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) /

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MORAGA, CA – DECEMBER 14:St. Mary’s Gaels guard Jordan Ford (30) driving to the hoop during the regular season game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the St. Mary’s Gaels on December 14, 2016 at the McKeon Pavilion, Moraga, CA (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Saint Mary’s Gaels

Randy Bennett may be one of the most adaptable coaches in college basketball, and his recent successes with Saint Mary’s have only echoed that statement.

Last year, fresh off of losing not only an All-American big man in Jock Landale, but also an All-Conference point guard in Emmett Naar, Saint Mary’s still found a way to sneak into the National Tournament in March.

Saint Mary’s continuously finds a way to crack the tournament bubble and finish in the top-three of the WCC year in, and year out under Bennett, and one of these times, that dedication and performance is sure to pay off in a big way — more likely than not, with a Cinderella run in the tournament.

Saint Mary’s returns key pieces to their team in Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts, Tanner Krebs and former grad transfer from Seattle Aaron Menzies, who measures up as a giant in this lineup at seven-foot-three.

Pair an experienced, talented roster with athleticism, with an increase in performance from Menzies post-injury (which, notably, was to his hand, not anything leg related as is typical with that much height) and this could be the season that really pays off for Saint Mary’s.

Give Randy Bennett a chance to work his magic, and let him see if he can turn this pumpkin into a Cinderella-style chariot.