Breaking Down 5 Potential Cinderella Squads in the 2015 NCAA Tournament
Georgia State Panthers
Georgia State hasn't made the big dance since 2001, but this team could make ruffle some feathers in the big show. Georgia State surely isn't the biggest basketball powerhouse in the region, but the Panthers have two transfers from nearby powerhouse schools.
Ryan Harrow transferred from North Carolina State to Kentucky and from Kentucky to Georgia State. Kevin Ware, who I'm sure we all remember from his devastating leg injury, is a transfer from Louisville.
Georgia State is a very well balanced team, as their offense ranks better than 89.3 percent of schools, and their defense ranks better than 89.2 percent.
R.J. Hunter is the key piece to the Panthers, and his 6.6 Win Shares ranks 12th in the nation. Hunter is top-20 in the country in minutes played (1,214), field goal attempts (487), three-point attempts (247), free throws (193), free throw attempts (221), steals (72), steals per game (2.2), points (652), and points per game (19.8). Hunter's usage rate (29.5 percent) is the fifth-highest in the tournament among players who averaged at least 20 minutes this year.
The Panthers have a nERD of 5.91, which ranks 78th in the nation this year and which makes them the best 14 seed in the tournament. Baylor, (15.21 nERD) is the 12th best team in the country, but with an offense in the 88.9th percentile and a defense in the 86.9th, Baylor actually grades out worse than Georgia State in terms of efficiency. Baylor is a really good team, but so is Georgia State.
Their potential Round of 32 matchup -- Xavier (12.48) or Ole Miss (9.40) -- won't be easy, but if you want to keep your eye on a 14 seed, this is the one.