If you do not pay attention to basketball in the South — which I doubt many of you do — then you probably took a look at the matchup between the No. 12-seeded Chattanooga Mocs and No. 5-seeded Indiana Hoosiers and quickly picked the Hoosiers to come out victorious.
Not only is this a mistake that could ruin your already slim chances at a perfect bracket, but it is extremely disrespectful to one of the best mid-major teams in all of college basketball.
Here are five reasons why the Mocs could upset one of the most storied programs in college basketball.
← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →
5. Not Your Typical Mid-Major
Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to the NCAA tournament, mid-majors who make it to the Big Dance tend to have one extra-talented player. Opposing teams shut down that player, and the game is basically over. That is not the case with Chattanooga, who boast eight players in its rotation who average at least six points per game. Like former Cinderellas VCU and Butler, the Mocs play as a team, which could cause some big problems for Indiana.
5. Not Your Typical Mid-Major
When it comes to the NCAA tournament, mid-majors who make it to the Big Dance tend to have one extra-talented player. Opposing teams shut down that player, and the game is basically over. That is not the case with Chattanooga, who boast eight players in its rotation who average at least six points per game. Like former Cinderellas VCU and Butler, the Mocs play as a team, which could cause some big problems for Indiana.
4. Defensive Efficiency
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom rankings have Indiana ranked No. 66 in defensive efficiency, while Chattanooga is ranked just 11 spots lower at No. 77. These two teams might play in vastly different conferences in terms of talent, but their defenses are just as good as the other on any given night.
KenPom rankings have Indiana ranked No. 66 in defensive efficiency, while Chattanooga is ranked just 11 spots lower at No. 77. These two teams might play in vastly different conferences in terms of talent, but their defenses are just as good as the other on any given night.
3. Indiana’s Neutral Court Woes
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indiana Hoosiers lost just three games before the start of Big 10 play, and two of those were on a neutral court in Hawaii. Their Big 10 tournament ending loss was also on a neutral court to the Michigan Wolverines. All of these losses at neutral sites do not bode well for the Hoosiers against the Mocs.
3. Indiana’s Neutral Court Woes
The Indiana Hoosiers lost just three games before the start of Big 10 play, and two of those were on a neutral court in Hawaii. Their Big 10 tournament ending loss was also on a neutral court to the Michigan Wolverines. All of these losses at neutral sites do not bode well for the Hoosiers against the Mocs.
2. Hoosiers Only Show Up Against “Elite” Teams
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Although Indiana boasts wins over Maryland, Iowa and Purdue, the Hoosiers lost games to struggling Big 10 teams like Wisconsin and Penn State. You never know which Indiana team will show up to play Chattanooga.
2. Hoosiers Only Show Up Against “Elite” Teams
Although Indiana boasts wins over Maryland, Iowa and Purdue, the Hoosiers lost games to struggling Big 10 teams like Wisconsin and Penn State. You never know which Indiana team will show up to play Chattanooga.
1. Chattanooga Is Really, Really Talented
Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Many of the reasons in this list tend to stem from Indiana’s flaws rather than Chattanooga’s successes, but there is not much to say about this Mocs team other than that they want to win more than any other team in the country. Every player chips in, every player crashes the glass and Matt McCall has been a fantastic coach in his first year. The perfect Cinderella story is waiting to happen -- the Mocs just have to get by Indiana first.
1. Chattanooga Is Really, Really Talented
Many of the reasons in this list tend to stem from Indiana’s flaws rather than Chattanooga’s successes, but there is not much to say about this Mocs team other than that they want to win more than any other team in the country. Every player chips in, every player crashes the glass and Matt McCall has been a fantastic coach in his first year. The perfect Cinderella story is waiting to happen -- the Mocs just have to get by Indiana first.