NCAA Tournament Surprise Teams

Each year a team from a conference other than the "Big 6" makes a run to the Sweet 16 or further. During the next few days, I will reveal a few teams from mid-major conferences who could be this year's shocker. The first team plays in the Colonial Athletic Association against the likes of George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth.

Old Dominion
The Monarchs boast a 27-6 overall record and are fresh off of a win in the CAA championship game versus VCU. As is a main factor in the ability to knock off higher-seeded opponents, ODU plays stifling defense and is a senior-laden squad. What teams from the power conferences have in All-American recruits, the Monarchs make up for in experience and limiting opposing teams to one shot on a trip down the floor, as they are eighth nationally in rebounding. That experience plays a key role as four of ODU's top five scorers are seniors with the lone exception being a junior. The Monarchs show great scoring balance meaning if one player is struggling, there are four or five other players who can shoot the ball effectively. ODU was in a similar position last season before defeating sixth-seed Notre Dame in the first round 51-50. Many of the same players who started in that game have returned making Old Dominion a serious threat to pull off another NCAA tournament upset. Regardless of who Old Dominion draws for the first round, it will be an exciting game as the Monarchs will take their opponent out of the their rhythm and cause a game in the low-60's making an upset bid increasingly likely.
While an first-round upset is never a guarantee, Old Dominion has a track record of success, and the experience and style of play to pull off such a feat.