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Michigan Wolverines

  • Seed & 1st Rd Opponent: No. 11 vs. No. 6 Colorado State (South Region)
  • Record: 17-14 overall; 11-9 in Big Ten
  • Rankings: 34th in NET; 33rd in KenPom; 27th in BPI
  • Odds: 150/1 to win title; 30/1 to make Final Four
  • Notable Wins: Purdue, Iowa, Ohio State, San Diego State, Michigan State
  • Notable Losses: Arizona, Illinois (twice), Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio State, North Carolina, Seton Hall
  • Key Players: Hunter Dickinson (sophomore center); Eli Brooks (senior guard); DeVante Jones (senior guard)
  • Head Coach: Juwan Howard (3rd season)
  • Last Tournament Appearance: 2021 – Elite Eight loss to UCLA as No. 1 Seed

A year ago, Michigan was a No. 1 seed and a legit national title contender before losing in the Elite Eight to UCLA. Now, it barely gets into the Big Dance as one of the main bubble teams that needed some luck on Selection Sunday. Despite the poor win-loss record, the Wolverines boast strong advanced metrics and a top-20 offensive efficiency. Led by stud center Hunter Dickinson, they can definitely beat Colorado State in the first round and then challenge Tennessee the game after. Remember that Dickinson, Eli Brooks and a couple other players were on last year's team that made a deep run. That experience can't be overstated – even if this team overall isn't as good. 

 

Iowa State Cyclones

  • Seed & 1st Rd Opponent: No. 11 vs. No. 6 LSU (Midwest Region)
  • Record: 20-12 overall; 7-11 in Big  12
  • Rankings: 49th in NET; 48th in KenPom; 52nd in BPI
  • Odds: 400/1 to win title; 70/1 to make Final Four
  • Notable Wins: Iowa, Texas Tech, Texas, Memphis, Creighton, TCU
  • Notable Losses: Kansas (twice), Baylor (twice), Texas Tech (twice), Texas, TCU
  • Key Players: Izaiah Brockington (senior guard); Tyrese Hunter (freshman guard); Gabe Kalscheur (senior wing)
  • Head Coach: T.J. Otzelberger (1st season)
  • Last Tournament Appearance: 2019 – 1st Round loss to Ohio State as No. 6 Seed

Iowa State started this season on 12-0 run with impressive non-conference wins over Iowa, Memphis, Creighton and Xavier. It was very surprising to see, considering the Cyclones went 2-22 last year with an 0-18 record in the Big 12. That hot start to the season is a big reason why ISU is in the field because, well, it went 7-11 during conference play and limped to the finish line. Even so, the Cyclones have a top-10 defense nationally under first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger and have a talented backcourt duo of senior Izaiah Brockington and freshman Tyrese Hunter. If this team evokes some of the early-season magic it had, then No. 6 seed LSU is in trouble in the first round. Plus, the Tigers are in our busts section – so don't be shocked at win for the 'Clones! 

 

Miami (FL) Hurricanes

  • Seed & 1st Rd Opponent: No. 10 vs. No. 7 USC (Midwest Region)
  • Record: 23-10 overall; 14-6 in ACC
  • Rankings: 62nd in NET; 62nd in KenPom; 58th in BPI
  • Odds: 300/1 to win title; 30/1 to make Final Four
  • Notable Wins: Duke, Virginia Tech, North Carolina
  • Notable Losses: Alabama, Duke, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame
  • Key Players: Kameron McGusty (senior guard); Isaiah Wong (sophomore guard); Charlie Moore (senior guard)
  • Head Coach: Jim Larranaga (11th season)
  • Last Tournament Appearance: 2018 – 1st Round loss to Loyola Chicago as No. 6 Seed

It's a bit surprising to see Miami in the NCAA Tournament, considering it boasts just a few “good” wins on the year. Still, a road upset over Duke carries a lot of weight and that's a big reason why the 'Canes are a dangerous No. 10 seed. Led by a trio of talented guards in Kameron McGusty, Charlie Moore and Isaiah Wong, they have a top-20 offense nationally and will force USC to match them on the scoreboard in this first round. After seeing Miami beat Duke and then almost do it again in the ACC Tournament, a first-round upset is certainly possible. 

 

 

 

New Mexico State Aggies

  • Seed & 1st Rd Opponent: No. 12 vs. No. 5 Connecticut (West Region)
  • Record: 26-6 overall; 13-4 in WAC
  • Rankings: 79th in NET; 81st in KenPom; 117th in BPI
  • Odds: 600/1 to win title; 100/1 to make Final Four
  • Notable Wins: Davidson, Washington State
  • Notable Losses: Utah State
  • Key Players: Teddy Allen (junior wing); Jabari Rice (junior guard); Johnny McCants (senior center)
  • Head Coach: Chris Jans (5th season)
  • Last Tournament Appearance: 2019 – 1st Round loss to Auburn as No. 12 Seed

The last time New Mexico State was in the NCAA Tournament, it nearly pulled off a first-round upset of Auburn. Now the Aggies are back in the Big Dance and are actually one of the better small-school teams in the field in terms of computer metrics and advanced ranks. Nebraska transfer Teddy Allen is the team's best player and WAC Player of the Year. He helped New Mexico State pull off impressive upsets over Davidson and Washington State earlier this season – and UConn shouldn't overlook this first-round test. 
 

Longwood Lancers

  • Seed & 1st Rd Opponent: No. 14 vs. No. 3 Tennessee (South Region)
  • Record: 26-6 overall; 15-1 in Big South
  • Rankings: 125th in NET; 144th in KenPom; 129th in BPI
  • Odds: 800/1 to win title; 200/1 to make Final Four
  • Notable Wins: Winthrop (twice)
  • Notable Losses: Iowa, Georgetown
  • Key Players: Justin Hill (sophomore point guard); Isaiah Wilkins (senior wing); DeShaun Wade (senior guard)
  • Head Coach: Griff Aldrich (4th season)
  • Last Tournament Appearance: Never

Longwood earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after going 15-1 in conference play and dismantling Winthrop in the Big South title game. The Lancers rank sixth in the nation in three-point percentage (38.6%), which could make Tennessee sweat in the first round. ACC fans may remember Isaiah Wilkins, formerly of Wake Forest and Virginia Tech. If Longwood gets hot from the perimeter and Wilkins is making an impact on both ends, don’t be surprised if they bust some brackets – especially with that first-timer magic on their side. 

 

Join the 2022 Fantasy Alarm March Madness Bracket Challenge now to win FREE CASH! Make your picks here. 

Looking for more College Basketball content? Check out FREE 2022 March Madness NCAA Tournament previews on Top Mid-Major Teams & and Dark Horses!