3 teams that could wear Cinderella's slipper in the NCAA tournament

Want to play a bracket contest with a chance to win big money? Try theScore $100K Team Tourney Challenge! Download theScore app on iOS or Android and play today!

Gus Johnson won't be there screaming about slippers still fitting, but you can be sure that the term "Cinderella" is used at least once during the NCAA tournament this year.

A double-digit seed taking down one of the big programs is arguably the best part of March Madness, and the 2017 edition is no different.

Cinderella rules state that a team must be at least an 11-seed to qualify for the role, meaning 10th-seeded teams Wichita State and Marquette, while very attractive double-digit seed outfits, do not qualify.

Here are three teams to keep an eye on:

(12) Middle Tennessee

First Round Opponent: (5) Minnesota

Two things are in play with Middle Tennessee as an upset pick in the first round. First, the Blue Raiders are no strangers to shocking the world in the NCAA tournament, taking down No. 2 Michigan State as a 15-seed last year. Second, not even the most ardent Minnesota supporter agrees that the Golden Gophers should have been a 5-seed.

The betting line reflects that as Middle Tennessee is actually favored by a point. Think about that for a second, the 12-seed is FAVORED over a 5-seed. Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw lead the way for the 30-4 Blue Raiders, who already beat two tournament teams this season in Vanderbilt and UNC-Wilmington.

One drawback to all the buzz Middle Tennessee is getting is that the Golden Gophers certainly will not be surprised by their lower-ranked opponent.

(11) Rhode Island

First round opponent: (6) Creighton

Rhode Island ripped off an eight-game winning streak to end the season and clinch an NCAA tournament berth, and will face sixth-seeded Creighton in the opening round. The Bluejays haven't been the same team since losing starting point guard Maurice Watson Jr. to a season-ending injury, but did end the campaign as the 13th-best 3-point shooting team in the country. Luckily for Rams fans, defending the deep ball is exactly where the team thrives, ranking second in the entire country in 3-pointers allowed per game.

The Rams will have to keep the pace of this contest down to have a shot at the upset, but stand a good chance of doing so thanks to a veteran-laden roster. If they pull the upset in the first round, Rhode Island will likely face No. 3 Oregon, a team without its second leading scorer for the tournament. Don't be shocked at a Rams run to the Sweet 16, a place they haven't been since 1998.

(11) Wake Forest

Play-in game opponent: (11) Kansas State
First round opponent: (6) Cincinnati

Wake Forest faces a very difficult play-in game against Kansas State, but if they can get past the Wildcats, consider them a good bet to knock off No. 6 Cincinnati. The Demon Deacons feature one of the most efficient offenses in the country, finding themselves eighth in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's rankings. That sets up quite the contrast in styles, as both Kansas State and Cincinnati boast top-30 defenses.

Neither Kansas State nor Cincinnati have anybody that can slow down star forward John Collins, who poured in 18.9 points per game this season. Bryant Crawford provides the pop from the outside, dropping 16.1 points per game while also adding 5.4 assists per contest.

While it may be tough for Wake Forest to keep up with No. 3 UCLA in the second round, don't put it past the Demon Deacons to get that far.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)