They come from smaller conferences, most via automatic bids, and often are eliminated during the opening weekend. But low-seed Cinderella teams are the best part of March Madness, often leaving indelible memories that outlast their time on the dance floor. This year, two Virginia teams have a chance to go farther than most. And it’s because they should be treated as dangerous threats, not as party crashers.
Richmond, behind guards Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez, enters the Atlantic 10 Tournament at 24-7 (13-3) and with an RPI ranking of 24. They’d be a lock for either a seven or eight seed (ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has them as a six) if the NCAA Tournament started today. That’s some heavy artillery for a team that finished third in the A-10 during the regular season.
But the Spiders are most dangerous because they don’t fear anybody. They were 4-2 this season against the RPI top 50 and have quality wins over Mississippi State, Missouri, Florida and Temple.
Old Dominion, like its neighbor to the northwest, is a formidable opponent in disguise. The Monarchs won the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament on Monday, beating a talented William & Mary squad for the third time in 44 days. ODU’s RPI ranking is 29. The Monarchs are deep (six players average at least seven points and 22 minutes a game) and own one of the biggest mid-major upsets of the year with their 61-57 win over Georgetown.
Consider yourselves warned.
