(Photo : Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)) WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 16: DJ Burns Jr. #30 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates with teammates after being named the MVP of the Championship Game of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament towards the North Carolina Tar Heels at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2024 in Washington, DC.
With the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64 video games tipping off on Thursday afternoon, it is time for America to fall in love with Cinderella groups as soon as once more. Who will lead the cost in NCAA Tournament Upsets?
It’s one of many easiest days on the sports activities calendar with 16 do-or-die school basketball video games that promise dramatic finishes, heroic performances, and definitely a surprising consequence or two.
Last yr, this was the day when Fairleigh Dickinson knocked off Purdue. Two years in the past, it was the day that Saint Peter’s began its run to the Elite 8 by surprising Kentucky.
Who will or not it’s this season? Here are three potential upsets for Thursday’s slate of video games:
NCAA Tournament Upset Alert: (11) NC State Wolfpack Over (6) Texas Tech
Red Raiders
Time: 9:40 PM ET
Channel: CBS
Odds: Texas Tech -4.5
Speaking of America falling in love with Cinderella groups, boy did the NC State Wolfpack ever seize the nation’s consideration with their 5 wins in 5 days run to win the ACC Tournament.
I do not assume they’re accomplished but. The Wolfpack discovered one thing on offense final week that had been lacking for all of them season, working their offense by way of dominant submit presence D.J. Burns and permitting perimeter scorers like Raleigh-native D.J. Horne and Jayden Taylor to thrive.
Guard Michael O’Connell got here into his personal as a distributor for the Wolfpack, who lastly obtained their depth items enjoying at a excessive stage, too.
Texas Tech has the guard play to maintain up with NC State, however the Red Raiders might discover themselves struggling to comprise Burns, identical to everybody within the ACC Tournament did.
Related Article: NCAA Tournament Dark Horse: How High Can the Oregon Ducks Fly?
NCAA Tournament Upset Alert: (13) Samford Bulldogs Over (4) Kansas Jayhawks
Time: 9:55 PM ET
Channel: TBS
Odds: Kansas -7.5
Things have turned ugly for Kansas this season, and it is clear that this has been the worst season of the Bill Self period for the Jayhawks. That the worst season of his tenure nonetheless ends in a four-seed is a complete testomony to his greatness, however the Kansas Jayhawks are susceptible tonight.
Star winger Kevin McCullar has been dominated out for the match, and his presence will significantly diminish Kansas’ high quality on each ends of the ground. Star heart Hunter Dickinson will play by way of a shoulder harm, however the Jayhawks may merely lack the pace and defensive high quality with out McCullar to maintain up with the Samford Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs play on the 14th-fastest tempo within the nation based on KenPom, they usually can use three-pointers to place up a bunch of threes in a rush. If Samford get scorching, Kansas merely won’t have the pace or the shooters to maintain up with Bucky Ball.
NCAA Tournament Upset Alert: (10) Colorado State Buffaloes Over (7) Texas Longhorns
Time: 6:50 PM ET
Channel: TNT
Odds: Texas -2.5
The Colorado State Buffaloes have proved to be spectacular on each ends of the ground in a totally convincing win over the Virginia Cavaliers of their first 4 matchup in Dayton.
While many took away from that sport that Virginia by no means belonged within the match, which is true, the opposite takeaway ought to have been that Colorado State by no means belonged in Dayton. This is without doubt one of the 30 or so finest groups within the nation, and I anticipate them to show it at this time with a win over the Texas Longhorns.
Watch out for Joel Scott, who put up 23 factors and 11 rebounds towards Virginia and will have a significant function on this sport as properly.
Colorado State is the higher defensive crew between these two, they usually is perhaps well-positioned to restrict the offensive impression of Texas main scorer Max Abmas.
Look for head coach Niko Medved and his crew to present Texas all they’ll deal with and presumably even earn an enormous win right here to maintain their run going.
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