Best chance at an upset

As soon as I saw the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament bracket, I started trying to figure out which teams have the best chance of pulling off a first-round upset. I think there are several intriguing possibilities.

The first three games went according to plan, but things could change once we get to the last four games today.

First is the Advance (No. 5 seed) vs. Delta (No. 12) tilt. The Bobcats are an improved team this season. Delta has been sticking with some teams and could give the Hornets a test. I don't think we're likely to see an upset here because the Hornets have a little too much firepower.

The Central (No. 6) vs. Leopold (No. 11) matchup is another solid game. Central has looked good in the early going, which leads me to think the Tigers will roll past the Wildcats. But you can't count out a Shawn Kinder-coached team. I think Central has proven in the early going this season that it's better than a typical No. 6 seed.

I think the Oak Ridge (No. 7) vs. Bell City (No. 10) game has the potential to be the best of the first round. The Blue Jays will need to figure out how to stop Bell City's Skylor Blackler, the Cubs' 7-footer. The Blue Jays feature a pair of potent scorers in Garret Light and Brett Thomas. It will be interesting to see if Light and Thomas try to attack Blackler to get him into foul trouble. I think this game has the best potential for a first-round upset.

The final game of the opening round features Oran (No. 8) vs. Meadow Heights (No. 9). I think it's pretty much a pick-em game, so I wouldn't really count a Panthers victory as an upset. But if you're feeling strongly about it, I'll let you pick it as the biggest potential upset.

So register your biggest potential upset now before the later games get started. Who do you see as the most vulnerable better seed in the first round?