Expectations
We may lob expectations onto these teams in the preseason, but nobody realistically knows what will happen when the games start counting for real. A few of these teams haven’t lived up to early expectations while a few are thriving against very weak foes. In a field without any ranked teams or expected national contenders, there’s a lot of potential for each team.
Each of the four opening round matchups features a power conference program against a mid-major, though it would be foolish to call the power programs the favorites. Both VCU and Nevada have bubble potential this season and could have the talent to make noise in the NCAA Tournament. They both returned impressive talent and have looked the part in the early days of this season.
At the same time, one of these new-look teams could certainly thrive in this kind of environment. We’ve seen Florida Atlantic play several tight games, already playing in multiple overtime contests this season, and that’s an experience that a Miami or Oklahoma State just doesn’t have right now. How important is that experience, even for a team that’s had their issues on defense?
There’s almost nothing that can happen in this tournament that would be a massive surprise. There are certainly favorites, as we’ve mentioned before, but this field also presents an opportunity. A new team like Drake or Vanderbilt could certainly find their footing and explode onto the scene while Seton Hall can exorcize those early demons with a strong showing in Charleston.