NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Virginia, and Duke under most pressure

2019 NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Virginia, and Duke under most pressure to win

By Connor Hope | Mar 18, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts after a play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 29: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers brings the ball up court as Kevin McClain #11 of the Belmont Bruins defends at Mackey Arena on December 29, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

10) Purdue Boilermakers

Despite the numerous appearances and multiple talented teams, Purdue has not made it past the Sweet 16 since 2000. This year, the Boilermakers won a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Championship, but late losses to Minnesota and inability to win consistently away from home have put doubt on Purdue’s strength. It has not only made them an unlikely Elite Eight pick, many people already have Old Dominion as a popular upset pick on their brackets.

With Head Coach Matt Painter calling plays, Carsen Edwards lighting up the scoreboard, and one of the best offensive rebounding frontcourt, the Boilermakers should expect to win a couple games. Their success, however, falls on the role players. The lack of true fifth and sixth scoring options has forced Painter to use the entire bench, and this could be either a blessing or a curse in the Tournament. Edwards may have all the pressure on his shoulders, but he will need to involve his teammates if Purdue is to make their first Elite Eight run in 19 years.

9) Belmont Bruins

The Mid-Majors have finally started to gain some ground in the ever-changing landscape that is the NCAA Tournament bubble, and Belmont benefited with a bid to play in Dayton. Now they just need to show that the committee made the right decision. They have a game against Temple, followed by a first round matchup against Maryland, if they win. The entire mid-major world will be watching those games, cheering on the Bruins to prove to the country that these small schools can hang with the big boys.

Belmont doesn’t even have to win a game to prove their worth, they just have to hang with their opponents. They should be able to beat Temple, but the game against Maryland will be a huge gut check. Keeping it close with validate the committee’s decision, pulling the upset with vindicate all those who carry the torch for the little guys. Lose big, and the high-major bubble teams will all have a reason to cry foul, especially NC State.

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