Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Tournament 2021: 10 lower-digit seeds capable of pulling an upset

By Jacob Stevenson

Mar 15, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard JaQuori McLaughlin (3) shoots against Cal State Fullerton Titans guard Kyle Allman Jr. (0) in the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard JaQuori McLaughlin (3) shoots against Cal State Fullerton Titans guard Kyle Allman Jr. (0) in the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
NCAA TourLiberty Flames forward Kyle Rode Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA TourLiberty Flames forward Kyle Rode Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Liberty Flames

The Liberty Flames (23-5) are winners of 12 in a row and will face a tough task in the 1st round when they face off against Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State. Liberty has won a first-round game before, in 2019 the Flames defeated Mississippi State. This Liberty team is an excellent offensive team that is really disciplined and plays a really slow tempo like Virginia.

Liberty is playing against Cunningham who was a first-team All-American and likely the 1st pick in the upcoming NBA draft. If Liberty can control the tempo, then it could be hard for Cunningham to find a rhythm. In a way, this is a strength against strength matchup. Both teams are good shooting teams and do a good job of not letting the other team shoot a good percentage.

Even though you have to take into account the competition Liberty plays in their league compared to Oklahoma State. For Liberty to win Darius McGhee needs to play well. He is one of the best players in the country that you probably don’t know.

McGhee was the ASUN Player of the Year averaging 15.6 points on a 45.8/84.8/41/3 witch is even more impressive because of the tempo they play. Upsetting Oklahoma State is a tall task, but Liberty has done it before if McGhee plays well and if Liberty slows the tempo then they can make it a close game.

Home/NCAA Basketball News