The most likely upsets Oregon can hope for in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region

As the No. 11 seed in their region, the Oregon Ducks don’t have an easy path for their journey through the NCAA Tournament. Top teams like Purdue, Tennessee, and Creighton are in Oregon’s collision course so the Ducks can only hope their path is cleared by someone else.

The Ducks wouldn’t see Creighton until the Second Round or play Tennessee until the Sweet Sixteen. In the Elite Eight, Purdue could be the ultimate test for Oregon's ticket to the Final Four.

If Oregon can defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Ducks have quite a few formidable opponents ahead of them.

With these three teams in Oregon’s (possible) future, who can the Ducks bank on to cause a bracket-busting upset?

Creighton loses to Akron

If Akron can clear the Bluejays out of the Ducks’ way, Oregon’s journey through the Sweet Sixteen will be much less bumpy.

Creighton is the three-seed in the region despite struggling this postseason. Greg McDermott will most likely only pull two or three players off the bench while facing the Zips. If Akron can wear down Creighton’s starters, the Bluejays may fade in the second half and the Zips could walk away with the victory.

Creighton lost to Providence in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals by just 5 points.

Oregon’s adrenaline from its so-far incredible postseason run could easily carry the team past South Carolina and to a win over the Akron Zips. All of a sudden, the Ducks would find themselves in the Sweet Sixteen.

A fun fact for everyone, if they don’t already know: Before Dana Altman took over the Ducks, his team? The Creighton Bluejays.

Tennessee loses to Texas

Former Longhorn head coach Rick Barnes now leads the Tennessee Volunteers’ squad. If both UTs can move on from the First Round, the two would face each other in the Round of 32.

While Texas may struggle to get past the Colorado State Rams in the First Round, Barnes notoriously flops in the postseason and may end up losing to his former team.

Texas is the No. 7 seed and Tennessee is the No. 2 seed, in other words, the numbers speak for themselves. If the Longhorns can muscle by the Rams and take on the Vols, the Oregon Ducks would wildly benefit from Texas moving on to the next round instead of Tennessee.

The Vols lost in the SEC Tournament in a shocking 17-point upset by Mississippi State.

In yet another coach versus former school matchup, I bet the Ducks are rooting pretty strongly for the Horns to walk away with the win (if the matchup comes to fruition).

Purdue loses to Utah State or TCU

While there’s no coaching crossover in this possible matchup, if Oregon makes its way past the Round of 64, I think the Ducks will be closely watching Purdue’s second-round game.

The Boilermakers are not only the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region but one of the best teams in the nation this season. With star center Zach Edey carrying Purdue through its tough SEC schedule, the team should be able to take down any opponent that they face.

However, with Utah State and TCU playing each other in the First Round, the Boilermakers will have to face the Aggies or the Horned Frogs in the Round of 32.

If the winner of the TCU-Utah State game can take down Purdue, then Oregon's trip back to the Final Four could be smooth sailing.

Purdue, just like Tennessee and Creighton, lost in its conference tournament.

With all three teams entering the tournament without a conference title and the Ducks riding the high from the Pac-12 Championship Game, Oregon may just make the impossible happen, especially with a little help from friends.

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