Every year there are a few teams from non-major conferences that get a lot of buzz around this time of year. Some, like last year’s Arkansas Little-Rock team, are able to get it done in their conference tournaments and can do what analysts expect them to do come March. Others, like last year’s Valparaiso and Monmouth teams, are not able to win their tournaments and need to wait yet another year to have their potential Cinderella seasons. With Championship Week looming, here are five teams that, barring collapse in their conference tournaments, can cause a real stir in the National Tournament.
UNC Wilmington Seahawks, Colonial Athletic Association (26-5, 15-3)
RPI: 39
Best Win: East Tennessee State (71 RPI)
Current Bracketology seed: 12
Last year, UNC Wilmington took a good Duke team to the edge in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament as a 12 seed. From that team, the Seahawks return five players, including three that averaged at least ten minutes per game, and only lost two players that were in the top five on the team in minutes per game. They brought in two transfers as well, so overall, they did not lose that much. Four players are averaging at least twelve per game this season in a fast, guard oriented system. If they get matched up with a team that is similar in style or struggles to defend in transition, watch out for the 12-5 seed trend to continue.
Monmouth Hawks, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (26-5, 18-2)
RPI: 44
Best Win: Princeton (56)
Current Bracketology seed: 13
Why they are scary: If you watch college basketball, I hope you recognize this name. Monmouth took the college basketball world by storm and was one of the hottest buzz topics following Selection Sunday when they did not get an At-Large bid following a crushing defeat to Iona in their Conference Tournament in 2016. This year, thanks to their standout senior class of Justin Robinson and Je’lon Hornbeak and star sophomore Micah Seaborn, they are similarly as good as they were last season. Although they don’t have the marquee wins did last year, they did take a very good South Carolina team to OT, and they do still have one of the best point guards in a non-major conference. This team is very good offensively and more than adequate on defense. You could make the claim they are slightly undersized in the frontcourt, but with the right matchup, this is a nightmare for any team in the country.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Conference USA (25-4, 15-1)
RPI: 32
Best Win: UNC Wilmington (39)
Current Bracketology seed: 10
Why they are scary: I should really only have to say two words for you to have an idea of why this team is terrifying. Michigan State. Remember now? Yes, this is the same team that flew completely under the radar in 2015-2016 to beat the tournament-favorite Michigan State Spartans in the first round as a 15 seed. Two of their top-three leading scorers from that team, Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw, are joined by Arkansas transfer JaCorey Williams, who cemented their frontcourt as scary. Despite both being only 6’8”, the combo of JaCorey Williams and Reggie Upshaw are averaging a combined 31.7 points and 14.1 rebounds per game. Combined with the veteran point guard leadership of Giddy Potts, this team is fast and high-flying. Now as a ten seed, watch out for this team for not only one win, but maybe two wins and a Sweet Sixteen appearance.
UT Arlington Mavericks, Sun Belt Conference (23-6, 13-3)
RPI: 33
Best Win: @ St. Mary’s (18)
Current Bracketology seed: 12
Why they are scary: This team has already proven that they can beat an elite opponent. They gave St. Mary’s their first loss of the season @ St. Mary’s when the Gaels were ranked #12. They also have a win over Texas, another power-conference team. This is another team led by a fast, athletic forward. Kevin Hervey is leading the team with 17 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, which leads a balanced team of 6 players averaging at least eight points per game. A balanced attack like that is a great matchup against any team, even those that are lock-down defensively. This is another team that is a lock for one win, and my pick for a Cinderella Sweet 16.
Princeton Tigers, Ivy League (19-6, 12-0)
RPI: 56
Best Win: @ Bucknell (73)
Current Bracketology seed: 13
Why they are scary: Alright maybe scary might not be the word here. An Ivy League team is never going to really give opposing coaches nightmares. This Tigers team is a serious problem, though. They aren’t going to overwhelm anyone, they have no marquee wins, and they don’t have anyone scoring more than 13.9 points per game, but teams will not be able to pull away from the Tigers. Princeton is a top-ten defensive team, allowing only 61 points per game, which is tenth best in the country. They move the ball well on offense, limit possessions and thrive in low-scoring games. I want them to play Virginia so bad just to see what the over/under would be. I can’t imagine that game having more than seven combined possessions. Look out for Princeton to slow the game to a halt while trying to bust your bracket.