Michigan State, Maryland face potential second-round upsets

The second round of the NCAA tournament is approaching, and some teams could face unexpected challenges. While top teams like Duke and Florida appear safe, Michigan State and Maryland may need to watch out for potential upsets. Michigan State, seeded No. 2, will play against No. 10 New Mexico. The Spartans are favored, but the Lobos have a 21.3 percent chance to win. New Mexico excels in forcing turnovers, which could play to their advantage. If they can match their earlier performance against Michigan State, where they dominated the turnover battle, they might pull off an upset. However, Michigan State has one of the best defenses in the country. Maryland, also a No. 4 seed, faces off against No. 12 Colorado State. The Terrapins are coming off a strong victory and have a 20.4 percent chance of being upset. Colorado State relies heavily on 3-point shooting, which will be key for them. However, Maryland is known for defending against long-range shots, making it hard for the Rams to succeed in this area. In another matchup, No. 1 seed Duke will take on No. 9 Baylor. The upset chance for Baylor is 17.2 percent. Duke has performed well all season, but they have a tendency to rely on 3-point shots, creating potential for inconsistency. Baylor's strengths include offensive rebounding and slow play, which could help them if they can optimize their strategy. Lastly, No. 2 Alabama will clash with No. 7 Saint Mary's, who have a 16.5 percent chance to pull off an upset. Saint Mary's is strong on offensive rebounds but typically plays a slow-paced game, which might not be effective against fast-scoring Alabama. The history of similar matchups suggests a tough path for Saint Mary's. Overall, while favorites are expected to win, the potential for upsets always looms in tournament play. Fans will be watching closely on Sunday.