The bracket for the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is now live, so it’s time to dig into the matchups. Cinderella stories are always one of the best parts of postseason college basketball. Last season, Saint Peter’s charmed the nation on a dream run that took the small Jersey City school to the Elite Eight with wins over powerhouses like Kentucky and Purdue.
This year, the field of 68 feels more balanced than ever before, meaning we could be ripe for another double-digit seed making its way through the bracket.
Let’s take a look at some of the most likely candidates to become Cinderellas in 2023.
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No. 12 College of Charleston
The Cougars are on a 10-game winning streak dating back to February 2. Charleston won the CAA tournament and have a couple solid wins over Virginia Tech and tournament team Kent State. They’re a team that is great on the offensive boards — they rebound 35% of their own misses — and shoot volume threes. While they’re only connecting on 33% of those threes, if they get hot from deep, the Cougars could be a problem.
Charleston is +610 at FanDuel Sportsbook to reach the Sweet 16.
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No. 12 VCU
The Rams were Cinderella darlings back in 2011 when a Shaka Smart led VCU team made the Final Four after a magical run. Could they do it again 12 years later? Mike Rhoades has the Rams playing a tough, gritty style of basketball, especially on the defensive end. The offense isn’t really going to blow anyone out of the gym — though they have been better on that end recently – but they force turnovers and get to the free throw line.
VCU is +710 to reach the Sweet Sixteen at FanDuel.
No. 13 Iona
Rick Pitino is back in the Big Dance! The Iona Gaels earned the 13-seed in the West by virtue of winning the MAAC tournament. They’ll face the No. 4 Connecticut Huskies, and while the Big East school has recovered from a mid-season stumble that saw them lose six of eight games, the Gaels take care of the ball, are top notch at limiting good looks from three and have the fourth-best block percentage in the country.
Iona is +520 to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
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No. 14 Grand Canyon
GCU has loped into the postseason with a WAC title, and they’ll face No. 3 Gonzaga in the first round. This is probably the boldest of Cinderella picks as GCU is a 14-seed, but that’s what we’re here for, right? The defense of the Lopes is suspect at best, but March is magical so you never know.
Grand Canyon is +1500 to reach the Sweet Sixteen
No. 13 Furman
It’s a certainty that whatever mid-major is playing Virginia in the first round will be a popular upset pick, and recent history would support that to an extent. The Cavaliers notoriously became the first 1-seed to lose to a 16 — though UVA redeemed itself with an NCAA title the following season. Then it dropped last year’s opening game to popular upset pick Ohio after not being able to practice the week before with a positive COVID test on the team. Furman will be a tough test for the Hoos as the Paladins are a veteran and savvy team that shoots well in the paint.
Furman is +790 to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
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