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Five teams that are on upset alert in the men's Sweet 16
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl reacts during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays in the second round to the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Five teams that are on upset alert in the men's Sweet 16

March Madness has been lacking in the madness department through two rounds, as only one double-digit seed made it to the Sweet 16. Hopefully, that sets us up for a wild weekend in the NCAA Tournament.

Let's take a look at the five high seeds on upset alert in the Sweet 16:

No. 1 Auburn Tigers (-8.5) vs. No. 5 Michigan Wolverines

Auburn is much more talented than Michigan, but the Tigers better pray they don't find themselves in a close game down the stretch. The Wolverines are 13-4 this season in games decided by four points or less, including 11 straight. For reference, Michigan is the first team to win 13 games by four or fewer points since Bradley in 1985-86, per Tony Garcia of Detroit Free Press.

Dusty May is one of the best coaches in the sport, and he knows how to get the best out of his players in the clutch. 

No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (-5.5) vs. No. 6 BYU Cougars

If you like offense, this will be the game for you. Alabama (90.8) and BYU (81.2) rank first and 21st, respectively, in the country in points per game. The Cougars are 16-1 this season when they score at least 85 points, and they're coming in hot with 11 wins in their last 12 games. 

The way to take down BYU is to slow the pace and play stellar defense, as Houston did in two blowout wins against the Cougars this year. That's not Alabama's game, so Nate Oats better hope the shots are falling on Thursday night.

No. 2 Michigan State Spartans (-2.5) vs. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels

Michigan State isn't the most impressive statistical team. The Spartans rank 326th in the country in three-point shooting percentage (31.0%), but they offset their outside shooting woes by allowing the lowest three-point percentage in the nation (27.8%)

Enter the red-hot Rebels, which are 19-of-39 (48.7%) from beyond the arc in the NCAA Tournament. If Ole Miss continues to shoot the lights out from three, it's hard to see Michigan State keeping up. 

No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers (-4.5) vs. No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is not the team Tennessee wanted to see in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats swept the Volunteers in the regular season with an 11-point win at home and a five-point victory on the road, and the shooting splits in both contests were glaring.

In two games against Kentucky this season, Tennessee shot a combined 48-of-126 (38.1%) from the field and 14-of-63 (22.2%) from three. As for the Wildcats, they went a combined 51-of-102 (50.0%) from the floor and 24-of-48 (50.0%) from deep in those games. Kentucky might just have Tennessee's number this season.

No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas has quickly turned into a Final Four contender after upset wins against Kansas and St. John's. The Razorbacks are deep with long, athletic bigs who relentlessly crash the glass and generate extra possessions. 

We not have even seen the best version of Arkansas yet, as leading scorer Adou Thiero might return to play for the first time since Feb. 22. Texas Tech better be ready for a war in the Sweet 16. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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