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Three College Basketball Powerhouses Face Potential Upsets in March Madness
Analysts predict Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisville could be knocked out early in the tournament
Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:21pm
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As the NCAA March Madness tournament approaches, analysts are predicting that three of college basketball's blue blood programs - Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisville - could be vulnerable to early upsets. Barstool Sports' John Fanta highlighted specific matchups where lower-seeded teams like USF, VCU, and Santa Clara have a strong chance of knocking off the favored higher seeds.
Why it matters
March Madness is known for its unpredictable nature and Cinderella stories, where lower-ranked teams can pull off shocking upsets over powerhouse programs. If these predictions hold true, it would shake up the tournament landscape and provide more parity, excitement, and opportunity for lesser-known teams to make deep runs.
The details
Fanta believes USF, led by star player Izaiyah Nelson, has the high-tempo style to give #6 seed Louisville problems. He also likes VCU, led by coach Phil Martelli Jr., to take down #19 North Carolina, who will be without injured star Caleb Wilson. Finally, Fanta thinks Santa Clara, a top-25 offense nationally, can knock off #7 seed Kentucky.
- The March Madness tournament begins this week.
The players
John Fanta
Analyst at Barstool Sports who made the upset predictions.
Bryan Hodgson
Head coach of the USF Bulls basketball team.
Izaiyah Nelson
One of USF's best players.
Phil Martelli Jr.
Head coach of the VCU Rams basketball team.
Herb Sendek
Head coach of the Santa Clara Broncos basketball team.
What they’re saying
“Bryan Hodgson is a coaching star and I really like this USF team to knock off Louisville. This is a team that Izaiyah Nelson is one of their best players. They play at a very, very high tempo. There balance scathed and they can give Louisville's defense some issues.”
— John Fanta, Analyst (Barstool Sports)
“I also think that North Carolina goes down. I am taking VCU, Phil Martelli Jr.'s squad, number one, they're playing their best basketball of the season. Number two they defend at a very high level and I expect them to get North Carolina in the half-court.”
— John Fanta, Analyst (Barstool Sports)
“The third one I have, it's not Santa Clause, it's Santa Clara. I like Herb Sendek's team. They're a top 25 offensive team in the country. I think Santa Clara knocks off Kentucky on Friday afternoon.”
— John Fanta, Analyst (Barstool Sports)
What’s next
The March Madness tournament begins this week, with the first round games taking place on Thursday and Friday. If these upset predictions come true, it would shake up the tournament landscape and provide more excitement and opportunity for lesser-known teams to make deep runs.
The takeaway
March Madness is known for its unpredictability, and this year could be no different if these three blue blood programs - Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisville - are indeed upset in the early rounds. It would provide more parity, Cinderella stories, and overall excitement for college basketball fans during the tournament.
