The NCAA tournament selection committee rewarded the Gophers a No. 5 seed for their 24-win season. The masses, however, have little confidence in the Gophers' ability to advance even past the first round.
A roundup of predictions from college basketball insiders and fans reveal Middle Tennessee as the expected victor over the Gophers on Thursday in Milwaukee.
Three of five CBS experts picked Middle Tennessee over the Gophers. Sports Illustrated labeled the matchup an "upset watch."
Gophers coach Richard Pitino won't let the buzz distract his team. The Gophers overcame an underdog role all season to finish fourth in the Big Ten, and several players received all-conference honors.
"Everybody thinks we shouldn't show up, from what I've been hearing and reading," Pitino said. "I think nationally there are a lot of people saying we're not going to win."
JASON GONZALEZ
