It’s a common practice to target upsets in the No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchups when filling out your March Madness brackets.
Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles celebrates a three point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read ourThe disparity is misleading, as these games are usually coin flippers, and they’re where the most upsets occur in the first round of the NCAA Tournament: At least one 12-seed has beaten a 5-seed in 34 of the last 40 tournaments.In the South region of this year’s bracket, No. 12 McNeese is an 11.5-point underdog to No. 5 Vanderbilt.They’re your classic 12-seed: veteran guards, a defensive identity, elite turnover creatio and pace disruption. The Cowboys lead the nation in defensive turnover rate, forcing them on 25 percent of possessions and producing a plus-7.3.High Point vs. Wisconsin prediction: March Madness 2026 odds, picks, best bet for Round of 64 Thursday Vanderbilt, fresh off an 86-75 loss to Arkansas in the SEC Championship game, returns to the tournament after a first-round exit last year.McNeese Cowboys guard Tyshawn Archie dribbles the ball while being defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Nimari Burnett on November 29 2025 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.The Commodores are a healthy offensive team with balanced scoring that hits 79 percent of their free throws. They rank sixth overall in Torvik’s adjusted offensive efficiency rates and are easily the stronger in the halfcourt than McNeese, but the Cowboys’ game translates directly to extra possessions and easy transition buckets. A lot of pressure will be on Duke Miles to consistently initiate Vanderbilt’s relentless ball pressure, especially with how aggressively the Cowboys attack passing lanes and force turnovers. Believe it or not, I actually think this could help them cover a spread this large since they attack the rim and they don’t rely on streaky shooting. The Cowboys are Torvik’s 16th overall team in adjusted defensive efficiency, and although they play slow on paper, those forced turnovers can only lead to fast breaks and quick scoring runs. Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.Former NBA star hits the beach with model fiancée after quiet engagement Ex-WWE star purchased $1M home, boat with stolen welfare funds in state's largest fraud case: prosecutorsStream It Or Skip It: 'Imperfect Women' On Apple TV, Where A Murder Unearths Secrets Among A Group Of Longtime Friends
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