10 Dark-Horse Contenders To Make The 2016 NCAA Basketball Tournament

Dark-Horse Contenders To Make The NCAA Tournament

More likely than not, you have heard of all 10 of these teams before. However, these teams did not enter the 2015-16 college basketball season with a nifty top 25 ranking, they were not expected to win their conference and some of them were fringe NCAA tournament teams at best entering the year.

The season is still young, and so much basketball needs to be played, but these 10 squads are dark-horse contenders to make the 2016 NCAA tournament.

Dark-Horse Contenders To Make The NCAA Tournament

More likely than not, you have heard of all 10 of these teams before. However, these teams did not enter the 2015-16 college basketball season with a nifty top 25 ranking, they were not expected to win their conference and some of them were fringe NCAA tournament teams at best entering the year.

The season is still young, and so much basketball needs to be played, but these 10 squads are dark-horse contenders to make the 2016 NCAA tournament.

10. Northern Iowa Panthers

The Northern Iowa Panthers are coming off of a season in which they were, simply put, one of the best mid-majors in the game. After losing Seth Tuttle, they didn't receive quite as much hype entering the new season.

The Panthers hold one of the best wins in the country, as they knocked off the North Carolina Tar Heels when they were ranked No. 1. That win will go a long way.

10. Northern Iowa Panthers

The Northern Iowa Panthers are coming off of a season in which they were, simply put, one of the best mid-majors in the game. After losing Seth Tuttle, they didn't receive quite as much hype entering the new season.

The Panthers hold one of the best wins in the country, as they knocked off the North Carolina Tar Heels when they were ranked No. 1. That win will go a long way.

9. Florida Gators

Billy Donovan is no longer running the show, the team didn't enter the season with much hype and the Gators already have two losses. That said, their two losses came against Purdue (how good is Purdue right now?) and Miami. Both teams should go dancing.

To make a long story short, the Gators still have plenty of talent — they just need a signature win so people will recognize said talent.

9. Florida Gators

Billy Donovan is no longer running the show, the team didn't enter the season with much hype and the Gators already have two losses. That said, their two losses came against Purdue (how good is Purdue right now?) and Miami. Both teams should go dancing.

To make a long story short, the Gators still have plenty of talent — they just need a signature win so people will recognize said talent.

8. Arizona State Sun Devils

What do you know — another team that wasn't expected to win its conference title.

The Sun Devils have two losses, but they do hold wins over NC State, Creighton and Texas A&M. That's not bad, folks.

8. Arizona State Sun Devils

What do you know — another team that wasn't expected to win its conference title.

The Sun Devils have two losses, but they do hold wins over NC State, Creighton and Texas A&M. That's not bad, folks.

7. Dayton Flyers

By now, the Dayton Flyers shouldn't be a dark horse, but they didn't receive a ranking entering 2015-16.

The Flyers already have victories over Alabama, Iowa and Vanderbilt, and just one loss against Xavier, a team that has done some storming onto the scene. Just remember, once March comes rolling around, it's all about that resume — and the Flyers' resume isn't looking too bad.

7. Dayton Flyers

By now, the Dayton Flyers shouldn't be a dark horse, but they didn't receive a ranking entering 2015-16.

The Flyers already have victories over Alabama, Iowa and Vanderbilt, and just one loss against Xavier, a team that has done some storming onto the scene. Just remember, once March comes rolling around, it's all about that resume — and the Flyers' resume isn't looking too bad.

6. Northwestern Wildcats

This is the ultimate dark horse right here. After all, the Northwestern Wildcats have never made the NCAA tournament. That is still pretty baffling considering they reside in the Big Ten.

Sure, this is quite the stretch, and Big Ten play is going to be brutal, but the Wildcats only have one loss against the Tar Heels. They have to make the dance eventually, right?

6. Northwestern Wildcats

This is the ultimate dark horse right here. After all, the Northwestern Wildcats have never made the NCAA tournament. That is still pretty baffling considering they reside in the Big Ten.

Sure, this is quite the stretch, and Big Ten play is going to be brutal, but the Wildcats only have one loss against the Tar Heels. They have to make the dance eventually, right?

5. South Carolina Gamecocks

When will Frank Martin finally get this program rocking? How about this year?

For all it's worth, South Carolina is currently undefeated.

5. South Carolina Gamecocks

When will Frank Martin finally get this program rocking? How about this year?

For all it's worth, South Carolina is currently undefeated.

4. Providence Friars

Yes, Providence has one of the best players in the country in Kris Dunn, but this is yet another squad that entered the season with no number next to its name.

After knocking off the Arizona Wildcats, it appears that the Friars are legit.

4. Providence Friars

Yes, Providence has one of the best players in the country in Kris Dunn, but this is yet another squad that entered the season with no number next to its name.

After knocking off the Arizona Wildcats, it appears that the Friars are legit.

3. George Washington Colonials

Speaking of legit, the George Washington Colonials already have a victory against Virginia (ranked No. 6 at the time). Their lone loss came against a — you guessed it — ranked opponent (Cincinnati).

3. George Washington Colonials

Speaking of legit, the George Washington Colonials already have a victory against Virginia (ranked No. 6 at the time). Their lone loss came against a — you guessed it — ranked opponent (Cincinnati).

2. Syracuse Orange

Off-the-court issues aside, the Syracuse Orange are one of the most pleasant surprises of the young 2015-16 season.

Here's the proof: The Orange have already beaten two ranked foes (Connecticut and Texas A&M). On top of that, Michael Gbinije could be the best player in the ACC — well, he is, at the very least, one of the best players.

2. Syracuse Orange

Off-the-court issues aside, the Syracuse Orange are one of the most pleasant surprises of the young 2015-16 season.

Here's the proof: The Orange have already beaten two ranked foes (Connecticut and Texas A&M). On top of that, Michael Gbinije could be the best player in the ACC — well, he is, at the very least, one of the best players.

1. Xavier Musketeers

This is all you need to know about the Xavier Musketeers: They are undefeated and are also ranked as high as No. 12. Now there's your overachiever right there.

1. Xavier Musketeers

This is all you need to know about the Xavier Musketeers: They are undefeated and are also ranked as high as No. 12. Now there's your overachiever right there.