The second-seeded Ohio State basketball team will take on 15th-seeded Oral Roberts University in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 3 pm. In the history of the tournament since the expansion to 64 teams, only eight times has a 15 beat a 2. One ESPN analyst believes that number will grow to nine after Friday.
The original bracketologist, Joe Lunardi believes the Buckeyes will fall to the Golden Eagles from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in an epic upset. Lunardi’s main reason for picking the upset? Guard play, specifically 6 foot, 1 inch Max Abmas who is leading the country in scoring.
Of course, Oral Roberts is more than just one player and we gave you some details on things to know about the Golden Eagle basketball program heading into Friday’s contest. Maybe we’re biased, but this one feels like a reach.
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Upsets happen all the time in the Big Dance. That’s why they call it March Madness. And while anything is possible, I don’t see it happening to Ohio State this year. The Buckeyes are battle-tested and I see a 10-15 point win, sending Oral Roberts back to Oklahoma to watch the rest of the tournament in its dorm rooms.
Get ready for March Madness by registering in advance for USA TODAY Sports’ bracket sweepstakes. In the meantime, mobile users can play USA TODAY Sports’ Couchketball virtual hoops challenge – the interactive basketball game where your skills determine the outcome.
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