant impact in this year’s tournament. Keep a close eye on this game and the winner throughout the tourney.

3. Providence 

Although Providence may not have the best resume going into the tournament, the six seed should make an impact as it has in years past. This team has had it’s upsets this season, beating Notre Dame, Xavier, St. John’s, Butler, and Georgetown, twice. This team is stern and looks good. As you watch Providence play, you can see that they can beat almost anyone in the nation. Senior forward LaDontae Henton can control the team as well as anyone and he knows how to win. Each year Providence shows that they can make a slight impact in the tournament and I think this is the year they make a significant one. Providence should beat their first round matchup against either Boise State or Dayton and can continue to make noise against higher seeds like Oklahoma and Virginia. Look for this East team to make some noise.

4. Davidson

College basketball fans will forever remember the magnificent 2008 underdog tournament run that took Davidson to the elite eight. Although this team doesn’t have Stephen Curry, they do look like they can surprise some teams this March. With impressive wins over Richmond, VCU, and Dayton, Davidson proved they may be able to shock people in the tournament. This team showed all season they know how to work together and they have a tremendous offense. This team ranks 6th in point per game, 3rd in assists per game, and 31st in field goal percentage. These guys know how to play scoring basketball. What makes Davidson so unique is their guard play of Tyler Kalinoski, Jack Gibbs, and Brian Sullivan that all compliment each other perfectly. All these guys know how to pass and shoot and are all veterans that can lead this team. Davidson may not be the shocking underdogs that they were in 2008, but they can definitely upset some teams.

5. University of Buffalo

UB may be the biggest underdog on this list, especially playing five seed West Virginia. However, this underdog may need to be feared. Led by junior forward, Justin Moss, and sophomore guard, Shannon Evans, the Bulls have looked as sharp as any team in the last month. Entering their first NCAA tournament, this team hasn’t pulled off any really impressive wins this season, but you can’t knock their current eight-game winning streak. The Bulls always seem to play with a chip on their shoulder and you can tell that they know it’s them against the world. What helps UB the most, is their coach, Bob Hurley. Hurley knows how to play hard-nosed basketball and he has brought that to UB. Don’t expect the Bulls to be a final four competitor, but West Virginia, Maryland, and Valparaiso better not take them lightly.