March Madness 2022: Predicting every First Round upset in the NCAA Tournament

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 13: Payton Sandfort #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a layup over Sasha Stefanovic #55 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of the Men’s Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Iowa Hawkeyes won the game 75-66 over the Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

9. Potential March Madness upsets – Midwest Region: No. 12 Richmond vs. No 5. Iowa

Statistics say that you should always pick at least one 5-12 upset when you’re filling out your bracket. 15 different 12-seeds have scored first round wins since 2012, including three in 2019 alone and Oregon State advancing to the Elite Eight as 12-seed last season.

This makes a ton of sense since the 12-seeds are usually strong mid-major teams taking on Power 5 programs that are a notch below the nation’s best. A good 5-12 upset pick comes in the Midwest Region, where Iowa could find themselves vulnerable to getting picked off by red-hot Richmond.

People will be very high on the Hawkeyes after their Big Ten title but Iowa has historically underachieved in March under head coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes have never reached the Sweet 16 under McCaffery and have gotten bounced in the Round of 32 in their last four trips to the NCAA Tournament, including last season as a No. 2 seed by Oregon despite having the presence of National Player of the Year Luka Garza.

The Spiders are rolling after winning their way into the bracket by capturing the A-10’s automatic bid and are loaded with experienced players like super seniors Jacob Gilyard, Grant Golden and Nathan Cayo. Don’t be shocked if Richmond stuns Iowa on their way to the Round of 32.

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