Three SEC groups on upset alert in first spherical of NCAA Match

[ad_1] The insanity has formally arrived as 68 groups put together for battle within the 2026 NCAA Match. Whereas some squads are higher outfitted than others to keep away from the first-round upset, others can't say the identical.

The SEC, which acquired a Division I-leading 10 groups into the Huge Dance — seven of that are the upper seed of their first-round matchups — just isn't resistant to getting bounced early, both.

Though a loss from any of those three groups would come nowhere near the most important upsets within the event's historical past, they may discover themselves watching the remainder of event from house if they aren't cautious.

The Crimson Tide (23-9, 13-5 SEC) have a first-round date with the 13-seed Hofstra Pleasure (24-10, 12-6 CAA), which can not instantly stand out as a possible upset. Nevertheless, in case you dig a bit deeper, Alabama higher watch out on this one.

Whereas Alabama leads the nation in scoring (91.7 PPG), it's coping with a well-known downside after it was introduced on Monday that its second-leading scorer Aden Holloway (16.8 PPG) had been arrested.

Not solely is that hanging over the Crimson Tide's shoulders, however their high-octane offense should cope with Hofstra's 317th-ranked adjusted tempo, per KenPom. If the Pleasure can pull the upset, it is going to possible be attributable to guards Cruz Davis (39.9%) and Preston Edmead (38.3%), who every shoot higher than 38 % from lengthy vary.

The Commodores (26-8, 11-7 SEC) are coming off a runner-up end within the SEC Match on Sunday, however shouldn't get forward of themselves in opposition to 12-seed McNeese (28-5, 19-3 SLC).

The Cowboys have been on this place earlier than after upsetting five-seed Clemson final season. McNeese has pressured the second-most turnovers per recreation this season (16.9), so it's definitely not out of the query that it might probably pull off one other stunner.

Vanderbilt can put up factors in a rush with sophomore guard Tyler Tanner (19.1 PPG) main the cost. Nevertheless, the Commodores have a foul behavior of fouling and they don't need to let McNeese grasp round any longer than they should. If that's the case, they may very well be ripe for an upset in opposition to a program that's no stranger to the large stage.

The Wildcats (21-13, 10-8 SEC) have handled accidents and have had an inclination to play from behind all season. Because of this, they discover themselves in a susceptible place in opposition to 10-seed Santa Clara (26-8, 15-3 WCC), which is making its first NCAA Match look since 1996.

Considered one of Kentucky's points all season has been defending the three, which was one thing that additionally plagued it in its most up-to-date first-round losses to 15-seed Saint Peter's in 2022 and 14-seed Oakland in 2024. That can must be the main focus once more in opposition to a Broncos staff that makes an attempt the Twenty second-most triples per recreation (29.2).

Santa Clara solely makes 34.6% of these photographs, however you'll anticipate nearly all of them to fall if the Broncos are getting open appears to be like. Due to this fact, Kentucky's focus shouldn't solely be on getting off to a quick begin, but additionally stopping Santa Clara from discovering a rhythm from deep if it desires to keep away from one other early exit.