Mid-Majors First Round Upsets

There are always people who argue against letting the Mid-Majors into the March Madness tournament while good teams from high profile programs are relegated to the NIT but after Gonzaga’s Elite 8 run in 1999 and George Mason’s incredible 2006 run to the Final Four the arguments have subsided a little. The NCAA selection committee has become fans, with 8 mid majors taking at large bids this year.

Major programs never want to suffer a first round upset to a Mid-Major but as we see every year that it’s a common occurrence, let’s have a look at the first round matchups where the Mid-Major has a chance and see if we can determine this year’s Cinderella. If the line was more than 10 points, I didn’t include it here, but the inclusion of Sam Houston and Morgan State over Virginia Tech will give the anti-mid major groups more ammunition.

# 13 Siena Saints +4

# 4 Purdue Boilermakers -4

I love Siena here as far as upset capability here, the Boilermakers are without their top player and the Saints will be looking to repeat their performance from last season where they upset Ohio State and took Louisville to the limit. Sienna Cinderella Rating - 5 Cinderellas

UTEP +3

Butler -3

The Butler Bulldogs aren’t surprising anyone this year, earning a number 5 ranking but we all know at least one number 5 falls to a 12 seed every tournament. Considering the line opened at 2 points, I have a feeling the college basketball odds makers know something. Butler Cinderella rating - 1 Cinderella

Florida State -1½

Gonzaga +1½

The Zags are routinely one of the best mid-majors in College basketball, they get a favorable draw against FSU, the Seminoles won 10 in-conference games but 8 came against teams with under .500 win loss record. Gonzaga Cinderella rating: 4 Cinderellas

Saint Mary’s CA +1½

Richmond -1 ½

The Gaels and the Spiders are a mid-major matchup so one of them will advance to a second game. This game will be a high scoring affair, as both teams can fill the bucket. Saint Mary’s is coming off a blowout win of the Gonzaga Bull Dogs but the Gaels haven’t won in the tournament in over 50 years, I don’t think this year will be any different. Saint Mary’s Cinderella Rating – 1 Cinderella, Richmond’s Cinderella Rating – 2.5 Cinderella

Cornell +4

Temple -4

Cornell and Temple play in another mid-major matchup with the Temple Owls in the 5 seed and the Cornell Big Red in the 12 th seed of the East regional but don’t expect a 12 over 5 upset here, the Owls won the Atlantic 10 for the third consecutive season and this year the A10 was probably its toughest in years. Cornell Cinderella Rating – 1 Cinderella, Temple Cinderella rating 4 Cinderellas

Minnesota -1

Xavier +1

I love this matchup; Xavier, the sixth seed is getting a point against a team that slid into the tournament with an undeserved 11 th seed. Xavier may not make it past Pitt in the next round but Minnesota should be easy money for the Musketeers. Xavier Cinderella Rating – 2 Cinderellas