2022 NCAA Tournament: Top 5 March Madness Sleepers
2022 NCAA Tournament: 5 March Madness Sleepers
If you're in a small pool, finding sleepers isn't always necessary. However, if you're looking to win a massive pool with hundreds of people, finding sleepers could be the difference between winning your pool and losing your pool. If both you and a friend select Gonzaga to win it all but only you have a sleeper reach the Elite Eight, you'd defeat your friend because of that selection. It's important!
Here are the top five sleepers of the NCAA Tournament.
Get the best sportsbook promos available in your state by clicking here
5 March Madness Sleepers
1. South Dakota State
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are one of the best offenses in the nation. The Jackrabbits shoot a 59.7% effective field goal percentage, which is the top rate in college basketball, hitting 44.2% from three and 56.3% from inside the arc. On top of that, South Dakota State rarely turns the ball over and gets to the line at a high rate on the offensive end. Defensively, South Dakota State isn't elite but the Jackrabbits hold opponents to 24.2% offensive rebounds and really limit teams from getting to the foul line. South Dakota State was delt Providence and then if it beats Providence, would get Iowa. The game against Iowa would be a shootout and would kind of fit into how South Dakota wants to play. So look out for the Jackrabbits in the Midwest!
Click here for complete March Madness betting odds
2. Rutgers
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights beat every team from the Big 10 that's in the Big Dance. Just because Rutgers lost to some bad teams earlier on before conference play, doesn't mean Rutgers is bad. Actually, Rutgers went to the Sweet 16 last season and are much better this season with the development of most of its players. Rutgers has a solid defense that is holding opponents to 46.5% inside the arc. This team is veteran-led and has the defensive player of the Big Ten in Caleb McConnell. Don't overlook Rutgers if the Scarlet Knights can get by Notre Dame.
3. Vermont
The Vermont Catamounts dominated their way to an automatic NCAA Tournament berth. The Catamounts have one of the best effective field goal percentages in the nation at 57.3% and can really score at will, shooting 36.8% from deep and 58.9% from inside the arc. Vermont won't dominate the glass or get to the line consistently, but the Catamounts do have veterans that are extremely skilled. Vermont is always a tough out and this year, Vermont will actually move on in the tournament. This team is better than any other Vermont team. Vermont crashes the glass on the defensive end and really limit two-point shots. Vermont is really good.
4. Indiana
Indiana might be a 12 seed but this team can go far in the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers have an all-league player like Trayce Jackson-Davis and won two straight games in the Big Ten Tournament over Michigan and Illinois to get a spot in the NCAA Tournament. When the pressure is on, this team steps up. The Hoosiers have been elite defensively and have held teams to 43.4% from inside the arc. On the offensive end, minus the lack of rebounds, Indiana does everything at an above-average level. Teams won't want to face Indiana in the NCAA Tournament. But first, the Hoosiers have to get by Wyoming.
5. Davidson
I know Davidson just lost the A-10 to Richmond. Richmond needed that game to make the NCAA Tournament and played up to expectations after all. Richmond was supposed to be in Davidson's shoes this year anyway. The Wildcats are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.6% while only turning the ball over 14.8% of the time. On the offensive end, Davidson is truly elite, knocking down 38.5% from deep and 54.2% from inside the arc. Then, on the defensive end, teams are only earning 22.2% offensive rebounds against Davidson. It's hard to beat teams when you can't get second chances. Davidson has a tough draw against Michigan State and then Duke, but it's truly possible.
Bet $5 on the MONEYLINE of any March Madness game and win $200 with this amazing DraftKings promo! Simply click here
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.