2015 NCAA Tournament: Top 10 Possible First-Round Upsets
By Jacob Rude
Mar 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Richaud Pack (20) is defended by Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) , guard Travis Trice (20) and guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) during the first half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
7. (13) Valparaiso vs. (4) Maryland, Midwest Region
Why This Upset Will Happen: Maryland are a vulnerable team if their big three don’t play great, and the Crusaders are a team who could take advantage of that fact. The Terrapins’ biggest weakness is that their three-headed monster of Dezmine Wells, Melo Trimble, and Jake Layman have never played great at the same time together.
Valpo, on the other hand, has a slowed-down, efficient offense that can take advantage of them. At times, Maryland struggle from the field and put up dud performances (@ Indiana, @Illinois, @Iowa). Meanwhile, Valpo will have the underdog mentality coming into this.
Why This Upset Won’t Happen: Well, Trimble, Wells, and Layman. By themselves, they can win a tournament game. The odds of all three of them playing poorly, which really hasn’t happened this year, is very low. It’s really that simple.
Next: Davidson vs. Iowa