2015 NCAA Tournament: Top 10 Possible First-Round Upsets

Mar 15, 2015; Hartford, CT, USA; The Southern Methodist Mustangs celebrate after defeating the Connecticut Huskies during the final round of the American Conference Tournament at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports at XL Center.

10. (11) UCLA vs. (6) SMU, South Region

Why This Upset Will Happen: Woah! You’re telling me that the team who deserves least to be in this tournament is now going to advance!?! Well, they certainly have a chance. For as much as UCLA might NOT deserve to be in this field, they still are a solid team. Norman Powell will likely be the best player on the floor, while Kevon Looney has the potential to make a big impact as well.

The Bruins can keep up with just about any team offensively, averaging 72.0 points per game this season. In the last five games, that average rises to 81 points per game. UCLA have played the big teams (UNC, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Oklahoma) and will be ready for a big moment like this, unlike SMU, whose toughest games this year came against Gonzaga and Arkansas in late November.

On top of all that, UCLA is going to rally around the fact that no one believes they should be in the tournament. Don’t underestimate the effect that will have on a team. This will absolutely be an “us against the world” environment.

Why This Upset Won’t Happen: Well, UCLA doesn’t belong in this tournament. They aren’t one of the 68 best teams in the nation and SMU undoubtedly is. Think back to SMU’s game against UConn in the AAC tournament final. UConn was red-hot, playing in a home game, playing with nothing to lose.

SMU not only won the game, but they completely took UConn out of the game. Up until Ryan Boatright‘s injury when the Mustangs took their foot on the gas, SMU held an 18-point lead and was dominating the game. This could be much of the same against UCLA.

Next: Stephen F. Austin vs. Utah