Every year in the NCAA Tournament we experience a few teams who fail to reach their potential. A team seeded relatively high always gets upset in the first couple rounds. Last year, the Kansas Jayhawks fell short of the championship hopes with a loss to Northern Iowa in second round of action. This year there are a couple match-ups in particular that may encounter an upset.
#5 Vanderbilt vs. #12 Richmond:
This will be one of the best matchups to tune into for the second round of the 2011 NCAA March Madness. A struggling tournament team in Vanderbilt is forced to take on the recent Atlantic-10 conference champion Richmond Spiders. The Commodores have had a difficult time in their two previous tournament appearances, losing last year to Murray State, and in 2008 falling to Siena. Both of those were 4-13 match-ups, and against teams that had also just won their respective conferences. Vanderbilt might have a better all around basketball team, but can they finally overcome the weight and pressure of the Big Dance and defeat the Spiders?
#6 St. John’s vs. #11Gonzaga:
St. John’s has proved that they can beat teams that are more talented, and better on paper, this season in the Big East. However, with the loss of their playmaker and top rebounder, DJ Kennedy, it is unlikely they’ll be able to cruise by Gonzaga in this second round face-off. The ‘Zags have won the last 8 consecutive games, including the WCC Championship. With the leadership and experience of Steven Gray and Robert Sacre, also the teams leaders in points, assists, rebounds, and blocks, they have an advantage over the Red Storm players that are in the tournament for the first time.
written by: Hayley Zedeck
image via breitbart.com
Completely with you on these, Hayley. I'd add Kansas St-Utah State as another upset to watch.
ReplyDelete