Chicago : With powerhouses like Duke Blue Devils, Arizona Wildcats, Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators entering the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament as No. 1 seeds, they are expected to dominate the road to the Final Four in Indianapolis. But history shows March Madness rarely follows the script, and several lower-seeded teams have the potential to make deep runs.
Here’s a look at one dangerous team from each seed line that could exceed expectations:
- No. 2 seed: Houston Cougars men’s basketball – With the chance to play close to home, Houston could challenge top seeds in the South Region.
- No. 3 seed: Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball – Led by standout guard Jeremy Fears Jr., the Spartans bring toughness and experience.
- No. 4 seed: Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball – Freshman star Darius Acuff Jr. has been on a scoring tear entering the tournament.
- No. 5 seed: St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball – Riding momentum after a dominant Big East title performance.
- No. 6 seed: BYU Cougars men’s basketball – Powered by prolific scorer AJ Dybantsa.
- No. 7 seed: Saint Mary’s Gaels men’s basketball – Strong defense and efficient three-point shooting make them dangerous.
- No. 8 seed: Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball – Led by all-time scorer Bruce Thornton.
- No. 9 seed: Utah State Aggies men’s basketball – Consistent tournament presence under star Mason Falslev.
- No. 10 seed: Santa Clara Broncos men’s basketball – Making their first NCAA appearance since the Steve Nash era in 1996.
- No. 11 seed: VCU Rams men’s basketball – Hoping to replicate their famous 2011 Final Four run under former coach Shaka Smart.
- No. 12 seed: Akron Zips men’s basketball – A classic 5-12 upset candidate thanks to experience and defensive energy.
- No. 13 seed: Hofstra Pride men’s basketball – A dangerous three-point shooting team coached by Speedy Claxton.
- No. 14 seed: Penn Quakers men’s basketball – Fueled by a huge Ivy League title game from TJ Power.
- No. 15 seed: Idaho Vandals men’s basketball – Enter the tournament after an unlikely Big Sky championship run.
- No. 16 seed: UMBC Retrievers men’s basketball – Famous for their historic upset in the 2018 NCAA Tournament against Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball.
While the favorites remain strong, the unpredictability of March Madness means these teams could shake up the bracket and challenge for a surprising run to the Final Four.
