It’s that time of year again!
You and your friends gather to discuss brackets, make predictions, and track stats. March Madness has arrived. We’re in that special period (about three days) when the bracket has just been released, and the first games have yet to be played.
Our hopes are still intact, and we don’t have the fear of being last in our group of friends—yet. To help you secure a win in this tournament, here are three potential upsets in the first round that you should consider. Once you’ve read these, head over to our Bracket Challenge Contest to try your hand. Hey, you can win a sick staff t-shirt, so why not?
11 Drake vs. 6 Missouri
If you had to pick an upset, it’s always smart to pick an 11 seed over a 6 seed. Since the NCAA tournament field expanded in 1985, an 11-seed has beaten a 6-seed in the first round 39.1% of the time, with 61 upsets out of 156 games. Now with this information, the trick is picking which 11-seed to pick. In his first year coaching for Drake, Ben McColum has done an admirable job. After winning four division two titles at Northwest Missouri State McColum took the helm at Drake leading them to an impressive 30-win-and-4-loss record. With arguably the best player on both sides, Bennet Stirtz, Drake should be liking their chances in this matchup. On Missouri’s side of the ball they have lost four of their last five games and seem to be limping into this tournament.
4 Texas A&M vs. 13 Yale
On average a 13 seed beats a 4 seed at least one per tournament. I predict this year it will be Yale over Texas A&M. Two of the premier rebounding teams in college basketball expect a physical game, with low scoring. Yale comes into this tournament with a record of 22 and 7 while Texas A&M enters the tourney with a record of 22 and 10. However, Yale comes into this matchup with something infinitely more important than what their record suggests. Experience. With seven starters returning, 3 with 15 or more starts, Yale wants to run it back this year. After the huge upset over Auburn last year as the 13 seed, Yale knows how to win these games. With Texas A&M’s offense disappearing in big games and Yale’s ability to keep their cool when it really matters, don’t be surprised if Yale pull away with this one.
12 Liberty vs. 5 Oregon
The timeless 12-over-5 upset. There have been 55 upsets by No. 12 seeds since the NCAA tournament field expanded in 1985. Liberty have just won their first CUSA Tourdament ever with tournament MVP Kaden Metheny averaging over 20 points with his three point percentage above 50%. Few teams shoot the three like Liberty and Oregon will struggle to keep up. After being comfortably bounced out of the Big Ten Tournament by Michigan State the Ducks have their tales between their legs. With Oregon notoriously starting slow on offense this year, Liberty could build a substantial lead on their 3s and kill the game before it even starts.
