This NCAAB season has been one for the ages. With much going on with the global pandemic, the league has found ways to run the league smoothly. There is one day until the first four games, and two days away from the beginning of March Madness.
Every year, fans wonder who this year’s Cinderella will be, or wonder which underdog teams have good chances at making runs to the sweet sixteen, or farther. Let’s take a look at the teams I think could make nice runs in March Madness.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech has had a very good year. Sitting at 17-10, they have definitely proved to be a very strong team. After losing in the championship as a #3 seed in the 2019 tournament, there were questions about whether they would be able to stay successful in the future. Well, they definitely are.
A huge part of the Red Raider’s success is due to Mac McClung. Mac began his collegiate career at Georgetown and found a better way to improve by transferring to Texas Tech. This decision has been great. On the season, Mac is averaging 15 ppg and has been able to become quite the guard.
The entire team has been playing great basketball. They have solid shooters, solid play in the paint, and exceptional defense. But, when this team finds a rhythm, they are almost impossible to stop. About a week and a half before the selection show, Texas faced off against Texas Tech.
Both teams fought hard and Texas ended up winning by 1 point. Texas is now a #3 seed in the tournament. This shows how good Texas Tech can be as a #6 seed. I think that the Red Raiders are going to get it done in the first round, and upset #3 ranked Arkansas to improve to the Sweet 16.
Oklahoma State
Coming in as a #4 seed in the tournament, it would not be such a shocker to see Oklahoma State reach the sweet16. But, that’s not where I think they can get to. Oklahoma State has had a tremendous year. Upset after Upset, they have continued to improve and get more respect by following their leader, Cade Cunningham. Cade is the best player in College Basketball and it is not relatively close. Cade has this ability to single-handedly take over a game and hit any shot he needs to.
Many saw this in the BIG12 tournament. As Oklahoma State was trailing the entire game, they went down 8+ points. Then, Cade had different ideas. Cade took over and went for 25 points, hitting back-to-back threes, propelling Oklahoma State back into the game. Eventually, they beat #1 ranked Baylor.
Oklahoma State has big potential. They have great size, and shooters on deck to hit shots. One of their best parts of their game is their ability to drive the ball.
They play hard, strong basketball and get it done in the paint. Projected to meet against Illinois in the sweet 16, they have a serious shot at beating them, proceeding to the elite eight, and maybe even the final four. There is no stopping Cade Cunningham and until a team finds a way, Oklahoma State will continue to fight as they did against the #1 seed in the south region, Baylor.
Purdue
Liste four seed in the south region, the Purdue Boilermakers have the potential to beat any team with their balanced core and great coaching. Their best quality is their big men. Trevion Williams has been spectacular this season averaging 15.6 points and 9 rebounds. Williams put on a competitive performance vs Ohio State scoring 26 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Center Zach Edey also can make a major impact down low standing at a massive 7-4 frame.
With overall solid guard play in Sasha Stefanovic and Jaden Ivey. They will face a scrappy North Texas team in round one which will likely be a low-scoring affair in the Boilermaker’s favor. In the second round in order to make the Sweet 16, the Boilermakers will either play Winthrop or Villanova.
Both of these teams have the ability to play at a top-level, but not comparable to when Purdue is at their best which could lead them to a win past the strong Baylor and run into the Elite Eight.