Beyond bluebloods: 5 men’s basketball mid-majors with real March upset juice

When people think of March Madness, they usually picture huge basketball schools like Duke, Michigan, Arizona and Florida. These teams get all the attention and are usually expected to win. But the best part of the tournament is the surprises. Smaller schools, often called “mid-majors,” can flip the whole bracket upside down if they have the right skills to take on the big guys.

Just because a team is ranked lower doesn’t mean they will be an easy team to beat. Smaller programs have a real shot at winning if they are great at shooting 3-pointers, have smart guards, play tough defense or grab a lot of rebounds. Some of these small-school teams win by scoring fast, while others win by playing hard defense to get extra turns with the ball.

Advertisement

MORE: Why Florida, Duke start as men’s college hoops favorites & who can crash their party

The first week of the 2026-27 college basketball season has already given us a few clues. A couple of smaller teams have started off strong and look like they could really push the big schools. While we don’t know for sure whether they will make the tournament, you should definitely keep an eye on them.

5. Illinois-Chicago Flames (Missouri Valley)

UIC Flames guard Mekhi Lowery (22) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Enterprise Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) has built its early-season success around defense. Ranked No. 5 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25, the Flames have started the 2026-27 season 3-0. Their defensive approach could make them a difficult game for higher-seeded teams in March.

Advertisement

The Flames showed their strength in a 79-56 win over Robert Morris. They allowed only 24 points in the second half and forced 13 turnovers during the final 20 minutes. That kind of defensive pressure can change a game quickly. It also makes life difficult for teams that depend on a fast offensive rhythm.

Rashund Washington Jr. led…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/beyond-bluebloods-5-men-basketball-141156398.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-11-11 14:11:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.