NCAA Basketball March Madness

10 Cinderella Teams That Could Emerge During Conference Tournaments

Cinderella Teams That Could Emerge During Conference Tournaments

Georgia State Basketball
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone loves a great Cinderella story. Luckily, the 2015 NCAA tournament is bound to have a Cinderella or two. Before we actually see the magic happen during the Big Dance, let's take a look at 10 Cinderella teams that could emerge during conference tournaments.

10. Temple Owls

Temple Owls
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

10. Temple Owls

Temple Owls
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

So what if everyone knows who the Temple Owls are, they are no lock to make the dance. This is a team that had a pretty solid season, and it will punch its ticket in the AAC tournament by making a deep run. Side Note: The Owls beat Kansas earlier in the year by 25 points.

9. Iona Gaels

Iona Gaels
Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

9. Iona Gaels

Iona Gaels
Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

Oh yeah, now this would certainly be a great story. Like many teams on this list, the Iona Gaels have to win their conference tournament if they plan on dancing.

For what it's worth, Iona has two players who are averaging right around 20 points per game. Those two, among others, could be lethal in the tournament.

8. BYU Cougars

BYU Cougars
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

8. BYU Cougars

BYU Cougars
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

BYU already made some noise by knocking off the Gonzaga Bulldogs in its last game of the regular season. Look for that noise to continue during the WCC tournament.

7. Murray State Racers

Murray State Racers
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

7. Murray State Racers

Murray State Racers
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Murray State is no lock to make the dance, but it is ranked in the top 25 right now. Although nationally ranked, not many people are talking about the Racers. People will be talking about them soon enough.

6. Valparaiso Crusaders

Valparaiso Crusaders
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

6. Valparaiso Crusaders

Valparaiso Crusaders
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

If you are looking for a No. 13 or No. 14 seed to pull off the big upset, look no further than this team ... assuming the Valparaiso Crusaders win their conference tournament. If they do, they will be getting as much attention as a No. 13 seed (or whatever seed they will receive) can possibly get.

5. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Getty Images

5. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Getty Images

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have a great shot at winning their conference tournament. Regardless, this team has a fantastic offense, which is never a bad thing to have come NCAA tournament time. The Lumberjacks also pulled off the upset against VCU last year, so they will definitely get some love if they earn that automatic bid.

4. Georgia State Panthers

Georgia State Panthers
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

4. Georgia State Panthers

Georgia State Panthers
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia State has a couple of players you may have heard of before. Those players are Kevin Ware and Ryan Harrow. Ware used to play for Louisville and Harrow used to play for Kentucky. Also, the Panthers have two players who are averaging right around 20 PPG. Harrow is one of them.

3. Boise State Broncos

Boise State Broncos
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

3. Boise State Broncos

Boise State Broncos
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Here's all we have to say about the Broncos: They have won 13 of 14 games (will play Fresno State later on today).

2. LSU Tigers

LSU Tigers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2. LSU Tigers

LSU Tigers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, LSU is a well-known team, but it still needs a strong finish in the SEC tournament to make the dance. This team has some NBA talent, and that talent is capable of beating anyone in the SEC tourney.

1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Louisiana Tech challenged itself in non-conference play by scheduling Temple, Syracuse and NC State -- lost all three games. This is a very motivated bunch that has not been to the tournament since 1991. This one has Cinderella written all over it, but the Bulldogs also have the talent to make some noise in March -- No. 1 seed in the C-USA tournament.

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