While the No. 1 seeds grab headlines, five teams seeded below the elite are poised to write their own March Madness legends.
March Madness is synonymous with upsets and Cinderella stories, but the narrative often centers on the lowest seeds upsetting the giants. This year, the intrigue isn’t confined to the 16-seeds. Five teams, seeded as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 7, possess the combination of talent, momentum, and narrative to captivate the nation and make deep runs in the tournament. These squads, ranging from SEC champions to a team that has transformed its program in a single season, are the ones to watch beyond the top lines on the bracket.
The list includes Arkansas, Iowa State, Miami (Fla.), Purdue, and Vanderbilt — each with unique storylines that could define this tournament. From a coach seeking a historic fourth Final Four with a different program to a team that has already defied expectations with an 18-win improvement, these teams are loaded with talent and momentum.
Arkansas: Calipari’s Fourth Program, Acuff’s Ascension
The Arkansas Razorbacks enter the tournament on a five-game winning streak after capturing the SEC tournament championship. This is no ordinary Razorbacks squad: it’s led by a legend in John Calipari, who has taken three different programs to the Final Four and now has a chance to become the first coach to do it with a fourth. The catalyst is freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., a consensus projected NBA lottery pick who earned SEC tournament MVP honors. In the championship game, Acuff made history by becoming the first player in SEC history to score 30 points and dish out 10 assists in a single game [USA TODAY].
Acuff isn’t alone. Frontcourt players Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III provide interior presence, and the bench features former McDonald’s All-American Game MVP D.J. Wagner. The Razorbacks’ offense is prolific: they averaged 90 points per game, a mark topped only by Alabama and Miami (Ohio) in the entire nation. This high-scoring, experienced team has the tools to make a deep run and give Calipari his fourth Final Four.
Iowa State: The Unbeaten (Almost) Cyclones
The Midwest’s No. 2 seed, Iowa State, was almost untouchable for most of the season. The Cyclones didn’t drop their first game until a mid-January road trip to Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks. That setback aside, they’ve been a model of consistency. Three players score in double digits, led by Milan Momcilovic at 17.1 points per game, and eight players average at least 4.5 points per game, showcasing remarkable balance.
Defensively, Iowa State ranks No. 12 in the nation, allowing just 65.1 points per game. This two-way prowess makes them a nightmare matchup. Their near-perfect start and the ability to share the scoring load suggest they have the temperament to survive the pressure of March and perhaps advance further than their seed indicates.
Miami (Fla.): The Record-Setting Turnaround
In just one season, first-year coach Jai Lucas has orchestrated the largest year-over-year turnaround in college basketball. After a 7-24 campaign that closed the Jim Larrañaga era, the Miami Hurricanes have already improved by 18 wins and earned a No. 10 seed. The transformation is built on the backs of players like Malik Reneau, a starter in all 33 games who leads the team with 18.8 points per game and is the second-leading rebounder (6.6 per game) behind Ernest Udeh Jr. (9.3 rebounds per game).
This rapid rise under a new coach, combined with a roster that features a true star in Reneau, makes Miami a compelling story. Can a team that has already defied expectations continue to overachieve in the tournament? The Hurricanes’ first matchup against No. 10 seed Missouri sets the stage for what could be an extended stay.
Purdue: The Preseason Favorite’s Redemption March
After a season that saw them enter as the preseason No. 1 but struggle in the Big Ten, the Purdue Boilermakers have turned the page in dramatic fashion. They were the Big Ten’s No. 7 seed for their league tournament but then won four games by a combined 44 points, capped by an eight-point victory over top-seeded Michigan to claim the championship and earn a No. 2 seed in the West.
The Boilermakers are led by Braden Smith, the All-American who is just one assist away from Bobby Hurley’s NCAA career assists record [Yahoo Sports]. Smith, with 1,075 assists, could break the record during March Madness, a storyline that will follow Purdue every game. Also watch for Oscar Cluff, a 6-11 native of Australia’s Sunshine Coast, who erupted for a game-high 21 points against Michigan and looks poised for a breakout tournament.
Vanderbilt: Back-to-Back for the First Time in a Decade
Second-year coach Mark Byington has the Vanderbilt Commodores dancing in consecutive years for the first time since 2016-17. That’s not all: Vanderbilt has scored wins against a staggering list of NCAA Tournament teams, including Saint Mary’s, SMU, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee (twice). This resume of wins alone makes them a formidable opponent.
The offense flows through hometown sophomore Tyler Tanner (19.1 points per game) and graduate-transfer guard Duke Miles, who is playing for his fourth college team after stints at Troy, High Point, and Oklahoma, averaging 16.5 points per game. Also of note: forward AK Okereke skipped the 2025 NBA Draft to return to college, transferring from Cornell to Vanderbilt, and has seen his professional stock rise. His decision to come back could pay off with a tournament showcase.
Why These Teams Matter
What ties these five teams together is a blend of momentum, narrative, and talent. Arkansas has the coaching legend and a one-and-done star. Iowa State is the disciplined, balanced team that could surprise. Miami represents the power of a coaching change and rapid improvement. Purdue is the preseason favorite that has regained its form, with a record chase adding drama. Vanderbilt has a schedule full of statement wins and a veteran scoring core.
In a tournament where upsets are expected, these teams are not your typical low-seed underdogs. They are loaded with future professionals and have already proven they can compete with the best. For fans looking for the next great March story, keep an eye on these five. They have the potential to go further than most expect and become the tournament’s defining narratives.
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