Teams most likely to play Cinderella in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

Cinderella has taken on a different meaning over the last 10-15 years. There always have been mid-majors making nice runs in the tournament, but these days nearly every team that gets a bid honestly believes it will go deep in the Big Dance.

We've seen George Mason beat Michigan State, North Carolina and UConn en route to a Final Four. Steph Curry nearly carried Davidson to a regional championship. Last year, Sister Jean and the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers charmed us all in their run to the Final Four. Butler, a small school from Indianapolis that was more known for its gym than anything it's done, went to consecutive national championship games and now plays in the Big East Conference.

Yes. It is a fine time to be a Cinderella.

So with the 2019 NCAA Tournament upon us, here are 10 teams that could grab the nation's attention over the next few weeks.

Belmont

This team can score. The Bruins were the second-best scoring team in the country, and if they are hot they can scare any team in the nation. This is an experienced bunch, with seniors Dylan Windler (21.4 ppg, 10.7 rbs) and Kevin McClain (16.3 ppg) leading the way. They love to get out in transition, and they lead the nation in assists. This is the Bruins' eighth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 14 years and while they've yet to win a tournament game, they are most famous for putting a scare into Duke back in 2008. Since the First Four was established in 2011, at least one team playing in it has beaten its opponent in the next round.  This year, that could be Belmont.

Murray State

Quite simply, Murray State has Ja Morant and no one else does. Morant is a likely lottery pick — possibly a top five selection — who is the first college player to average 20 points and 10 assists for a season. The Naismith finalist has been spectacular this season, but he isn't alone. Guards Shaq Buchanan and Tevin Brown have added scoring punch (Morant's been getting those assists to somebody), and this team excels at getting to the paint.

Wofford

Can Wofford be considered a Cinderella? Well, yes. A talent like Fletcher Magee can carry a team far in the tournament if he gets hot. The senior averaged over 20 points per game this season and is the star for a team that is second nationally in three-point shooting percentage. Many people are skeptical of a squad that is known more for losing to some of the best teams in the nation than beating any of them. Wofford has that mixture of a star and a bunch of long-range gunners who could help the team not only win its first-round game but also give Kentucky a big scare.

Vermont

It's all there. Vermont has a star player in Anthony Lamb who can have that "why is this guy at this school" kind of game, some tournament experience, possibly an opponent that could be ripe for an upset and it'll play the game in a geographically friendly environment. Lamb is averaging 21.3 points per game, though he may find it tough to deal with Florida State's lengthy defense. The Seminoles are coming off a huge upset of Virginia and an ACC final loss to Duke, so there could be a letdown against the Catamounts. Add in the fact that the game will be in Hartford with a crowd that will not likely be Seminole-friendly. If Vermont can pull off a win, it is on to deal with the Marquette-Murray State winner.

UC-Irvine

Sometimes it isn't just who you are that makes for a Cinderella but who you are up against. UC-Irvine faces a Kansas State team that enters yet another tournament with a banged-up Dean Wade. The Anteaters could take advantage, with guards Max Hazzard (great name) and Robert Cartwright and their ability to protect the basketball and make plays. Even with Wade at full strength, K-State doesn't have a blistering offense, so UCI should be able to stick around and attempt the upset.  If it can pull that off, it could face a Wisconsin team that plays similarly.

Saint Mary's

In case you haven't heard, the Gaels knocked off Gonzaga in the WCC title game. This is a great defensive team that excels at getting up in three-point shooters' faces. Villanova loves to shoot the three. Saint Mary's also boasts Jordan Ford, who can get on a scoring binge quickly. This team just beat the Zags, so it's a confident bunch. Villanova is notoriously a boom-or-bust program. (In this decade, the Wildcats have advanced past the first weekend just twice, and both of those ended up with national championships.) One of those upset losses was back in 2010...to Saint Mary's. If the Gaels survive, they could see Purdue and try to hound Carsen Edwards.

New Mexico State

The Aggies are tournament staples — this is their eighth trip over the last 10 years — and they are rebounding monsters. Only one guy, Terrell Brown, averages double figures...and that is just at 11.3 ppg. This is a true team effort on offense, defense and on the boards. Sure, Auburn did just blow through the SEC Tournament, but this could set up well for a trap game as Kansas looms in the next round. The game is in Salt Lake City, so there should be some western love in the arena for NMSU.

Liberty

The Flames aren't the most fun to watch, as they are methodical with their offense. It is the kind of thing that could make a team like Mississippi State impatient and frustrated. It may not seem like a big deal now, but Liberty did go into Pauley Pavilion and beat UCLA. This bunch won't be scared of the Bulldogs and will relish this opportunity. For those people who say they love old-fashioned college basketball, hitch your bandwagon here.

Northeastern 

I just love Vasa Pusica. He's a baller who is unafraid of any competition and has come a long way to get to the point. The Huskies blew out Alabama earlier this year, beat CAA darling Hofstra twice and lost by three a third time. Seven guys average at least eight points a game. They face a Kansas team that's reeling a bit after so many personnel issues this season. The Jayhawks could be set up for a fall, and Pusica and the Huskies could be the Cinderella to take advantage of that.

Ohio State
OK, maybe picking a team from a power conference...especially one like Ohio State that has been successful...is cheating a bit. Well, every year it seems as if a team like this bucks the trend and makes a run in the tournament. (Two years ago it was Syracuse that went from 10 seed to Final Four.) The Buckeyes are an 11-seed because they lost four of their last five games (and seven of 10), but they were without suspended Kaleb Wesson for three of those losses. He came back for the Big Ten Tournament, and they hung with Michigan State, losing by seven. If their guards are scoring, they can be dangerous.