Eric Olson, a sports writer for the Associated Press.

The anticipation of unexpected victories in the NCAA Tournament is a crucial aspect of March Madness.

The 68 team bracket will not be revealed until Sunday, however it is likely that one or more top seeded teams will face an early elimination.

Purdue, a popular team, was expected to win by 23 1/2 points in their first round match against Fairleigh Dickinson last year. However, they were upset by the No. 16 seed, continuing a trend of disappointing performances in the tournament. Some speculate that Purdue’s guards struggled to make baskets, while others suggest that the small lineup of Fairleigh Dickinson caused issues for the Boilermakers.

Last year, Kihei Clark’s infamous pass resulted in JP Pegues making the game-winning 3-pointer, causing an upset for No. 4 Virginia by No. 13 Furman. However, the style of play favored Furman as they have a fast-paced tempo and space out on the court, which was challenging for Virginia’s slow-paced game and defense to guard the perimeter. This allowed Furman to stay competitive throughout the game.

Terrence Oglesby, analyst for Field of 68 and television commentator, stated that strategy comes into play when facing a team with a higher seed and exploiting their weaknesses with your strengths. This can prove troublesome for the opposing team.

It is interesting to contemplate the chances of different teams winning the national championship. According to the FanDuel Sportsbook on Tuesday, the heavily injured top-ranked Kansas team is a 35-1 underdog, while San Diego State has odds of 75-1 after making it to the national title game last year. Each season brings new possibilities and different teams.

Here are a few potential top-ranked teams that may be at risk of being upset in the first weekend of the tournament:

The Crimson Tide have the ability to outscore any opponent. The real concern is whether their defense can hold up in a slower-paced game, which is common in tournament play. Mark Sears, a top guard in the nation, leads the highest-scoring and most efficient offense. However, their scoring defense ranks as one of the lowest in the country at 342 out of 351 teams.

The Blue Devils are a strong contender for the Final Four and have dominated in the ACC Tournament. However, their rim protection has decreased since Derek Lively II’s departure, and they have also dealt with an injury to freshman guard Caleb Foster. This could potentially pose a challenge for them against teams with agile guards who can penetrate the defense.

T.J. Otzelberger has done an excellent job improving the Cyclones’ defense in the past three seasons. They had impressive victories over Houston, Kansas, and BYU while maintaining an undefeated record of 18-0 at Hilton Coliseum this year. However, it should be noted that nearly half of their wins at home were against weaker nonconference teams, which could have boosted their NET ranking. There is a worry that the Cyclones may struggle against a team with strong ball control and a dominant guard.

Kevin McCullar, the top scorer in the Big 12, along with Hunter Dickinson and newcomer Johnny Furphy, are the key players in the starting lineup. However, McCullar has a knee injury and Dickinson has dislocated his shoulder, causing them to sit out of the Big 12 Tournament. This puts strain on a limited bench. The Jayhawks have lost eight games in the conference, their highest number since 1988-89. In contrast to their championship win two years ago, they have a poor 3-7 record on the road.

Marquette serves as another illustration of the devastating impact a late-season injury to a crucial team member can have. Tyler Kolek’s absence due to a strained oblique for the past three games and his subsequent exclusion from the Big East Tournament opener on Thursday is a prime example. While Coach Shaka Smart assures that Kolek will be ready for the NCAA Tournament, there are doubts about his condition being at full capacity. When he is in top form, the Golden Eagles have the potential to be a powerhouse team. However, without him, they notably lack the same level of skill. As the best point guard in the country, Kolek has the ability to score 30 points and make double-digit assists on any given night.

The potential for the Boilermakers to secure yet another top seed is high, but their inclusion on this list is due to recent events: a defeat in the first round to Fairleigh Dickinson, who was seeded 16th, in 2023, a loss in the Sweet 16 to 15th seeded Saint Peter’s in 2022, and a first-round upset by 13th seeded North Texas in 2021. In six of their last 10 appearances in the NCAA tournament, they have been eliminated by a lower seeded team. However, this year’s team is stronger than last year’s, with Zach Edey leading the way once again. Perhaps this will be the year that head coach Matt Painter finally reaches the Final Four.

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The Associated Press is providing coverage of March Madness at the following link: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness.

Source: wralsportsfan.com