March Madness 2022 Cinderella Teams: Can Saint Peter’s, Iowa State, Miami Make The Final Four?

A few Cinderella teams have emerged in March Madness 2022, making unexpected trips to the Sweet Sixteen. There are always underdogs that pull off upsets in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, but making it all the way to the Final Four would put one of this year’s underdogs in historic company.

No. 15 Saint Peter’s is March Madness’ biggest Cinderella story with victories over No. 2 Kentucky and No. 7 Murray State. No. 11 Iowa State defeated No. 6 LSU and No. 3 Wisconsin for an unlikely trip to the Sweet Sixteen. No. 10 Miami is one of the four teams left standing in the Midwest region after upsetting No. 7 USC and No. 2 Auburn.

No. 11 Michigan might be considered a Cinderella team because of its double-digit seed. The Wolverines, however, were favored in their first-round game and started the college basketball season ranked sixth in the AP Top 25 Poll.

Can any of the 2022 Cinderella teams make a run to the Final Four?

For Saint Peter’s, just making it to the Elite Eight would be a stunning achievement. Only two No. 15 seeds have ever reached the Sweet 16, and both of them were defeated in their first game of the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend.

Saint Peter’s has +625 odds to beat No. 3 Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen, according to BetMGM. The Peacocks would have to beat No. 4 UCLA or No. 8 North Carolina in the East Regional Final. Saint Peter’s has +3000 odds to make the Final Four.

It might be hard to completely count out the Peacocks after what they did in the first two rounds. Saint Peter’s beat Kentucky 85-79, despite National Player of the Year favorite Oscar Tshiebwe posting 30 points and 16 rebounds. Kentucky had been considered one of the NCAA’s top national championship contenders.

In the second round, it was the Saint Peter’s defense that led the way. They beat No. 7 Murray State 70-60. Murray State entered the matchup with a 31-2 record.

Either Miami or Iowa State is guaranteed to at least reach the doorstep of the Final Four. The two teams are set to square off in the Sweet Sixteen Friday night. The winner will take on No. 1 Kansas or No. 4 Providence in the Midwest Regional Final.

Miami is a -145 favorite to beat Iowa State. The Cyclones have +120 odds at BetMGM to reach the Elite Eight. The Hurricanes have +500 Final Four odds. Iowa State is also given a realistic chance to make the Final Four with +550 odds.

The most surprising result of the second round might’ve been Miami’s 79-61 win over Auburn. Auburn was ranked first in the Top 25 Poll for multiple weeks during the regular season. The Hurricanes held possible No. 1 draft pick Jabari Smith to 10 points on 16 shots.

Iowa State has surrendered just 103 points in its tournament wins. The Cyclones have a chance to make the Final Four if their defense continues to play at that level.

Miami has never made it to the Elite Eight in program history. Iowa State hasn’t played in the Final Four since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

UCLA reached the Final Four as a No. 11 seed last year. Five No. 11 seeds in NCAA history have won their region. Loyola Chicago did it in 2018, and VCU joined that group in 2011.

Only the 2016 Syracuse basketball team has played in the Final Four as a No. 10 seed.