X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2019 NCAA Tournament: Five Teams That Could Surprise

Daniel Benjamin gives five sleeper picks for your March Madness brackets. These five schools, seeded seventh and higher, are capable of advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The 2019 NCAA Tournament is about ready to take over the sports world as the second round of the Tournament will get underway on Thursday and Friday.

Every year there's one at least one team that "shocks the world" and makes a run to the Sweet 16/Elite Eight and sometimes to the Final Four -- Loyola (Chicago), VCU, George Mason, Butler, etc... Is there such a team this year? Maybe.

They do call it March Madness for a reason. All teams listed are seeded seventh or lower. Here are five sleepers to keep an eye on as the tournament unfolds this week.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out the rest of our NCAA Tournament articles and analysis, including a guide on how to fill out your brackets. Read our March Madness picks, sleepers, busts and predictions for the EastWestSouth and Midwest regions.

 

No. 13 Vermont Catamounts

The Catamounts are a solid team that knows how to win as Vermont has won at least 27 games in each of the last three seasons. Defense is the Cats mantra as they are good at getting stops and keeping opponents off of the offensive glass. Vermont is holding its opponents to just .86 points per shot and 42 percent shooting from the field overall.  The Catamounts are collecting 78.8 percent of all defensive rebounds, which is the second highest percentage in the nation.

It is not all about the defense for the Cats, as Anthony Lamb, an NBA prospect, and Ernie Duncan are proven scorers. Lamb has always been a reliable scorer and rebounder, but he has improved his ball-handling and three-point shooting this year. The 6-foot-6 junior is averaging 21.4 points along with 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor as well as 41.3 percent from long distance.

Vermont's lack of size, particularly in the frontcourt, could end the Cats' Tournament run before it even starts.

 

No. 12  Oregon Ducks

Expectations were high at the beginning of the year for the preseason #14 Ducks as junior point guard Payton Pritchard, and senior forward Paul White returned. Coach Dana Altman also brought in highly touted prospects Bol Bol, Louis King, Will Richardson, and Miles Norris as part of his 2018 recruiting class. Bol Bol got off to a fabulous start but only appeared in nine games as a result of a season-ending foot injury. The Ducks were 6-3 at the time of Bol's injury, and they went 9-9 over the next 18 games.

Oregon enters the Tournament on an eight-game winning streak, with seven of the eight victories by double-digits, behind the superb play of King and Pritchard. King has scored in double-figures in six of the eight games while Pritchard has done so on seven occasions.

The Ducks are very long with four starters standing at least 6-foot-9 or taller, which has helped them finish the regular season with the 18th best defensive efficiency, per KenPom. The Ducks also rank 12th in block percentage and 20th in steal percentage. In addition, they have held seven of their last eight opponents to under 61 points.

Oregon's biggest issue is offense. Besides not having a go-to-scorer, the Ducks decision-making leaves a lot to be desired, as does their shot selection.

If the Ducks can generate enough offense, they are good enough defensively to still be alive on the second weekend. Oregon has limited its opponents to 40.2 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent from beyond the arc this season, which ranks 22nd and 11th nationally.  The Ducks have five wins over Tournament teams.

 

No. 12 Murray State Racers

Murray State has won 11 straight games, which coincides with the insertion of 6-foot-8 junior college transfer Darnell Cowart into the starting lineup. But make no mistake, the Racers chances of advancing past Mississippi State in the Round of 64 and beyond depends on how well top-NBA prospect Ja Morant performs. The 6-foot-2 point guard is an incredibly explosive athlete who attacks the paint at will and can knock down perimeter jumpers on a semi-consistent basis. But Morant is more than just a scorer as he is also the NCAA's assist leader at 10 dimes per game. He has scored 20 or more points on 25 occasions and posted double-digit assists 18 times.

 

No. 8 Syracuse Orange

The Orange are not in good form, losing six of nine. However, they have a habit of making surprising Tournament runs as a result of how difficult it is for opponents to prepare for their patented 2-3 zone. A few recent examples: last season the Orange tied for 10th in the ACC and were a First Four participant, but they ended up winning three games to reach the Sweet 16, and two years prior, Syracuse was tied for ninth in the ACC and made it to the Final Four.

So, how can the Orange make a similar run? The top reason is that the Orange own the 24th-most efficient defense in the country as they are tall and long with each of SU's top eight players standing 6-foot-5 or taller. Syracuse ranks 41st in the nation in scoring defense (65.7), 17th in field goal percentage (39.8 percent), 43rd in two-point field goal percentage (46.5 percentage) and 72nd in three-point percentage (32.3 percent). The Orange are also 14th in steal percentage and second in block percentage.

Offensively, the 'Cuse is not the most efficient. However, guard Tyus Battle is an excellent scorer and shot-maker. But he will need help from Oshae Brissett as well as Elijah Hughes for the Orange to have any chance of advancing. Syracuse has victories over Duke, Ohio State, Louisville, and Northeastern.

While Battle, who missed the ACC Tournament due to a back injury, is expected to be ready for Thursday's game against Baylor, junior guard Frank Howard will not play as he has been suspended for a policy violation.

 

No.7 Nevada Wolf Pack

While it is likely the four teams listed above, with the possible exception of Syracuse, will not survive past the Round of 16, if they can get there in the first place, the Wolf Pack are different. If Nevada is able to play at it neck-breaking pace and aggressively, the Pack could reach at least the Elite Eight if not the Final Four.

Nevada is an experienced and talented squad that is long and versatile. The Martin twins -- Caleb and Cody -- along with Jordan Caroline lead the way for the Wolfpack, which ranks in the top-35 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Laken Tomlinson

Confident in Texans Offensive Line
J.K. Dobbins

the Starter in Denver?
JT Woods

Seahawks Release JT Woods
Darren Waller

Trade to Miami Becomes Official
Asante Samuel Jr.

Dolphins Interested in Asante Samuel Jr.
Nyheim Hines

Seeking Return to NFL
Dak Prescott

Expects to be Full-Go for Training Camp
Ajay Mitchell

Posts 16 Points in Summer League Win on Monday
Milwaukee Bucks

Vasilije Micic Waived by Bucks
Brice Sensabaugh

Logs 37 points in Summer League Win on Monday
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
GG Jackson II

Collects 27 Points in Summer League Loss
Ace Bailey

Scores 18 Points in Summer League Victory
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Kobe Bufkin

Cleared for Summer League Action
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Milwaukee Bucks

Vasilije Micic Agrees to Contract Buyout with Bucks
PGA

Sungjae Im Still a Liability at Scottish Open
James Wiseman

Pacers Bring Back James Wiseman
Ludvig Aberg

is a Solid Option at Scottish Open
Tyrese Haliburton

to Miss Entire 2025-26 Campaign
Paolo Banchero

Signs Historic Five-Year Extension with Magic
Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ketel Marte

Day-to-Day with Groin Tightness
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Hunter Greene

Suffers Setback on Monday
Kyle Lowry

Staying With 76ers
Kyle Anderson

Lands in Utah
Kevin Love

Traded to Jazz in 3-Team Swap
Norman Powell

Traded to Miami
John Collins

Dealt to Clippers
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied For 14 at Travelers Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 61 at Travelers Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Tied For 17 at Travelers Championship
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 11 at John Deere Classic
Viktor Hovland

Withdraws From Travelers Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied For Second at Travelers Championship
Brian Campbell

Wins John Deere Classic
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 10 Points
Harrison Ingram

Limited on Sunday
Golden State Warriors

Isaiah Mobley Drops 16 Points
Ryan Rollins

Staying with Bucks
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
Terry McLaurin

Still Not Pleased with Contract Situation
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Yu Darvish

to Make Season Debut on Monday
MLB

Nationals Fire Dave Martinez, Mike Rizzo
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF