It wasn't too long ago when UCLA went on their own deep run as a double-digit seed during March Madness. The Midwest region isn't viewed as the strongest area in this year's bracket. There are always a number of possibilities come tournament time, and upsets can happen in any game.
The Bruins are favored to win their 7/10 matchup against Utah State. There could be one fixture in particular that sees a lower seed ending a consensus favorite early. 2025 could prove to be a successful stretch on the big stage. In order to potentially make a deep run, coach Mick Cronin may need other teams to help pave an easier path to the later stages.
While unlikely to affect UCLA too much, even if this side does go through, McNeese State has a good shot to upset Clemson. The Cowboys won the Southland Conference after defeating Lamar in the conference championship. Their ACC counterparts, the Tigers, meanwhile, bowed out in the semifinals of their respective conference tournament in a close one against Louisville.
It can be tricky navigating the field with a lot of teams taking a step up in competition. Mid-major programs tend to have a difficult time when facing a side from one of the Power 6 programs. Even among the likes of the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12, there is a certain level of hierarchy in college sports.
These tiers, however, aren't destiny. Upsets and a smaller or lower-seeded school can cause havoc at the dance any season. So while McNeese is the sole representative of the SLC, that alone shouldn't write them off.
Five of their players average over 9.0 points per game. This balanced approach makes it more difficult for teams to scout them. This is especially true for scouting efforts attempting to get an edge against potential upset rosters for the first time.
More importantly, veteran backcourts tend to do well at this time of year. Quadir Copeland leads the offense at 4.5 assists per contest. At 6-foot-6, he offers good size at the guard position and has 1.3 steals per contest as well. Javohn Garcia is a senior who leads the scoring efforts at 12.9 points per game. Sincere Parker is a junior guard who further chips in 12.1 PPG.
Important team for UCLA fans to monitor
Coach Will Wade has a lot of upperclassmen talent to lean on. In the event that games are close, college experience should be able to win out. Past years may have had sides with both veteran experience and multiple years together. In today's transfer portal era, however, most rosters utilize the services of transfers for each season. This unit has gelled together quickly, though, and they are ready to be more than a one-stop appearance in this tourney.
The conference schedule may leave some unimpressed. Coach Wade did lead his men to a neutral-site matchup against Mississippi State during non-conference play, however. In only a three-point loss, the Cowboys showed they can compete with a team from an upper-echelon SEC. They also suffered something of a narrow loss at Alabama by only eight points. These prior matchups should show how well this team can play together and rise to the occasion.
A UCLA and McNeese State meeting is unlikely because of how the bracket fell. Both teams are lower seeds. The Cowboys upsetting the Tigers in a 5/12 matchup is 100% on the board, though. Statistically, one No. 12 seed advances per tournament, and it could very possibly come from the Bruins' region.