The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is known for its Cinderella stories, where lower-seeded teams pull off stunning upsets against higher-seeded opponents. This year, one potential upset could be on the horizon as the 12th-seeded UMass Lowell River Hawks face off against the 5th-seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. While Georgia Tech is favored to win, there are several reasons why UMass Lowell could pull off the upset.
UMass Lowell's strong defensive performance has been a key factor in their success this season. The River Hawks have held their opponents to an average of 62.1 points per game, which is the 15th-best defensive performance in the country. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has struggled with consistency on offense, averaging 73.1 points per game. If UMass Lowell can continue to play stifling defense, they may be able to slow down the Yellow Jackets' offense and keep the game close.
Another reason UMass Lowell could pull off the upset is their rebounding advantage. The River Hawks have outrebounded their opponents by an average of 6.5 rebounds per game, which is the 20th-best rebounding margin in the country. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has been outrebounded by an average of 1.4 rebounds per game. If UMass Lowell can continue to dominate the boards, they may be able to limit Georgia Tech's scoring opportunities and create more chances for themselves.
UMass Lowell's Experience in Big Games
UMass Lowell has played several big games this season, including matchups against power conference opponents like Boston College and Harvard. In these games, the River Hawks have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country. They have also shown that they can win in big moments, having come from behind to beat several opponents this season. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has struggled in big games, having lost to several power conference opponents this season. If UMass Lowell can draw on their experience in big games, they may be able to pull off the upset.
The River Hawks have also been led by several talented players, including guard Obadiah Noel and forward Connor Withers. Noel has averaged 17.3 points per game this season, while Withers has averaged 12.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has been led by guard Jose Alvarado and forward Moses Wright. Alvarado has averaged 14.4 points per game this season, while Wright has averaged 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. If UMass Lowell's players can outperform Georgia Tech's players, they may be able to pull off the upset.
UMass Lowell's Coaching Advantage
UMass Lowell's head coach, Pat Duquette, has a significant coaching advantage over Georgia Tech's head coach, Josh Pastner. Duquette has been coaching for over 20 years, including several stints as an assistant coach in the power conferences. Pastner, on the other hand, has been coaching for just over 10 years, including several stints as an assistant coach in the power conferences. Duquette's experience and coaching acumen may give him an edge in terms of game planning and adjustments, which could help the River Hawks pull off the upset.
UMass Lowell's Momentum
Finally, UMass Lowell has significant momentum going into the tournament. The River Hawks have won 10 of their last 12 games, including several big wins over power conference opponents. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has lost several games down the stretch, including a few to weaker opponents. If UMass Lowell can continue to play with confidence and momentum, they may be able to pull off the upset.
Gallery of UMass Lowell River Hawks
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