As the NCAA Tournament begins this week, basketball fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the excitement, drama and upsets that characterize March Madness. While perennial powerhouses often dominate the headlines, the tournament’s charm lies in the potential for Cinderella stories, where underdog teams defy expectations and make deep runs.Â
This year, five teams – Drake, UC San Diego, High Point, Lipscomb and McNeese – are capable of capturing the imagination of fans and pundits alike with their potential for a remarkable journey through the tournament.
Drake Bulldogs
Drake is making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last five years, with the previous three trips coming under former head coach Darian DeVries. This season, the Bulldogs (30-3) have been one of college basketball’s best stories, thriving under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, who arrived after a highly successful 15-year run at the Division II level.
McCollum brought four players with him from Northwest Missouri State. All four have earned starting roles, making a seamless transition to Division I. The team’s mix of experience, chemistry and motivation has been a driving force behind its success.
Junior guard Bennett Stirtz has emerged as the Bulldogs’ star, going from a standout Division II player to the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He’s averaging 19.1 points per game and is among the nation’s top scorers.
Offensively, Drake averages 70.1 points per game on 48.1% shooting, which ranks 28th nationally. Defensively, the Bulldogs have been elite, leading the country in points allowed per game (58.4).
UC San Diego Tritons
UC San Diego is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Tritons claimed a 75–61 win over UC Irvine in the Big West Tournament championship on Saturday night. This marks the Tritons’ first year of eligibility after completing a four-year transition to Division I.
UC San Diego (30-4) enters March Madness as one of the nation’s hottest teams, riding a 15-game winning streak. The Tritons boast a balanced offensive attack, with four players averaging double figures. They score 79.8 points per game and rank among the nation’s top 15 in made 3s (10.8) and 3-point attempts per game (29.6). They also lead the country in the fewest turnovers per game (8.7), a testament to their efficiency and discipline.
Senior guard Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones was named Big West Player of the Year after leading the team in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg), and assists (3.7 apg). Fellow guard Tyler McGhie also earned first-team All-Big West honors, averaging 16.4 points per game.
High Point Panthers
After earning the Big South Conference’s automatic bid, high Point is making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Coach Alan Huss has done a phenomenal job in his two years, leading the Panthers to back-to-back 27-plus win seasons.
The Panthers (29-5) enter the tournament riding a 14-game winning streak. They rank 18th nationally in scoring, averaging 82.2 points per game on 49.4% shooting, seventh-best in the country. Defensively, they allow 68.8 points per game, ranking 78th.
Three players average double figures for High Point. Senior guard Kezza Giffa paces the Panthers with 14.8 points per game.
Lipscomb Bisons
Lipscomb (25-9) is a veteran-laden Lipscomb team, with its top four scorers all seniors. The Bisons’ experience translates into a calm, confident style of play. The Bisons are a well-rounded squad, averaging 79.3 points per game (51st in the nation) while holding opponents to 67.3 points (52nd in the nation).
Offensively, they rely on the 3-point shot, making 9.9 3s per game (29th nationally). Defensively, they limit opponents to 30.8% from beyond the arc (35th in the nation).
Senior forward Jacob Ognacevic, the ASUN Player of the Year, is Lipscomb’s go-to option. This season, Ognacevic is posting a career-high 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 34 contests. He ranks 17th nationally in scoring, with his total of 683 points placing him fourth in the country.
This is Lipscomb’s second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, and the Bisons believe their experience will allow them to surprise teams and make a run in the tournament.
McNeese Cowboys
Coach Will Wade has orchestrated an impressive turnaround in just two seasons at McNeese, transforming the Cowboys into a formidable force on the national stage. This year marks their second NCAA Tournament appearance under Wade’s leadership, a testament to the program’s rapid rise.
McNeese (27–6) enters the tournament on an 11-game winning streak after capturing the Southland Conference title. A year ago, the Cowboys fell to fifth-seeded Gonzaga, but this season, they return with experience, confidence and momentum.
The Cowboys have consistently competed at a high level all year, even in their setbacks — narrow, single-digit losses to Alabama, Liberty and Mississippi State. Their tenacity on both ends of the floor and a well-balanced scoring attack make them a dangerous matchup for any opponent.
Led by a veteran core, McNeese possesses the poise and intangibles necessary for a deep tournament run. Four players average double figures, with Javohn Garcia pacing the team at 12.9 points per game.
The Cowboys are averaging 77.2 points while allowing just 64 per game. They rank 34th nationally in field-goal percentage, shooting an efficient 47.9% from the floor. With strong defense, experience and offensive balance, McNeese is poised to make noise in March.
