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

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 19: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 19, 2022, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

5. Potential March Madness upsets – South Region: No. 13 Chattanooga vs. No. 4 Illinois

Let’s head back to the 4-13 line, this time in the South Region, for a look at another potential upset. The 4-seed in this region is Illinois, which is fresh off of March Madness disappointment from a year ago, against SoCon champ Chattanooga.

Hopes were high for the Fighting Illini when Kofi Cockburn returned to school and things looked even better when Cockburn played like a National Player of the Year candidate. Something has been off with Illinois all year, however, since the Fighting Illini have played better with Andre Curbelo off the floor, a strange fact for one of the team’s best players.

Staring at a talented 13-seed in Chattanooga also doesn’t make life any easier for Brad Underwood’s team. The Mocs took care of business in a strong Southern Conference this year and have a dynamic playmaker in guard Malachi Smith, who averages 20.1 points per game and is capable of putting Chattanooga on his back in this game.

Forward Silvio De Sousa also has high-major experience at Kansas and is the type of defender who can guard Cockburn without help. That recipe is one ripe with upset potential for the Mocs.

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