NCAA Tournament 2021: 5 sleeper teams that can make a deep run
By Tobias Bass
UConn Huskies (15-7)
The last time the UCONN was a 7-seed they won a championship behind great guard play from Shabazz Napier and elite team defense. This year’s team led by star-guard James Bouknight and head coach Bobby Hurley have the same opportunity.
According to Haslametrics, the Huskies are 15th in defensive efficiency and rank in the top-50 in each of the four major defensive shooting categories. They only Allow 49.2% shooting around the basket (2nd best in the country), 29.9% of their three-pointers (21st), 33.9% of their mid-range field goals (35th), and 38.2% of their total shots from the field (fourth). The Huskies have won five of their last six games and are playing well at the right time.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-8)
There are three truths in this life. Death, taxes, and old wins in March. The six leading scorers for the Yellow Jackets are all upper-classmen. Led by ACC Player of the Year Moses Wright and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jose Alvarado, Georgia Tech has won eight games in a row including an impressive win over Florida State in the ACC championship game.
*Wright will be out for the first two rounds due to covid-related issues
This Josh Pastner-coached team is ranked 25th in offensive efficiency, scoring more than 111 points every 100 possessions. Georgia Tech is one of the nation’s most effective teams finishing around the rim as they are ranked second in the country in near-proximity field goal percentage, making 71.8% of their shots from up-close.