March Madness Bracket 2016: Predicting the Second Round upsets

No. 15 Middle Tennessee over No. 10 Syracuse

There’s no question that the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders pulled off the biggest upset of the First Round as they knocked off a title contender in the Michigan State Spartans. However, No. 15 seeds moving forward haven’t traditionally had much success after the First Round save for a rare exception or two. However, the Blue Raiders seem primed to be yet another exception to that rule as they take on the Syracuse Orange in the Second Round.

One of the first things that stood out about Middle Tennessee was that they might’ve been underestimated and under-seeded as a No. 15 seed. Not only did they win 24 games in the regular season and conference tournament, but they are also a team ripe with senior leadership and that has a bevy of players that can rise up for big performances on big stages such as this one in the Second Round of March Madness.

Moreover, the Blue Raiders are now up against a Syracuse team that was inconsistent for much of the regular season and could be liable for a letdown game at any moment. The fact that Middle Tennessee shot 11-19 from three in their First Round upset victory also bodes well for facing the Orange’s zone in the Second Round. Though history really isn’t in their favor, I like the No. 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16.

Next: Arkansas-Little Rock over Iowa State