Bracket-Busting Teams to Watch March Madness has officially kicked off, and with the brackets finalized, the stage is set for a mix of powerhouse teams and underdog stories. While top seeds often dominate the conversation, several double-digit seeds and mid-tier teams are positioned to make waves. Here’s a breakdown of the key contenders and moments to watch. In the men’s bracket, chaos is expected in the first weekend, with three double-digit seeds standing out. The No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth Rams, led by coach Phil Martelli Jr., have been on a tear, winning 16 of their last 17 games and capturing the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Their 3-point shooting prowess and deep bench make them a dangerous threat, especially against the No. 6 seed North Carolina Tar Heels, who are missing injured star Caleb Wilson. Meanwhile, the No. 10 seed Santa Clara Broncos, riding a 17-game winning streak, have the tools to challenge higher-seeded teams. Their ability to force turnovers and hit from beyond the arc could be key if they advance past the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats. High Point University, a No. 12 seed, is another dark horse. The Panthers finished the season 30-4, leading the nation in scoring margin and averaging 19.7 points per game. Their aggressive defensive style, which ranks third in turnovers forced per game, could disrupt the No. 5-seeded Wisconsin Badgers. On the women’s side, the landscape is slightly different. While top seeds like UConn and Texas remain strong favorites, several non-No. 1 teams could disrupt the Final Four. The No. 4 seed Oklahoma Sooners, led by freshman Aaliyah Chavez, have the firepower to challenge any opponent. Their recent overtime victory over South Carolina, where Chavez scored 26 points and dished out 8 assists, highlights their potential.#phil_martelli_jr #march_madness #virginia_commonwealth_rams #north_carolina_tar_heels #santa_clara_broncos
