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NCAA College Basketball: Potential Cinderellas

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: A view of the NCAA logo on a basketball before the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Xfinity Center on December 04, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

It’s that time of year again. Everyone’s talking about college basketball, and everyone’s excited for March Madness. But in that discussion, the word “Cinderella” gets thrown around as a part of the vernacular, like “mid” and “GOAT.” But what exactly is a Cinderella? Before we discuss who this year’s Cinderella might be, let’s discuss the requirements to put on that glass slipper:

1. The label of “Cinderella” can only be applied after a team advances to the Sweet 16.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: The North Carolina State Wolfpack logo shown on a pair of shorts during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

You must be around on the second weekend of the Big Dance to be considered a Cinderella. So sorry, Oakland, you needed to beat NC State in the round of 32 last year to officially wear that glass slipper.

2. A Cinderella must be a 7-seed or higher.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 05: The Butler Bulldogs logo on a pair of shorts in position during a college basketball game against the Connecticut Huskies at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

These seeds are the ones that would have to pull off a serious upset in either round 1 or round 2. So sorry, 2010 Butler, as a 5-seed, you don’t get the official title. You were expected to win a few games.

3. A Cinderella must come from a mid-major conference.

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 14: A general view of the NC logo on the shorts of RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels. During a game against the La Salle Explorers at Dean E. Smith Center on December 14, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-67. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)

Sorry, but the University of North Carolina, with all of their talent and resources, don’t get to be a Cinderella. Same with Texas and Xavier. Just because you’re seeded low because you underachieved in the regular season doesn’t make you a Cinderella.

Cinderella Candidate: UC San Diego

The Tritons have the unique distinction of earning an NCAA Tournament berth in their first season of eligibility. They thoroughly dominated the Big West conference and have not lost since January 18th. They lead the nation in Turnover margin, simultaneously taking care of the ball on offense and causing havoc on defense. This causes teams to fight an uphill battle against them, as they often turn steals into easy points. There is a legitimate pathway to the Sweet 16 for the Tritons as they take on turnover-prone Michigan and potentially also turnover-prone Texas A&M.

Cinderella Candidate: VCU

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Ryan Odom of the VCU Rams gestures during the second half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at The Pit on December 18, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Lobos defeated the Rams 78-71. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

This VCU team is one of the most experienced in all of Division I basketball, with 4 of their 5 starters being 5th year players. VCU is another team that plays stifling defense, ranking 23rd in the nation in defensive efficiency. Head Coach Ryan Odom has a track record of winning in the NCAA Tournament as well, as he led UMBC to the first victory by a 16 seed over a 1 seed against Virginia in 2018. Offensively, the Rams are a tough team to match up with, as Max Shulga, Joe Bamisile, and Philip Russell are all capable of creating their own shot, and Jack Clark is a prototypical 3-and-D player who can get hot in catch-and-shoot situations.

Cinderella Candidate: New Mexico

How many times have we seen a guard put an entire school on his back and lead a team to March glory? It happened with Dwyane Wade, Stephen Curry, Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier, and countless others. This year, New Mexico’s Donovan Dent could take that mantle. He is an electric playmaker who can score at every level and could absolutely carry this team out of the first weekend.

Cinderella Candidate: High Point

The lowest seed that you will see on my list today, the High Point Panthers, are dancing for the first time in school history after suffering numerous heartbreaking losses in the Big South Tournament prior to this year. This team is legitimately great offensively, ranking 25th in the nation in offensive efficiency. They are superbly coached by Alan Huss and run sets that generate quality shots. This is a team that has plenty of depth as well, so one guy getting in foul trouble or having a cold shooting night should not kill them. The Panthers have the overall firepower to score with the best teams in college basketball, but their advancement will come down to how many stops they can get on the defensive end.