Who could be this year's Michigan State?
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Michigan State was placed as a No. 2 seed heading into the 2016 NCAA tournament, after having won the Big Ten tournament and being ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.
However, the Spartans were bounced in the opening round, losing to No. 15 Middle Tennessee, just the eighth time a No. 2 seed has lost its opening matchup.
| Year | No. 15 | No. 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Middle Tennessee | Michigan State |
| 2013 | Florida Gulf Coast | Georgetown |
| 2012 | Lehigh | Duke |
| 2012 | Norfolk State | Missouri |
| 2001 | Hampton | Iowa State |
| 1997 | Coppin State | South Carolina |
| 1993 | Santa Clara | Arizona |
| 1991 | Richmond | Syracuse |
Thankfully for all other No. 2s, the Blue Raiders are a No. 12 seed this tournament, but that doesn't mean the four teams shouldn't be sweating.
Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, and Louisville are this year's No. 2 seeds, while Jacksonville State, North Dakota, Northern Kentucky, and Troy are the batch of No. 15 seeds.
For fans of Arizona and Duke, they know what it is like to experience being upset by a No. 15 seed, so to Kentucky and Louisville, you've been warned.
Jacksonville State (Midwest Region)
Record: 20-14
How They Qualified: Won Ohio Valley tournament
1st Round Opponent: Louisville
Tournament Record: 1st appearance
Taking down conference favorite Belmont in the OVC tournament semifinals, the Gamecocks are on a four-game win streak, which helped them qualify for their first ever NCAA tournament.
Head coach Ray Harper is in his first season with Jacksonville State, but everywhere he goes he has success. Harper won two Division II national championships (Kentucky Wesleyan), along with two NAIA titles (Oklahoma City), while taking Western Kentucky to two NCAA tournament second rounds.
North Dakota (West Region)
Record: 22-9
How They Qualified: Won Big Sky tournament
1st Round Opponent: Arizona
Tournament Record: 1st appearance
Like Jacksonville State, North Dakota will be dancing for the first time in program history, after joining the Division I ranks in 2008.
As the fourth winningest program in Division II history, the Fighting Hawks appeared in three Final Fours and are now trying to build on the same success at the highest level.
Quinton Hooker leads the team in scoring, averaging an eye opening 19.1 points and shooting 43.6 percent from behind the arc.
Northern Kentucky (South Region)
Record: 24-10
How They Qualified: Won Horizon League tournament
1st Round Opponent: Kentucky
Tournament Record: 1st appearance
Sticking with the trend, the Norse of Northern Kentucky are also making their first trip to the Big Dance, after making 12 tournaments at the Division II level. It also just happens to be Northern Kentucky's first year to be eligible for the NCAA tournament, after making their transition to Division I.
Four players average double-digit points, but it's Drew McDonald to keep an eye on, as he is a double-double threat each game, while also shooting 38.8 percent from three.
Troy (East Region)
Record: 22-14
How They Qualified: Won Sun Belt tournament
1st Round Opponent: Duke
Tournament Record: 0-1
The only No. 15 seed to have made a previous tournament out of the bunch, Troy is still inexperienced when it comes to March Madness, having only qualified in 2003.
Head coach Phil Cunningham averaged just 10 wins in his first three seasons guiding the Trojans, but increased that number to 22 this year, as Troy finished the season 22-14.
Jordon Varnado is another forward who can score a double-double in any given game, while also being able to make the 3-pointer (37.5 percent).