NCAA Tournament Bracket 2016: Predictions for Biggest Upsets in 1st Round

This year might not feature the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1, but the NCAA tournament still has the potential for some major upsets in Round 1.

No matter how much time you spend on your bracket, there is a better than likely chance you are tearing it up by the middle of the day on Thursday. Teams with the talent to get to the Final Four will falter in the opening round while smaller schools make their place in college basketball history.

Obviously, you can't rule anything out at this point of the year, but here is a look at some of the bigger upsets that could happen in the round of 64.

Biggest Potential Upsets

No. 14 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 3 West Virginia

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

West Virginia is probably going to drive you crazy this March. With the unique style of play featuring a hard press and lots of offensive rebounds, this squad can certainly make a run to the Final Four. However, it can also lose in the first round.

If you want to beat the Mountaineers, you need know how to handle the defensive pressure. According to KenPom.com, they rank No. 2 in the country in rate of forced turnovers, which often leads to easy baskets on the other end. The press is almost impossible to replicate in practice, and no one can prepare for it.

That is, unless you also run a pressure-filled attack like Stephen F. Austin. The squad forces the highest percentage of turnovers in the country while also taking care of the ball better than West Virginia. 

This is the type of matchup the Lumberjacks faced two years ago in the NCAA tournament in fifth-seeded VCU. Coach Shaka Smart's club couldn't dial up enough pressure, and Stephen F. Austin pulled off the upset.

Thomas Walkup remains from that squad as well as head coach Brad Underwood, both of whom played big roles in keeping this team a premier mid-major. Coming in with a 20-game winning streak—longest in the NCAA tournament—the Lumberjacks are a team to fear.

No. 14 Fresno State vs. No. 3 Utah

Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

Never underestimate the ability of one elite guard making a huge impact on the NCAA tournament. Marvelle Harris might not get a lot of respect nationally, but the senior guard is a player who can carry his team a long way.

Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com provided high praise for the 6'4" player after the win over San Diego State in the Mountain West finals:

Harris comes in averaging 20.6 point per game with the ability to create any shot for himself, although he has been even better down the stretch with an average of 23.2 points during the current nine-game winning streak. Julien Lewis and Karachi Edo have also stepped up in this stretch to get the Bulldogs into the Big Dance.

The recent improvements will be big against Utah, which has an excellent frontcourt behind Jakob Poeltl but question marks in the backcourt. Seniors Jordan Loveridge and Brandon Taylor can be hot or cold, and if their shots are off, the Utes could struggle offensively.

Fresno State could struggle with Utah's size, but if the squad can successfully double-team the star center, this could be an upset.

No. 13 Iona vs. No. 4 Iowa State

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Like in the case with West Virginia and Stephen F. Austin, this matchup will feature two teams playing similar styles.

Iowa State runs a fast-paced, spread attack featuring elite offensive players like Georges Niang and Monte Morris. The defense sometimes struggles, but this group can simply outscore you more times than not.

Iona plays almost the same way, with point guard A.J. English leading the way as he closes out an incredible season. The senior is averaging 22.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, showcasing the ability to do almost everything to help his team win.

Head coach Tim Cluess recently explained the leadership English has displayed this season, per Vincent Simone of Big Apple Buckets:

"

A.J.’s approach to the entire season has been different. As we’ve come down the season it’s grown even more. He’s more of a player-coach right now than just a player. He is breaking down things, watching film, inquisitive, talking to other players like I’ve never seen him do before, and leading them. It used to be on court by example, but now he’s leading vocally as well.

"

English can make a difference on his own, but he will get a lot of help from the aggressive Jordan Washington and sharpshooting Deyshonee Much.

Besides containing these players, Iowa State will have its own problems in the tournament. The squad lacks depth, which could be a major issue in a high-tempo game like this one. The Cyclones also have lost their last five games away from home. There will be no Hilton Magic in this game as Iona tries to pull off the upset.

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