Who Will Be This Year’s Cinderella

The 64-team field in the NCAA starts today with 16 games and the second half will play tomorrow in another 16 games. One of the best things about the NCAA Tournament is having what has been called a “Cinderella.” A team that comes out of nowhere and makes major noise during the tournament another reason these next two and a half weeks are known as March Madness.

Last season was a fine example, Connecticut entered the tournament as a No. 7 seed and won the national championship with a victory over No. 8 seeded Kentucky.

This season Kentucky is the overwhelming favorite to win the national title. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are strong this season and look for most of them to be playing in the Elite Eight week from this Saturday and Sunday.

However, that does not mean there are not sleepers out there ready to step up and wear the title of Cinderella. Here are four teams, one from each region that could surprise and could win a couple of games that they are not expected to win.Michigan State No. 7 – East Region

Teams under Tom Izzo are tough during the postseason. If, Branden Dawson is healthy and on his game, the Spartans will big. Add in Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine and the Spartans can contend for the region. Last year the Spartans defeated Virginia and the teams will meet this year in the round of 32 if both win the first game.

Texas No. 11 – Midwest

Earlier in the season, Texas was a top 10 team, but they struggled to make it into the 68-team field. They are quick, have good size and could win one or two games they are not supposed to. Myles Turner has played better with each game and could be one of the big factors in his team’s success.

Utah No. 5 – South

Larry Krystkowiak the coach of Utah and his Utes have played well. Deion Wright was surprisingly not chosen as the Player of the Year in the Pac-12. Utah plays its first games out west, which should work in its favor.

Ohio State No. 10 – West

The Buckeyes will have a tough opening game against Virginia Commonwealth, but D’Angelo Russell is capable of taking over a game and Briante Weber the outstanding defender for VCU is out injured. The Buckeyes, with Thad Matta are tournament experienced.