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NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with upset potential in 2023 NCAA Tournament

By Joey Loose

The Peacocks gather before the first half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA tournament at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, March 25, 2022.Ncaa Basketball Ncaa Tournament Saint Peter S Vs Purdue In Sweet 16 Saint Peter S At Purdue
The Peacocks gather before the first half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA tournament at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, March 25, 2022.Ncaa Basketball Ncaa Tournament Saint Peter S Vs Purdue In Sweet 16 Saint Peter S At Purdue /
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NCAA Basketball Charleston Cougars guard Reyne Smith David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Charleston Cougars guard Reyne Smith David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports /

Charleston

The Cougars were one of the early darlings of the college basketball season, entering the rankings for the first time in two decades after a hot start to the season. They beat Virginia Tech back in November and won 20 games in a row before dropping a few in CAA play. Poor shooting efforts doomed them in their two losses, but they’ve played impressively for most of the season and sit at 28-3 before their tournament begins.

Five Cougars average double-digit points per game, and a sixth just misses that mark. Pat Kelsey’s team is brimming with talent, led by senior guard Dalton Bolon averaging 12.7 points a game. Charleston shoots a lot from long range and you’re gonna expect Reyne Smith and Ryan Larson to get their fair share of chances from beyond the arc. Pat Robinson has had a fantastic year coming off the bench while forwards Ante Brzovic and Ben Burnham have really taken a step forward this season.

If the Cougars win the CAA Tournament (they aren’t even the top-seed thanks to Hofstra’s impressive season), then they’re going to be a 12-seed (or higher) that nobody wants to face. This team knows how to win games, has already beaten a power conference foe, and play consistent team basketball. If one of their starters has a bad night, then the others will pick up the pace. In their current 7-game winning streak, they’ve made double-digit 3-pointers in all but one game; making those types of shots in the Big Dance could lead to some impressive results against an unsuspecting 5-seed.

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