2016 March Madness Predictions: Top Sleeper Picks for Each NCAA Tournament Bracket Region

2016 March Madness Predictions – Top Sleeper Picks for Each NCAA Tournament Bracket Region: Part of what makes March Madness special is the Cinderella stories, the underdogs knocking off top-seeded teams and defying the odds. Of course, upsets are also what allow you to cash in during the NCAA Tournament. In recent years, we have seen plenty of surprise teams reach the Final Four, and while the traditional powers usually walk away with the title, teams like Butler, VCU and George Mason have found a way to at least reach the Final Four. With that in mind, here is a closer look at one dark horse candidate from each region that could find themselves cutting down the nets for a trip to Houston.

2016 March Madness Predictions: Top Sleeper Picks for Each NCAA Tournament Bracket Region

Midwest Region: Seton Hall Pirates (20/1)

After knocking off two teams, Xavier and Villanova, that are now No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament in consecutive days to win the Big East tournament, there is no denying that Seton Hall can take down any opponent. The Pirates also land in a region that gives them a very manageable path to the Sweet 16. Granted, Michigan State and Virginia are lurking down the road, but the Pirates have a solid defense, and they have a serious X-factor in guard Isaiah Whitehead. He can take over a game on either end of the court, and he is averaging more than 25.0 points per game over his last seven. If Whitehead can stay hot, the Pirates can keep pulling upsets.

West Region: Baylor Bears (10/1)

Baylor busted many brackets last year when the Bears were bounced in the Round of 64 as a No. 3 seed. However, the Bears could play the role of spoiler this year. Yes, they lost 11 games, but all 11 losses came to teams in the NCAA Tournament, including close losses to No. 1 seeds Kansas and Oregon and No. 2 seed Oklahoma. Baylor has a balanced attack with four players averaging at least 11.0 points per game, and the Bears rank in the top 10 in the country in assists per game. Basically, the Bears are a solid team that lost a bunch of close games to really good teams, so they are more than capable of making a deep run. In the wide-open West Region, Baylor makes an intriguing sleeper bet.

South Region: California Golden Bears (12/1)

The Golden Bears have had some surprising losses this year, but this a young, talented group that can be special when they are firing on all cylinders. After all, California lost to Oregon and Virginia on the road by a combined four points, and the Golden Bears ripped the Ducks by 20 at home. By the way, both of those teams are No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. More importantly, few teams have as much raw talent as California. Freshmen forwards Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb are potential lottery picks in the NBA draft, and Brown is expected to be picked in the top five. Senior guard Tyrone Wallace is another likely first-round draft pick. There aren’t many teams that can boast three NBA-caliber starters, and while experience could be an issue, the Golden Bears have the weapons to make a run at the Final Four.

East Region: Providence Friars (25/1)

Landing in the brutal East Region is far from ideal, and the Friars’ record this season suggests that they can’t get over the hump against top competition. That being said, they have one of the best duos in the country in forward Ben Bentil and point guard Kris Dunn. Bentil is averaging 21.2 points per game, and Dunn is a walking triple-double that can create for himself and for teammates. In fact, Dunn’s name is being thrown about as a potential top five pick in the NBA draft, so there is no doubt that he can be a game-changer for Providence. It won’t be easy, but if you are going to take a flier on an underdog in the brutal East Region, Providence has the firepower to upset the heavyweights.

You can get expert 2016 March Madness picks and 2016 March Madness predictions this month from NSAwins.com’s top handicappers plus a pre-filled downloadable and printable 2016 March Madness Bracket to help you win your office pool!