Upset Watch: 3 surprising results to watch for in the Round of 64
The Round of 64 is where upstart teams take their first step toward being the Cinderella story for which everyone roots, and is often scariest for major opponents without an intimate knowledge of how a mid-major team plays.
There is no room for error this time of year, and it's rare for the group of favorites to not have at least one setback once the first round of games is complete. Here are three specific games to watch during the Round of 64 that could produce a surprising result.
Loyola Chicago takes down Miami
One team to keep an eye on when proceedings opens Thursday is No. 11 Loyola Chicago, which will play its first tournament game since 1985 when it takes on No. 6 Miami in the South Region.
The Hurricanes will need all guns blazing to put points on the scoreboard as the Ramblers have allowed just 62.2 points per game (tied for fourth). That task will be more difficult than expected for Miami, who will be without the services of Bruce Brown Jr. due to a foot injury. Brown essentially finished the season tied for the team lead in scoring, so losing a portion of its three-headed monster along with Lonnie Walker IV and Dewan Huell will put the Hurricanes at a disadvantage out of the gate.
Loyola Chicago's offensive prowess shouldn't be ignored either, as it made 39.8 percent of 3-point shots as a team this season, good for a tie for 20th in the nation. That, combined with a superior defensive effort, could be enough to send Miami home early.
St. Bonaventure conquers UCLA, downs Florida
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
St. Bonaventure must defeat UCLA to even make the Round of 64, but one thing it has proven this season is it is more than capable of beating tournament-quality teams.
The Bonnies own victories over the likes of Rhode Island, Syracuse, Davidson, and Buffalo this season, but the team awaiting them in the next round would be their biggest test yet. Florida is slated for the No. 6 spot in the East bracket, but a potential matchup could actually favor the Bonnies in some regards. St. Bonaventure is known for its beyond-the-arc efficiency, converting 39.8 percent of its 3-point attempts as a team. In relation, the Gators have allowed made threes at a rate of 35.7 percent, which puts them in a tie for 231st nationwide.
Florida has managed to hold opponents to under 70 points a game on average, but the idea of an upset isn't all that outlandish If St. Bonaventure can get on a roll.
New Mexico State deletes Clemson
Clemson established itself as one of the toughest teams to score on in 2018 after it allowed just shy of 65.8 points per contest, but the luck of the draw has placed the Tigers up against one of the only teams with a stronger reputation for denying opponent scoring.
New Mexico State enters the tournament not just as a stingy defensive team, but also one of the nation's best at rebounding. The Aggies hauled in an average of 41.48 rebounds per contest this year (fourth), while the Tigers managed 35.47 (173rd). New Mexico State is also one of only 10 teams in the country to hold opponents to less than 40-percent shooting (39.2 percent), and while Clemson is not far behind (41 percent), the Aggies could very well suffocate the Tigers' offense if they can limit their mistakes.
It's important to note Clemson is without senior forward Donte Grantham because of a season-ending knee injury, which has left the Tigers without one of their best rebounders and on-court leaders. Despite the difference in seeding, New Mexico State may be in prime position to be the latest facilitator of the 5-12 upset.
(Statistics courtesy: NCAA.com)