March Madness: 10 teams that deserve your fandom

By Doug Winkey | Mar 16, 2017

Mar 11, 2017; Birmingham, AL, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders head coach Kermit Davis with Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward Reggie Upshaw (30) and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward JaCorey Williams (22) hold the trophy after defeating the Marshall Thundering Herd for the Conference USA Tournament Championship at Legacy Arena. Blue Raiders defeated the Herd 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

8 of 11

Nov 13, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Bucknell Bison head coach Nathan Davis talks with center Nana Foulland (20) during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Bucknell Bison

Location: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

First Appearance since: 2013

Name to know: Zach Thomas (16.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 41% 3pt)

Bucknell will represent the Patriot League for the first time in several years after running through the conference tournament. The Bison from Pennsylvania actually have a geographical advantage playing West Virginia in Buffalo for the West region’s 4-13 game.

Junior swing man Zach Thomas is a threat from anywhere, but Bucknell actually has multiple weapons. 6’9″ center Nana Foulland was both Patriot POY and Defensive POY after averaging 14.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Kimbal MacKenzie and Stephen Brown both shot 40 percent from deep and hit 48 and 59 tres, respectively. The “Press Virginia” Mountaineers are a tall order, but Bucknell has the distinction of shocking Kansas years ago. Cheer on the Bison to do it again.

Home/March Madness