NCAA Bracket 2018: Forecasting Potentially Epic 1st-Round Matchups

When the NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket is released on Selection Sunday, there are always a few round-of-64 clashes that stand out.

Whether they present the potential for a juicy upset or an intriguing individual matchup, there's usually a handful of games everyone circles in anticipation of the first Thursday and Friday of the event.

This year is no different, as the chaotic nature of men's basketball opens up the possibility of a wide range of matchups featuring teams many expect to make deep surges into the second weekend.

Below is a look at a few potential epic first-round clashes in the NCAA tournament.

Nevada vs. Middle Tennessee

If you are a fan of mid-major teams, you will hate the idea of two of the best squads from outside the power conferences squaring off in the round of 64.

The other approach to a potential clash between Nevada and Middle Tennessee is that it will be a showcase for mid-major talent in a game that guarantees safe passage to the round of 32 for one of the upset-minded squads.

Projecting where this matchup occurs is difficult given the complexity of comparing mid-major resumes with those of at-large teams from power conferences.

Nevada should be in line for somewhere between a No. 6 and No. 8 seed after dominating the Mountain West, but that could change if the Wolfpack slip up in the Mountain West tournament.

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Middle Tennessee could land as high as a No. 8 or No. 9 seed or find itself in the traditional mid-major upset position of a No. 10, No. 11 or No. 12 seed.

This matchup most likely happens as a No. 6 vs. No. 11 or No. 7 vs. No. 10 showdown, but regardless of what the seeds are, it would be a fantastic contest.

Nevada is going to be one of the top underdog picks to reach the Sweet 16, while Middle Tennessee thrived as an unknown team the past two seasons, recording victories over Michigan State and Minnesota in the round of 64.

Each team possesses four players who average more than 10 points per game, with Nick King leading the Blue Raiders at 21.2 points per game and Caleb Martin on top of Nevada's scoring chart at 19.5 points per contest.

Miami vs. Oklahoma

Normally, a showdown between Miami and Oklahoma on a major collegiate stage would take place in college football.

However, there's a decent chance the Hurricanes and Sooners could be drawn to face each other in the round of 64 on the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Miami flew under the radar during the ACC regular season, as Virginia, North Carolina, Duke and others dominated the headlines.

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The Hurricanes won their final four games of the regular season to set up a potentially deep run in the ACC tournament.

But if they meet an early exit in Brooklyn, New York, the Hurricanes could be stuck with a No. 7 or No. 8 seed, which could set up a matchup with another team from a power conference.

Everyone knows what Oklahoma possesses in freshman Trae Young, who took the nation by storm with his prolific passing and scoring in Big 12 play.

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Young leads the nation in points and assists per game, and he's eclipsed the 40-point barrier on four occasions, as well as recording a double-digit point total in each of his 30 regular-season games.

Pitting Young and his lackluster supporting cast against a game plan instituted by Miami head coach Jim Larranaga could spell trouble for the Sooners, but there's also a chance the Hurricanes are forced to play catch up over 40 minutes as Young dazzles on his biggest stage yet.

Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure

You are going to hear a lot about Michigan and St. Bonaventure before Selection Sunday when people discuss teams that could wreak havoc and earn a surprise trip to the second weekend of the Big Dance.

Michigan is more of a known quantity since it resides in the Big Ten and experienced a strong finish to the season, which includes an appearance in Sunday's Big Ten tournament final.

Head coach John Beilein is a master of getting the best out of his team in March Madness, as he's led the Wolverines to a championship game, the Elite 8 and a pair of Sweet 16s in the past five seasons.

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However, with the territory of a No. 4 or No. 5 seed comes the potential of an upset, which St. Bonaventure is more than capable of conjuring.

Even if they win the Atlantic 10 tournament, the Bonnies might not be able to garner higher than a No. 11 or No. 12 seed, which isn't good for their potential first-round opponent.

The Bonnies possess a pair of stars in leading scorers Jaylen Adams and Matt Mobley, who will cause problems to the most experienced of defenses.

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Taking on the challenge of guarding Adams and Mobley is something Michigan should embrace, and expect Beilein to come up with a perfect game plan.

However, if the Bonnies find an offensive rhythm early on, it could spell trouble for the Wolverines, who will rely on big man Moritz Wagner and guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman for the bulk of their points.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.