Most likely NCAA Tournament Cinderellas

The MAC has produced some Cinderellas in recent seasons, and the Zips have a chance to join them. Akron is 21-6 overall, with impressive wins that include Arkansas and Iona.

The Trojans made the First Four in 2011, but this year's squad can go much further. They're 24-3 overall, with a 14-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference. The team picked up big out-of-conference wins early in the year vs. San Diego State, Tulsa and DePaul.

Butler has quite a recent history of success in the NCAA Tournament, and this year's team has the talent to make another run. The Bulldogs are in a good position to make an at-large bid from the Big East, with big wins that include Temple, Cincinnati, Purdue and Seton Hall.

Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin made a run in his last year at Tennessee, and his Bears could be even more talented than that 2013-14 Vols team. Martin's team is set for the Tournament at 19-8 just two seasons into his tenure and has been playing good basketball recently. The Bears have big wins vs. St. Mary's, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon.

Chattanooga last made the NCAA Tournament in 2009, but it's likely to return this season with a 24-5 team that's dominated the Southern Conference. Wins vs. Georgia, Illinois and Dayton have shown that this team can play with the big boys.

Cincinnati got off to a great start this season but has had a tougher go in the AAC. Wins vs. VCU, Tulsa and UConn could be enough to get the Bearcats in the Dance, and there's enough talent to make the Sweet Sixteen if they get a favorable draw.

The Buffs are likely to return to the Tournament this year after missing out last season. This year's squad still has plenty of experience, with Colorado making it the previous three seasons before last year. The Buffaloes have taken down BYU, Oregon and Cal to this point.

It's just a matter of time before head coach Archie Miller takes over a big-time program. He's made the NCAA Tournament and advanced in consecutive seasons, even making the Elite Eight in 2014. This season's Dayton squad could be his best at 21-5 and could earn as high as a four seed. The Flyers have already beaten Alabama, Iowa, Monmouth, Vanderbilt and Arkansas.

The Zags have rewritten what it means to be a Cinderella team over the years, and they have a chance this year if they can make the Big Dance. They're in a dead heat with St. Mary's for the WCC lead, so their ticket could come down to the conference tournament. Wins vs. Washington, UConn and Tennessee show they belong.

Hawaii still has to win the Big West Tournament, but the Warriors have led the conference for most of the season. They're 22-3 overall, with notable wins vs. Nevada, Northern Iowa and Auburn. They also took likely Tournament teams Texas Tech and Oklahoma to the wire. Hawaii's last NCAA Tournament appearance was all the way back in 2002.

Monmouth's bench has made headlines this season with its enthusiasm, but the team has also been great on the court. The Hawks lead the MAAC, though they'll still need to win the MAAC Tournament to get an NCAA bid. Wins vs. UCLA, Notre Dame and Georgetown are the main headlines of their season.

New Mexico State has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons and five of the last six, but it still hasn't won a game over that time. Will the trend change this year? The Aggies lack any impressive wins but could have an advantage if their opponents are lacking experience.

It's difficult to ever call Pitt an underdog, but the Panthers are on the bubble and would likely be an eight-plus seed if they make the NCAA Tournament. Their experience with a rough ACC schedule can only help, and they've gained some big wins vs. Syracuse, Notre Dame and Florida State.

The Mountain West isn't as strong as usual this season, but San Diego State has dominated the conference with one of the top defenses in college basketball. The defense could wreak havoc early in the Tournament, and the Aztecs have strong wins vs. Illinois State and Cal.

To say Stephen F. Austin has dominated the Southland Conference over the last three seasons would be an understatement. The Lumberjacks have only one conference loss over that time and remain undefeated this year. Even at 20-5 overall, the Lumberjacks probably need to win the conference tournament for an NCAA berth. If they get there, they have great experience from the last two seasons, even knocking off VCU in 2014.

St. Mary's is back as a premier basketball program, challenging Gonzaga in the WCC. They're 22-4 overall, with wins vs. Stanford and the Zags. Getting to the Tournament without winning their conference tournament still won't be easy, but the Gaels could prove dangerous if they get there as one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation.

Shaka Smart's impact in Austin has been felt much quicker than anticipated, with the Longhorns already a lock for the NCAA Tournament. They've taken to Smart's pressure style well, with big wins vs. Washington, North Carolina, Iowa State, West Virginia twice, Baylor and Texas Tech. Smart showed that his style was difficult to prepare for in the NCAA Tournament while at VCU.

The Red Raiders have played themselves into the NCAA Tournament recently with wins vs. Iowa State, Baylor and Oklahoma. They're getting hot at the right team and will be a team no one will want to play if they can keep it up.

UAB leads Conference USA and is the clear front-runner to win the conference tournament. Its 22-5 record includes wins vs. Illinois State and Stephen F. Austin, and the Blazers are among the leaders in assists.

UConn proved two years ago that it can't be counted out, winning the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. The Huskies have a strong chance to win the AAC Tournament with SMU banned from playing and could ride their elite defense through the NCAA Tournament.

UNC Wilmington leads the CAA, but it will be a brawl for the conference tournament title with Hofstra, William & Mary, and James Madison being the main challengers. Averaging 80 points per game this season, Wilmington looks like it can keep up if it gets the right matchup.

Valpo coach Bryce Drew knows a thing or two about being a Cinderella, helping lead the school to the Sweet Sixteen in 1998 as a player. He's yet to win a game in the Tournament as a head coach, but this year's team could be his best at 24-5. Valparaiso played Oregon tough on the road early in the year and ranks as one of the best defenses in college basketball.

No Shaka Smart, no problem. New head coach Will Wade has picked up where Smart left off, leading the A-10 and looking good for an NCAA Tournament bid at 20-7 with wins vs. St. Joe's, Buffalo and St. Bonaventure.

This year's Shockers team has actually been a bit of a disappointment at 21-7 overall, but its past tournament experience could be huge. Led by Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, Wichita State is Tournament-tested and has been one of the elite defenses in college basketball this season. This is a team no one will want to draw with seven NCAA Tournament wins over the last three seasons.

Considering the Badgers were almost left for dead early in the season, Wisconsin could be called a Cinderella despite making the NCAA Tournament Final last year. Interim head coach Greg Gard is well on his way to earning the job full-time after an impressive seven-game winning streak during Big Ten play and a great defense. Even after losing Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky from last year's team, the Badgers remain dangerous.