The excitement of March Madness is upon us, and with it comes the annual ritual of bracket predictions and upset speculations. This year, several highly regarded teams are facing scrutiny, with questions arising about their vulnerability in the tournament’s high-pressure environment. Here are three teams that could be primed for early exits:
Auburn Tigers: Despite a dominant regular season led by Johni Broome, Auburn’s recent form has raised concerns. While they boast experience and physicality, their tendency for short fuses could prove detrimental in the tournament’s intense atmosphere. Their potential path through the bracket, facing teams like Louisville, Creighton, Texas A&M, or a surging Michigan team, presents a series of challenging matchups that could lead to an early upset.
Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue’s history of March Madness upsets is well-documented, and this year could be no different. Despite exceeding expectations in the post-Zach Edey era, their recent struggles, including six losses in their last nine games, are cause for concern. Their first-round matchup against High Point, an offensively potent team on a long winning streak, is a potential trap game. Should they advance, they could face a tough Clemson team or the popular Cinderella pick McNeese, further increasing the likelihood of an early exit.
Iowa State Cyclones: Iowa State’s prospects have been significantly impacted by the loss of Keshon Gilbert. Their recent decline in form, including losses to lower-ranked teams, has made them vulnerable. Their first-round matchup against the winner of SDSU/UNC is a daunting task. Both potential opponents have shown strong form, with UNC playing their best basketball of the season and SDSU boasting recent March Madness success. Iowa State could find themselves on the wrong end of an upset if they don’t regain their earlier season form.
