Bracketology: 10 teams with Cinderella potential in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

Buffalo Bulls

Current Bracketology Status: No. 6 seed.

Buffalo has been viewed as a mid-major with the potential for a deep run since the opening week of the year. In just the second game of the season (Nov. 9), the Bulls went on the road and took down West Virginia in OT in what was an eye-opening performance by CJ Massinburg. Looking back, this was not exactly the great win many thought it would be but Buffalo has looked great since then as well. The Bulls ended their regular season on a nine-game winning streak and with a 28-3 (16-2 MAC) record.

And with senior leadership up and down the roster, it is easy to see why the Bulls will be a trendy pick to make a deep run in the Big Dance. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that they are already a national name for their 21-point beatdown of Arizona in the first round a year ago. With Massinburg, as well as Nick Perkins and Jeremy Harris, leading the way, Buffalo seemingly has all of the ingredients needed to make the second-weekend and scare a top-rated team.

Nate Oats is clearly one of the top mid-major coaches in the entire nation and his team can hang with anybody. Although they are well-known as an offensive juggernaut due to their efficiency and tempo, this team can also lock in on the defensive end of the floor. They are one of the few teams in the nation to be ranked in the top-35 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and do a ton of things right on both ends of the floor. Perhaps above all other factors, the Bulls do a superb job defending the perimeter.