The Scariest Small-School Teams - Brendan Darr's Blog

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The Scariest Small-School Teams Stuck

Posted on March 4, 2013 at 07:39 PM.

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With the NCAA Tournament almost upon us, and conference tournaments ramping up Tuesday, let's take a look at some of the scarier small school teams.

These teams will likely be a 12-seed or below with the ability to pull an upset or two. They are also not from the six power conferences or the top-four mid-majors (Atlantic 10, Conference USA, Missouri Valley or West Coast conferences). I also left out Middle Tennessee State, Akron and Louisiana Tech. They aren't traditional powers, but the MAC, Sun Belt and the WAC aren't small potatoes compared to the Patriot League or SoCon.

Most of the teams will need to win their conference tournaments to get in, but keep an eye out for them during their tournaments. With that in mind, here are the five scariest teams:

1) Bucknell/Lehigh

Here's the problem. One of them will not make the tourney, but both could go off once they're in. Lehigh is the more likely of the two to miss the tournament. C.J. McCollum seems like he may miss the entire Patriot League tournament, making it even more difficult for Lehigh to make it.

Bucknell, on the other hand, is led by Mike Muscala and has been healthy all year. I've had a few chances to see Muscala the last two years and he's damn impressive -- even at a lower-level league. Muscala can lead the Bison to an upset or two in the tournament. They may just be able to pull a similar upset to their victory over Kansas in 2005.

2) Belmont

The Bruins have five losses on the season that would be acceptable even for high-major schools. They could, albeit a stretch, make it in to the tournament even if they don't win their conference tournament, assuming they lose to Murray State in the final.

Belmont has four players averaging in double-figures in points, plus a fifth averaging 9.9 points. Their balance will be their biggest strength in the tournament. Most small schools rely heavily on one player, but with Belmont's depth and balance opposing teams can't just key in on Ian Clark.

3) South Dakota State

The Jackrabbits have the best win of any team on this list with a victory in The Pit over New Mexico. SDSU also has the most impressive offensive player on this list in Nate Wolters. The guard became just the fifth player in NCAA history to average 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in 2011-12.

Well, Wolters will become the first player to ever do it twice this season. Obviously SDSU will be in for a dog fight in the Summit League tournament. Western Illinois, North Dakota State and Oakland all pose a threat to the Jackrabbits, but they are the team to beat.

4) Davidson

There's probably not a Stephon Curry-like run in this team, but they could spring an upset or two. They haven't lost in a month and a half (Georgia Southern) and while that loss isn't good, they have some decent early-season wins over power conference teams. Vanderbilt and West Virginia aren't tournament teams, but it's definitely a step up from Furman.

Davidson has to win their conference tournament, but with a 17-1 league record you would have to believe they are far-and-away the favorite.

5) Murray State

The Racers have lost four of their last six and five of their last ten. This has killed any hope of their at-large chances. They have to beat Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference Final for any hope to make it. Isiah Canaan is one of the best players in the country and you'd hope he was able to make in his final go around.

The Racers unbelievable run last year landed them a six-seed, obviously they won't be that high this year, but that should have prepared them for another run this year if they make it.

Just Missed: Stony Brook, Montana and Weber State

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