5 Smart Choice Cinderella teams for the 2023 March Madness bracket

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - JANUARY 09: Connor Vanover #35 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles shoots a 3-pointer against Jaelen House #10 of the New Mexico Lobos during the first half of their game at The Pit on January 09, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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G Dalton Bolon, Charleston Cougars. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Charleston Cougars

Fans who were paying attention during the regular season are well aware of Charleston, which made its way into the polls in the middle of the year. The Cougars first put the world on notice by playing then No. 1 North Carolina hard in the second game of the season and then ripped off 20 straight wins.

A pair of losses in conference play knocked Charleston out of the polls but the Cougars recovered nicely by winning their final 10 games to secure the CAA’s auto bid. The high-flying Cougars are a balanced offensive attack that averages over 80 points per game and has five double-digit scorers, making them a very difficult team to guard on the offensive end.

A lack of quality wins is likely responsible for Charleston’s double-digit seed but teams don’t win 31 games by accident. These Cougars have developed a ton of confidence over the course of the year and have an ascending coach in Pat Kelsey that is capable of drawing up a winning game plan.

Charleston drew a 12-seed in the first round and got a tough 5-seed in San Diego State, which won the competitive Mountain West’s regular season and tournament crowns. There is no reason for the Cougars to fear the Aztecs, however, and Charleston’s momentum could make them a very dangerous out.

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