Will the Glass Slipper Fit Eastern Washington in the NCAA Tournament?

When the 14th-seeded Eastern Washington Eagles, whose, arguably, most famous sports alumnus is likely footballer and Yakima native Cooper Kupp, face the #3 seed and blue blood Kansas Jayhawks in the first round of the NCAA Men's basketball tournament on Saturday, the odds will obviously be stacked against them winning.

Not just only the tournament altogether, but even a single game. But, hey... it's March and there's a reason why the moniker "madness" is attached. Every year (let's forget 2020 never existed!) there are always a few upsets in the first round and an unlikely team that makes a crazy run that blows up more than a few brackets.

Can the Eagles be that team in 2021?

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Well, by the time the two teams hit the hardwood on Saturday (March 20), the Eagle will already have an inspiration to help propel them to the upset win. In first round action on Friday, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (18-10) pulled off a stunning upset of #2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (21-11) by the score of 75-72.

Will the glass slipper fit the Eagles? Time will tell. Despite being 10 1/2 point underdogs according to odds makers in Las Vegas, EWU still has a puncher's chance to win. Considering that the Buckeyes are also missing two players due to COVID-19 protocols, the tables have been balanced just a bit more. Obviously, the top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs out of Spokane are getting all of the limelight here in the state of Washington and justifiably and rightly so. That said, there's another team from Eastern Washington (Cheney) that we will have our eyes on as the tournament gets underway.

Fly, Eagles fly!

Don't forget to track your picks as the tourney progresses in our Million Dollar Bracket Challenge for a shot at winning the big money!

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