Casting Cinderella: 10 teams that can be March Madness darlings

SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 17: Kameron Edwards #20 and Eric Cooper #2 of the Pepperdine Waves attempt to box out Silas Melson #0 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs after a free throw in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 17, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Pepperdine 81-67. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

6 of 11

BROOKLYN, NY – MARCH 16: Davidson Wildcats Guard Kellan Grady (31) dribbles the ball with Saint Louis Billikens Guard Tramaine Isabell Jr. (2) defending during the second half of the game between the St. Louis Billikens and the Davidson Wildcats on March 16, 2019, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Davidson Wildcats

Sure, there may not be a Stephen Curry caliber player on this year’s Davidson team.

That, however, doesn’t mean we might not see a run similar to the Wildcat’s run in 2008 in true Cinderella fashion.

Kellan Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson are arguably the best backcourt duo in the wild landscape that is the mid-major guard competition, and last year’s lack of depth and experience shouldn’t be a worry again this season, as the Wildcats return their top six players from Bob McKillop’s talented squad last year.

The Cats are still a jump-shot reliant team in many ways, but Gudmundsson presents a driving scorer and board-crasher, and the Davidson is incredibly tenacious on the defensive side of the ball as well, frequently sending all five players back fast to slow transition opportunities.

A short bench should no longer be a problem for Davidson, as you can expect to see more of players like David Czerapowicz, Carter Collins and KiShawn Pritchett down the stretch. Pritchett is nearly a sure-fire behind the three-point line, leading the A-10 in three-point percentage last year.

Davidson should be competing for an A-10 title this year alongside VCU and Dayton, and a spot for the annual Cinderella run if they can cure some of the inconsistencies that harmed them so much last season.

Armed with one what should be a nationally elite offense when everything is said and done, as well as a transition-stifling defensive scheme under their legendary head coach, Davidson should be set for their first at-large Tourney bid since 2015, and may just prove to be the unexpected seed that plays Cinderella and shatters brackets come March.