With the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tipping off, the hosts and producers at 104.5 ESPN and the writers at LouisianaSports.net are making their picks for the biggest Cinderella team in the field.
Will it be a double-digit seed making a deep run, a mid-major shocking the world, or a dark horse ready to bust brackets?
Jacob Hester, Co-Host, Off the Bench: Gonzaga Bulldogs. Mark Few and Gonzaga have made it to the Sweet 16 in nine straight seasons. They just know how to handle the tournament as well as anyone. This year will be more challenging with them being an 8-seed and potentially having to face off with 1-seed Houston in the second round, but if anyone is ready for it, it’s the Zags.
T-Bob Hebert, Co-Host, Off the Bench: I think Clemson is going to be the Cinderella national champion because Dabo is BACK! Also, there is a distinct lack of concrete in Clemson, South Carolina.
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: I like Colorado State more and more. I don’t know how Cinderella they are, but keep an eye on the Rams.
Alondra Villareal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: McNeese because Will Wade.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: Utah St, a 10-seed, has piled up 10 wins vs Q1 and Q2 teams. They play a very beatable UCLA team in the first round, then potentially a matchup with Tennessee, who can at times be offensively challenged.
Jimmy Ott, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: UC San Diego
Hunt Palmer, Host, Hunt Palmer Show: Drake is a 30-win team that plays great defense and has two P-5 wins.
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, Hunt Palmer Show: Gonzaga. You may be thinking, Gonzaga? An underdog? The Zags are just an 8-seed in this edition of the NCAA Tournament, the lowest they’ve been since they were an 11-seed in 2015. Gonzaga’s arch-nemesis St. Mary’s got the better of them in the regular season, but they avenged those losses in the WCC Conference Championship. Mark Few has made 10 straight Sweet 16’s, and with less pressure than usual, maybe the Bulldogs can surprise everyone and make a deep run.
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: Colorado State. The Rams have won 10 straight. I’ll ride the hot hand.
Matt Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: Creighton. Veteran club that can create matchup problems for many. Really solid program year in and year out.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: Drake Bulldogs. Drake has a favorable bracket where if they run the table, they can make a deep run. Drake plays a slower game than most, which could benefit them and allow them to take over a game late.
Chris Marler, Social Media Manager/SEC Content Writer: Yale over Texas A&M. This feels lame because Yale knocked out Auburn a year ago and I really like Wade Taylor IV and A&M’s ability to rebound. But, the moment won’t be too big for Yale. They have the three time Ivy League defensive player of the year in the post and John Poulakidas is lethal from deep. HE had 28 last year in round one over Auburn, and Yale shot a ridiculous 55% from three in the Ivy League title game. A close second is UC San Diego over Michigan.
Ross Jackson, New Orleans Saints Writer: Yale Bulldogs because 12-seed teams aren’t a surprise anymore and I’ll bet Yale guys are super smart.
Rivers Hughey, Digital Media Manager: UNC. Just kidding. Yale has a chance to add another SEC upset to its resume after taking down Auburn last year. With both teams excelling in rebounding, I think this should be a battle.
