NCAA Tournament Staff Picks: Bracket Busters
Find out which Cinderella teams our staff likes to bust some NCAA Tournament brackets
Brad Pinkerton - Mar 17, 2022, 9:44am EDT
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Dan Karpuc: No. 13 South Dakota State (Midwest)
I’m in love with three different No. 13 seeds, but this is my favorite. The Jackrabbits averaged 85.5 points per game this season, which ranked second in the nation. The main reason for that was their amazing shooting from 3-point range. They shot a ridiculous 44.2% as a team from deep, which led the entire nation, ranked second in overall shooting percentage (52.1%) and 16th in average scoring margin (+11.0). Like some of the teams before them, they’ve also been on quite the heater, having won 21 consecutive games dating back to the middle of December (the longest active streak in D-I). In case you’re skeptical about whether or not their offense can hang with better conferences, they put up 88 points in a loss to then-No. 14 Alabama in their second game of the season back in November. Even though the Jackrabbits may be a popular early-round pick, I like them to win multiple games. Don’t be shocked if you see them in the Elite 8! They’ll have to upset No. 4 Providence first.
Lucy Burdge: No. 13 Vermont (West)
I got a sign from the universe on the street the other day when I heard someone say, “Hammer the Catamounts,” so I’m taking Vermont all the way past Gonzaga in the Elite 8, before ultimately losing to Kentucky in the Final Four. Consider that comment a glass slipper, if you will, that I picked up off the street and fit into my bracket. This might sound crazy, but it’s really not all that crazy. Vermont went 28-5 this season and won the basketball program’s ninth America East tournament title, which is a league record. So they are no slouches and I think they have more of a chance to bust some brackets than people give them credit for.
Nick Ashooh: No. 10 Loyola Chicago (South)
I mean, they keep creating chaos, so why wouldn't you consider them again? I love the experience this team has after last year's Sweet 16 run, and that can go a long way this time of year, just like any team that's riding a hot streak. Four of Loyola's top six scorers are seniors, and they're used to playing under pressure as an underdog. There's also the fact that their first-round matchup with No. 7 Ohio State is sitting anywhere from Loyola -1 to a pick 'em, and it's clear there's a lot of confidence this team can create more chaos this year. Their second-round matchup would likely be No. 2 Villanova, but, hey, we've seen them pull off plenty of surprises before, getting to the Final Four in 2018, so don't count out the Ramblers in 2022.
Brad Pinkerton: No. 14 Colgate (Midwest)
When looking for a David who can take down a Goliath (or two), I look for a team that can shoot 3s with accuracy -- and one facing a Goliath who's not that big. Colgate ranked second nationally with a 40.3 3P% behind only South Dakota State's ridiculous 44.9 3P%. The Raiders also made 9.9 3s per game, the highest average of any tournament team. If the 3s are falling, Colgate can beat anyone, including the not-so-big Goliaths in their region, starting with No. 3 Wisconsin and the winner between No. 6 LSU and No. 11 Iowa State. There's a decent chance we see the Raiders raining 3s in the Sweet 16 as well.
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