In this week's first Cinderella watch we have three mid-major teams who look to not only contend for a spot in the NCAA tournament, but make some noise when they get there. It’s still early in the college season, but not too early to start watching the teams that may ruin our tournament brackets (or make them).

Virginia Military Institute Keydets (VMI)
13-2 (5-0, Big South Conference)
Key Wins: Kentucky, Richmond

The Keydets are a completely unknown team who has a chance to make an impact in this years NCAA Tournament. VMI beat Kentucky (currently 12-4) 111-103 early this season at Kentucky, which is not an easy task. Kentucky’s other 3 losses were all to ranked teams (Miami, North Carolina, Louisville). VMI’s only losses are to an ACC team in Virginia and Jacksonville State.

VMI is a guard heavy team that has scored over 90 points 11 times through only 15 games. VMI has a twin twosome consisting of Chavis and Travis Holmes who average 21.8 and 18.9 points per game respectively. The Keydets also have guards Austin Kenon and Keith Gabriel who average over 15 points per game as well. The Big South conference is not a stacked conference, but has given us a previous Cinderella in Winthrop. This week VMI faces off against Presbyterian (6-10) and the 11-6 Liberty Flames. Keep your eyes on the Keydets as the college season continues.


Siena Saints
12-5 (6-0, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)
Key Wins: Boise St., St. Joseph’s

Siena is forming into a potential Cinderella and has faced many tough opponents this season. Siena’s five losses were against; #12 Tennessee, Wichita State, Oklahoma State, #3 Pittsburgh, and Kansas. Many mid-majors coast through the season without scheduling any tough opponents, this is not the case with the Saints and it should pay dividends come March.

If the Saints keep up their conference dominance and make the NCAA Tournament, you will head about G-F Edwin Ubiles who can go for 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on any given night. Ubiles is an exciting player who in the final minute of play against Rider had back to back dunks including a 360 dunk. Siena also has a solid forward in Alex Franklin who averages 13.4 points, and 6.9 rebounds a game. As you may remember, the Siena Saints demolished the #4 seed Vanderbilt in the 2008 NCAA Tournament 83-62. This week the Saints will face Marist and the Fairfield Stags as they attempt to stay undefeated in conference play.


Portland State Vikings
(13-5) (4-1, Big Sky Conference)
Key Wins; at #7 Gonzaga

Portland made national headlines when they upset #7 Gonzaga 77-70 on December 23rd. This same Portland State team nearly upset the Washington Huskies, losing late by a score of 83-84. Gonzaga may not be who we thought they were, but regardless of that the victory by Portland State showed that they are tournament worthy. Weber State and Eastern Washington will be the main teams contending for the Big Sky automatic tournament bid, but expect Portland State to pull away throughout the season and in the conference tournament.

Portland State has the week off to watch the rest of the conference fight it out in the standings. The Vikings are 6-2 in their last 8 with losses to #21 Baylor and Weber State. The Vikings have 4 players that shoot over 40% from 3-pt. range and are very good at avoiding turnovers. Portland will struggle against some of the bigger teams that will make the tournament as they have just 3 players over 6’7. Watch out for the Vikings down the stretch.