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Even in a chalk year like 2025, where all four No. 1 seeds reached the national semifinals, there were Cinderellas.
In fact, four double-digit seeds advanced from the first round of the tournament, including out of three of the four regions. Those teams were No. 10 New Mexico, No. 12 McNeese, No. 10 Arkansas and No. 12 Colorado St. So, you can count on more upsets happening again before the upper class of the tournament establishes itself.
As for where those upsets might come from, that's anyone's guess. But the below four teams have a great chance to emerge as Cinderellas from their respective regions.
1st round: vs. 6 Louisville
The Bulls haven't lost a single game since the calendar flipped to February, riding a 11-game winning streak into the tournament. With a strong defense, they could give short-handed Louisville trouble as the Cardinals enter round one without second-leading scorer Mikel Brown Jr.
1st round: vs. 4 Nebraska
Troy stumbled a bit down the stretch of the season, but pulled it together in time to win the Sun Belt tourney. Besides, all the pressure is on Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are the last power-conference team without a tournament win, and they've been incredibly streaky.
1st round: vs. 4 Alabama
With and 11-1 record in its last 12 games, Hofstra is riding a wave that may wash right over a Tide team dealing with turmoil. Aden Holloway's recent dismissal from the team means Alabama has to lean on a trio of underclassmen to carry the scoring load. That can get tricky this time of year.
1st round: vs. 5 Wisconsin
High Point is back dancing after giving Purdue a good first-round game last year, and arguably better. The Panthers have the high-octane offense necessary to keep up with a team like Wisconsin and a senior-laden group that won't back down.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: March Madness upsets: Cinderella picks for the 2026 NCAA tournament
Continue reading...
In fact, four double-digit seeds advanced from the first round of the tournament, including out of three of the four regions. Those teams were No. 10 New Mexico, No. 12 McNeese, No. 10 Arkansas and No. 12 Colorado St. So, you can count on more upsets happening again before the upper class of the tournament establishes itself.
As for where those upsets might come from, that's anyone's guess. But the below four teams have a great chance to emerge as Cinderellas from their respective regions.
11 South Florida (East)
1st round: vs. 6 Louisville
The Bulls haven't lost a single game since the calendar flipped to February, riding a 11-game winning streak into the tournament. With a strong defense, they could give short-handed Louisville trouble as the Cardinals enter round one without second-leading scorer Mikel Brown Jr.
13 Troy (South)
1st round: vs. 4 Nebraska
Troy stumbled a bit down the stretch of the season, but pulled it together in time to win the Sun Belt tourney. Besides, all the pressure is on Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are the last power-conference team without a tournament win, and they've been incredibly streaky.
13 Hofstra (Midwest)
1st round: vs. 4 Alabama
With and 11-1 record in its last 12 games, Hofstra is riding a wave that may wash right over a Tide team dealing with turmoil. Aden Holloway's recent dismissal from the team means Alabama has to lean on a trio of underclassmen to carry the scoring load. That can get tricky this time of year.
12 High Point (West)
1st round: vs. 5 Wisconsin
High Point is back dancing after giving Purdue a good first-round game last year, and arguably better. The Panthers have the high-octane offense necessary to keep up with a team like Wisconsin and a senior-laden group that won't back down.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: March Madness upsets: Cinderella picks for the 2026 NCAA tournament
Continue reading...
