2024 March Madness South Region: Cinderella Predictions
The last region in the Cinderella prediction series is the South region. The juggernaut Houston Cougars are the one-seed in this region for the NCAA tournament. This side of the bracket has its share of Blue Bloods in Duke and Kentucky but it does offer some possible Cinderella stories. Now, I will try to identify to underdogs that have a chance to make some history in the 2024 March Madness tournament.
James Madison Dukes 12-seed
It is bracket season and everyone loves a 12-seed over a five-seed upset. Well, James Madison is my favorite 12-seed. Furthermore, I think JMU got a fairly nice draw as they face a Wisconsin team that has struggled at times in the regular season. James Madison would then likely face Duke in the second round of the tournament. Duke has been shaky for most of the season as they have underachieved their preseason projections. I think JMU has a nice path to the Sweet Sixteen where they can take their momentum to try and knock off the 1-seed Cougars that will likely be waiting for them.
This JMU team simply just knows how to win. The Dukes had multiple stretches of 13-plus wins this season and they knocked off a ranked Michigan State. They won their conference tournament ending with a regular season record of 31-3 which led all of Division l college basketball. The Dukes are truly great on both ends as they average 84.4 points per game and only concede 69.2 points per game.
They do not play in the best conference but that can be said for a lot of mid-major teams. However, star guard Terrance Edwards Jr. is the real deal. He averages 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. The JMU core is rounded out by forward T.J. Bickerstaff and guard Noah Freidel. Bickerstaff averages 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds and Friedel averages 12.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. James Madison has the feeling of a Cinderella run waiting to happen.
Colorado Buffaloes 10-seed
I know some people might like NC State as a Cinderella but I think they just had their insane run in the ACC tournament. Now, I think Colorado will have a chance to make a deep run in the 2024 March Madness tournament. Colorado is coming off a solid season where they won 25 games this season. Also, they just beat a tough Boise State team in the First Four. Colorado is 6-1 in their last seven and they have a chance to stay hot in the tournament.
Next, the Buffaloes have a decent draw as they play a 7-seed Florida team in the first round. Florida is a streaky team but they will be headed into the tournament without their starting center. Next, Colorado would likely play a 2-seeded Marquette that was upset last year and has some lingering injuries of their own. They are definitely on the nicer side of the bracket as a possible matchup against a 3-seed Kentucky team, who struggles to play defense, in the Sweet Sixteen is a fine draw.
Finally, Colorado has the talent to compete with any team. The Buffalos are led by a three-headed monster in guard KJ Simpson (19.6 ppg), forward Tristen Da Silva (15.8 ppg), and Cody Williams (12.6 ppg). They have guard J’Vonne Hadley and center Eddie Lampkin Jr. who both average over ten points and lead the team in rebounds. These starters help the Buffaloes score 79.3 points per game and are the main reason why Colorado is a strong defensive team. Colorado will have a chance to make it deep in the 2024 March Madness tournament if they can stay hot.
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