The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament actually begins Tuesday night with the first of four play-in games. If you're watching you're also filling out at least one bracket, either for fun, to win office bragging rights or to maybe make a little cash. To excel in any bracket, finding the right upsets is a key. Here are four potential Sweet 16 teams seeded 10th or worse — one in each bracket — that could make your bracket, courtesy of staff writer Lindsey Young.
› New Mexico, 11th seed in the West
The Lobos were, first of all, grossly under-seeded and are a popular upset pick. Don't ignore it, and reap the rewards.
First-round opponent Clemson can be had and was an inconsistent team in the ACC, capable of winning big or losing to pretty much anybody. The Tigers have wins over Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina, but losses against the likes of Memphis, Boston College, Louisville and Georgia Tech.
New Mexico has a terrific starting five, led by Jaelon House, TJ Toppin and Jamal Mashburn Jr., and are on a nice run, having defeated three other NCAA tourney teams in the Mountain West Conference tournament. To make the Sweet 16 the Lobos would likely have to get past Baylor, a battle-tested team from the Big 12 that has also been wildly inconsistent.
I also like Grand Canyon to make a possible Sweet 16 upset run in the West.
› Boise State, co-10th seed in the South
The Broncos will have to win three games to get into the Sweet 16, starting with Tuesday's First Four game against a talented Colorado team., then Florida and likely No. 2 seed Marquette.
This is a Boise State team that is accustomed to playing big games and having to grind through wins. Like New Mexico (see above), they are part of a deep Mountain West Conference that has six teams in the field and went 13-5 in league play. Colorado, while talented, is part of a relatively weak Pac-12.
The reason they can make the Sweet 16, though, is the poor health of Florida and Marquette, two superior teams talent-wise when healthy. However, both teams have multiple players sidelined, or at least hobbled, so the Broncos could be that First Four team that makes it to the second weekend.
› McNeese State, 12th seed in the Midwest
Like him or not, Will Wade knows how to coach a basketball team and McNeese State's success (30-3) is no fluke. The Cowboys play a disruptive style that relies on turnovers to get points and frustrate opponents.
They did not get a good first-round opponent in Gonzaga, one of the country's most fundamentally-sound programs that will have a game plan to handle Wade's trademark press. However, the Zags aren't as deep as in recent seasons, making them a target for late-game fatigue.
Kansas is likely the second round opponent (though SoCon champ Samford is also a trendy upset pick). Bill Self's blue blood program is literally bleeding these days with a rash of injuries that leave them vulnerable.
› Drake, 10th seed in the East
The Bulldogs, the Missouri Valley champs, have one major thing going for them — and possibly against them — this week. They are one of the country's best 3-point shooting teams, averaging nine trey makes a game, meaning, if they get hot, watch out.
They've been red hot of late, led by star Tucker DeVries and fellow guards Atin Wright and Kevin Overton, who have combined to hit 209 3-pointers. Let's assume they get past first-round opponent Washington State, another member of the overrated Pac-12.
That would set up a matchup with Iowa State, possibly the nation's top defensive team and one that often struggles to score consistently. Nothing beats a good defense better than long-range shooting.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com