The Northern Colorado Bears play their first-ever NCAA Tournament game at 2:40 p.m. MT on Thursday, March 17, and as a No. 15 seed in the tournament they are taking on one of the top teams in the nation, the No. 2 seed San Diego St. Aztecs.
As we previously looked at, there have been a total of four games in which a 15 seed upset their opponent in a second round game (previously the opening round, but the addition of the First Four round shifted everything). If there were to be a 15-2 upset in the tournament, this might be the best bet. Both teams are coming off huge wins: Northern Colorado winning the Big Sky championship and San Diego St. beating BYU on the third try. So both teams are definitely pumped for this game, but the Aztecs have a six-game losing streak in the tournament.
During the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, the teams played a home-and-home series, which the road team won each time. Northern Colorado's Devon Beitzel and Chris Kaba were on the team for those two games, and D.J. Gay was with the Aztecs. There's probably not much else to read into that history.
However, the key to this game for each team will likely rest in their star players. For the Bears that is senior guard Devon Beitzel and his 21.4 points this season. For the Aztecs, sophomore Kawhi Leonard chips in 15.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest.
Tune into TNT at 2:40 p.m. MT for the game. Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Dan Bonner will have the call.
For your last minute predictions needs, check out SB Nation's NCAA bracket predictions StoryStream. From expert brackets to TV times, there's plenty of help as you fill out your bracket.