2024 March Madness Midwest Region: Cinderella Predictions
The Midwest region is probably one of the easier regions in the 2024 March Madness tournament. Purdue, who is the one-seed in this region, really lucked out with this draw. I think this region has a lot of great upset picks, especially in the round of 64. However, I will be picking teams that I believe can go on a deeper run which means at least making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Here, are my two Cinderella teams in the Midwest region and some reasons why these teams can be successful in the tournament.
Oregon Ducks 11-seed
I think Oregon has a chance to make a deep run in the 2024 March Madness tournament even though they underachieved for most of the year. Oregon has history on its side to make a run as they have never lost a first-round game under head coach Dana Altman. The Ducks have made more than four Sweet Sixteen runs under Altman including an Elite Eight and Final Four run. Also, a couple of these runs were accomplished as a double-digit seed.
Another reason I believe they can go on a run is because they do not have the hardest path. They play South Carolina in the first round. South Carolina had a marvelous season but they greatly overachieved this year. Furthermore, there is only a five-rank difference between the two teams in the BPI rank. Now, Oregon would likely play a 3-seed Creighton team in the second round which is not the worst draw. The Ducks can have another run if they get past Creighton and they might avoid a 2-Seed Tennessee team who looked bad in the SEC tournament.
Finally, Oregon is hot right now as they ran the table to win the PAC-12 Conference Tournament. Also, Oregon’s best player N’Faly Dante is healthy again and playing great basketball. He averages 16.2 points and 8.8 rebounds and he can be a real game breaker. Guard Jermaine Cousinard played extremely well in the conference tournament so he can be a real catalyst for this offense in March Madness. I have a feeling Oregon and Dana Altman have another deep Cinderella run in them.
Samford Bulldogs 13-seed
I think McNeese and Colorado State are other options here for upsets but I chose to go with Samford. The first reason this 13-Seed can go on a run is they have a decent path. Samford has a first-round matchup with a Kansas team that is worse than they have been in years. Also, they will be without one of their star players Kevin McCullar. Finally, Samford might play McNeese in the second round or a Gonzaga team that is worse than they have been in past years. Oh yeah, Samford might face Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen who just became the second One-Seed to lose in the first round last year.
I think Samford fits the bill for a team that can slay a giant. They have an extremely high-powered offense that averages 86 points per game. The style of basketball that they play is nicknamed “Bucky Ball” which is an uptempo system that uses a big rotation. Head Coach Bucky McMillan lets his players shoot a ton of threes and play fast without worrying about turnovers. Finally, Samford has six players that shoot over 40 percent from three and three more players that shoot over 35 percent from three.
Samford can make a run in the 2024 March Madness tournament because they hit a lot of threes and they force turnovers. That is what people want from a Cinderella team. Also, they have a big rotation and Kansas has very limited depth so the ingredients are there for an upset.
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