There are two constants about March Madness: Upsets happen every year and everyone wants be able to say they had them picked in their bracket.
From the moment that the field of 68 team was unveiled on Selection Sunday, upset picks have been touted by experts and likely copied by someone in your office pool. Whether they're seed-based picks involving those perennially wild 5-12 matchups or prognostications based on the particular strengths and weakness of teams paired up in the 2014 Big Dance, here are five of the most popular upset specials.
Advertisement
No. 11 Providence Over No. 6 UNC
AP
Sorry Tar Heels. After winning the Big East Tournament, Providence has become a trendy pick to upset North Carolina in the second round. Matt Norlander, Jerry Palm, Dennis Dodd and Seth Davis of CBS Sports all picked Providence to get past UNC.
No. 10 Saint Joseph's Over No. 7 UConn
AP
The Saint Joseph's Hawks are being picked by many to ride their momentum past UConn and into the third round of the NCAA Tournament. In fact, Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com picked the Hawks to make it to the Sweet 16. Scott Gleeson of USA Today Sports didn't go that far, but did pick Saint Joseph's to top UConn.
No. 12 Stephen F. Austin Over No. 5 VCU
AP
At least one No. 12 seed has upset a No. 5 seed from 2008 through 2013. So not surprisingly, many experts are predicting that No. 12 Stephen F. Austin will take out No. 5 VCU. CBS Sports' Seth Davis picked the Lumberjacks as on of his upset specials and Eric Prisbell of USA Today Sports picked them to advance to the Sweet 16.
Advertisement
No. 12 North Dakota State Over No. 5 Oklahoma
AP
Watch out, Sooners. There aren't many out there who think you can beat the North Dakota State Bison, who have won 14 of its last 15 games. Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated picked North Dakota State, as did ESPN's Myron Medcalf.
No. 12 Harvard Over No. 5 Cincinnati
AP
Riding an eight-game winning streak and having won 12 of its last 13 games heading into the Big Dance, No. 12 Harvard has been a common pick to upset No. 5 Cincinnati. Half of CBS Sports' experts picked Harvard to advance to the third round, as did ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi and analyst Jay Williams.