The key to any successful March Madness bracket is landing one or two of those Sweet Sixteen sleepers that come out of nowhere. Picking these can help you secure a money finish in a pool, although they do come with a lot of risk.
Especially if the higher seed you eliminate early makes a deep run. There is nothing worse than being on the wrong side of a seven/ten seed upset and then watching the team you pick against win more games.
But you need to risk it to get the biscuit. And if you are feeling risky, here are four Sweet Sixteen sleepers to consider for your March Madness bracket.
Read More: The true story of the worst team in college basketball
4 Sweet Sixteen sleepers to consider
1) Colorado State
Colorado State is by no means a great basketball team, but their path to the Sweet Sixteen as a six seed is fairly easy. In the first round, the Rams get a Michigan side that snuck into the NCAA Tournament. After that, a potential matchup with Tennessee looms. The Vols are good but beatable.
What Colorado State really has going for it is David Roddy. The skilled forward is the type of player who thrives in March. Many teams don’t face guys with the savvy and all-around game that Roddy boasts, and he can carry the Rams during the first weekend.
2) Alabama
Look, Alabama was the ultimate all-or-nothing team in college basketball this season. When shots are falling, they can beat anyone. In fact, the Crimson Tide have wins over Gonzaga and Baylor this season. They can also lose to anyone. Despite that, it makes more sense to gamble on teams you know have the ability to win instead of throwing a blind dart on some school with no signature victories.
3) Iowa
Picking a five seed as one of our Sweet Sixteen sleepers isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but Iowa still needs to beat a higher seed to make it this far. Or do they? Many people have South Dakota State upsetting the Friars in the first round. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes are on a roll having won the Big Ten Tournament and possess the talent to navigate the opening weekend regardless of who they face.
4) San Diego State
Picking a second round upset of a number one seed can backfire spectacularly. However, they do happen and San Diego State knocking off Kansas seems like the most likely shock in2022. The Aztecs play good defense and grind relentlessly to keep most games close. If you really want to take a chance, this is worth considering.
More College Basketball: Gonzaga players who went to the NBA under Mark Few
