Correctly predicting who will be the Cinderella team of the NCAA Tournament can be the difference between a busted bracket during the first round and winning your office pool. We usually see several early round upsets, especially in the 5 – 12 games, but how far can they go?
The single elimination tournament is a perfect chance for these underdog teams to get hot, play near-perfect basketball and shock the world. There are a few overlooked teams in this year’s bracket that have the right combination of players and style to take down the blue bloods of college basketball, creating the madness for which March Madness is known for. In the past, several Cinderella teams have advanced all the way to the Final Four.
Stay tuned for buzzer beaters and upsets as the tournament will stream on CBS, Paramount+, TNT, TBS, and truTV. If you can’t watch the game because your office or school has a network block on streaming sites and apps, get CyberGhost VPN. You can easily bypass the restrictions when you connect to one of our streaming-optimized servers.
What Does ‘Cinderella Team’ Mean in March Madness?
A ‘Cinderella team’ refers to a lower-seeded college basketball team with several upset wins in the NCAA Tournament. These teams usually play in smaller conferences or mid-majors, and are seeded 8 and lower. This narrative is central to the charm and unpredictability of the tournament, embodying the spirit of competition and the belief that on any given day, any team can triumph, regardless of their ranking or past performances.
These teams capture the imagination of fans, becoming beloved underdogs and often gaining widespread support as they advance through the rounds.
Who Are the Top Cinderella Candidates for March Madness 2024?
Identifying the top Cinderella candidates for March Madness 2024 requires looking beyond the rankings to spot underrated talent, exceptional teamwork, and the ability to win under pressure. You also have to look at the bracket to see the possible matchups the teams would play should they advance.
Whether it’s a different style of play than their opponents see all year, or simply riding the wave of momentum as they try to get their “one shining moment,” there’s nothing quite like watching these student athletes defy the odds.
1. James Madison Dukes – 12th Seed in the South Region
The Dukes are just one of two teams that won 31 games this season. While they play in the Sun Belt Conference, the Dukes did open the year with an impressive victory over the Michigan State Spartans.
Terrence Edwards Jr., who is good enough to play at any D1 school, leads a very talented starting five that can compete with anyone in the tournament. The offense has been very efficient all season long, with very few turnovers or unforced errors.
James Madison finds itself in the South Bracket with a first round matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, losers of 8 of 11 near the end of the regular season. There’s the potential for a second round matchup against Duke, who lost to NC State in the ACC Tournament, for a legit shot at the Sweet 16.
2. New Mexico Lobos – 11th Seed in the West Region
The Lobos didn’t have a great regular season, finishing 6th in the Mountain West. However, they caught fire in the conference champion tournament in Las Vegas, earning their spot in March Madness.
The Lobos are led by senior guard Jaelen House, who averaged 23 PPG in the conference championship tournament, and have two excellent big men that can be a problem for any opponent.
Looking at the first game against Clemson, the Lobos are one of the few teams that can match them in terms of size. As long as they can cancel each other out, look for House and sophomore PG Donovan Dent to power the Lobos past Clemson for a deep run.
3. Grand Canyon Antelopes – 12th seed in the West Region
The Antelopes coach knows that anything can happen in March. Back in 1998, when he was a player, Bryce Drew hit a last second 3 pointer to lift his 13th seeded Valparaiso Crusaders over the heavily favored Ole Miss Rebels.
Of course, there’s more than just the head coach. Tyon Grant-Williams is the feel-good story of college basketball, after missing two years following a cardiac arrest during a game in 2021. He made his comeback complete this year, averaging just under 20 PPG.
In terms of matchups, Grand Canyon got a great spot in the bracket. They open against another mid-major, Saint Mary’s Gaels, making it the ideal for an upset. A potential second round matchup against a struggling Alabama won’t faze this group either.
4. McNeese State Cowboys – 12th Seed in the Midwest Region
Under new coach Will Wade, McNeese State won 30 games en route to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2002. While the Cowboys might play in the Southland Conference, they have players with the talent to play in the Power 5. Shahada Wells was a key player on TCU and PF Christian Shumate was recruited by several major programs before committing to McNeese.
They will have a tough first round matchup against Gonzaga, but if Wells goes on a roll, they’ll have a good shot at winning. If they get past the Zags, they have the size and athleticism to bust a lot of brackets.
5. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – 15th seed in the South Region
If you’re looking for a real long shot that can separate your bracket from the others, give Western Kentucky a few wins. We’ve seen a 15 seed upset the 2 seed in each of the past three years, and the Hilltoppers are looking to make it 4 in a row. New head coach Steve Lutz has his team playing a fast-paced offense that can be trouble for Marquette in their first round matchup, especially with Marquette’s star PG Tyler Kolek playing through an oblique injury.
The high-energy Hilltoppers have a solid starting five that includes Rodney Howard, Dontaie Allen, and Brandon Newman. These 3 players all transferred from Power 5 school,so they have the size and skill to match up with any team.
The Biggest March Madness Cinderella Stories from Previous Years
- Villanova in 1985 – 8 Seed to NCAA Champs: Villanova’s 1985 team stands out as one of the most incredible Cinderella stories, as they became the lowest-seeded team to win the NCAA Championship. Their victory over the top-seeded Georgetown Hoyas is still remembered as one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history.
- NC State in 1983 – 6 Seed to NCAA Champs: Jim Valvano’s NC State Wolfpack is the quintessential Cinderella story, needing a miraculous run in the ACC Tournament just to make the NCAA Tournament. They continued their improbable journey by upsetting a highly favored Houston team, led by future NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, to win the national title.
- Butler in 2010 – 5 Seed to NCAA Finals: The Butler Bulldogs captured the hearts of basketball fans everywhere with their run to the NCAA Finals. They knocked off higher-seeded teams and came within a buzzer-beater shot of winning the championship against Duke.
- George Mason in 2006 – 11 Seed to Final Four: George Mason’s fairy tale run to the Final Four is one of the most remarkable underdog stories in NCAA history. They defeated multiple powerhouses, including a top-seeded Connecticut team, in one of the tournament’s most thrilling games.
- Davidson in 2008 – 10 Seed to Elite Eight: Led by future NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Davidson’s shocking run to the Elite Eight included victories over Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. Curry’s incredible performances made this one of the most memorable Cinderella runs.
- Florida Gulf Coast in 2013 – 15 Seed to Sweet 16: “Dunk City” became the first 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16, captivating the nation with their high-flying style of play. Their upset victories over Georgetown and San Diego State featured some of the most electrifying dunks in tournament history.
- Loyola Chicago in 2018 – 11 Seed to Final Four: Loyola Chicago’s magical run to the Final Four included a series of last-second victories. The Ramblers’ success was highlighted by the inspiring presence of their chaplain, Sister Jean, becoming a beloved figure in college basketball lore.
- VCU in 2011 – 11 Seed to Final Four: Starting in the “First Four,” VCU’s improbable run to the Final Four included victories over powerhouses like Georgetown, Purdue, and Kansas. Their aggressive style of play and sharpshooting from beyond the arc turned them into tournament darlings.
Why You Need a VPN to Stream March Madness
To stream March Madness, you’ll need access to CBS, TNT, TBS, or truTV, or apps that stream these channels. The apps are easy to get, but local network restrictions at your workplace or school might block you from streaming. CyberGhost VPN helps you bypass these obstacles by encrypting your connection. When the network can’t see what you’re doing, you can easily unblock your favorite streaming services so you never miss a game.
The streaming apps that have these channels only work in the US. This means if you’re studying abroad or traveling, you may not be able to access your accounts – unless you use a VPN that has servers in the US. CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Paramount Plus, and other major platforms. You won’t miss any of the buzzer beaters, upsets, big dunks, or any other action during March Madness.
Using a VPN enhances your sports streaming experience, even when you’re watching from the comfort of your own home. It encrypts your internet connection, preventing your ISP from throttling your bandwidth. ISP throttling can lead to buffering and reduced stream quality, but a VPN ensures you get consistent, high-quality streaming free from interruptions.
Don’t Forget Cinderella Teams When Preparing Your Bracket
There’s a reason why no one has ever filled out a perfect NCAA bracket. The unpredictability of the tournament is what makes it so amazing. Even if you want to go chalk to the Final Four, correctly picking a low seed like a James Madison or Western Kentucky can separate your bracket from the others.
If the history of the NCAA Tournament has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Tournament games are often close matches that go down to the final second, and the difference between winning and losing is which team handles the pressure or the basketball better.
For seamless streaming of every nail-biting finish and Cinderella story, CyberGhost VPN is your go-to solution. Whether you’re traveling abroad or dealing with network restrictions, connect to one of our streaming-optimized servers and experience the magic of March Madness.
FAQ
The term “Cinderella team” is inspired by the classic story of Cinderella, where she goes from being overlooked and underestimated to the belle of the ball In the context of the NCAA Tournament, a Cinderella team is similarly overlooked or underrated before the competition begins, usually a low seed from a mid-major conference, but then surprises everyone multiple upsets, getting to at least the Sweet 16. This metaphor captures the essence of their unexpected success and the magical, storybook nature of their tournament run.
NC State (6 seed) in 1983 and Villanova (8 seed) in 1985 are both considered to be Cinderella teams to win it all. While these days, we don’t really consider a 6 or 8 seed a Cinderella, the landscape of college basketball was different then, and no one expected either team to advance to the Elite Eight, let alone win it all.
The UConn Huskies are the betting favorites to win their second consecutive NCAA championship. However, due to the unpredictability of March Madness, it’s tough to predict who will win it all. The last time the Final Four went All Chalk, with all four #1 seed advancing to the championship round was 2008.
The Final Four will be played on April 6th and 8th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona.
You have to wait until “Selection Sunday, ” which happened on March 17th this year, for the teams and bracket seedings to be announced. Once that happens, you can fill in brackets and make your predictions. There’s no benefit to filling out a bracket right away, it pays to wait until a few days before the tournament, in case of an unexpected injury in practice or other unforeseen events that would change your picks.
A VPN is essential for live streaming sports for several reasons. It enables you to log into your streaming accounts while traveling, allowing you to follow your preferred teams and competitions from any location globally.
Additionally, a VPN can circumvent content-based ISP throttling by encrypting your connection, to ensure a continuous sports streaming without disruptions or buffering.
Moreover, a VPN boosts your online privacy and security, especially when using public Wi-Fi to stream sports, protecting your personal data and internet activities from possible security risks.
CyberGhost VPN is the best choice for streaming March Madness. We have streaming-optimized servers for Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Paramount Plus so you can connect to your accounts even while traveling abroad. It also uses top-notch encryption which helps avoid content-based ISP throttling that could cause buffering or low quality video streams of the tournament games.
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