One upset that Texas Tech fans want to see in the South Region

March Madness. The term is synonymous with upsets. That's why everyone tunes into the NCAA Tournament, especially those with no real dog in the fight or those who haven't watched one college basketball game all year. Of course, Texas Tech fans do have a rooting interest in this year's tournament and that's why there is one first-round upset that Red Raiders across the land are hoping to see.

Texas Tech fans want to see Oakland take out Kentucky

Thursday at 6:10 PM (CST), the No. 14 seed Oakland Golden Grizzlies will take on No. 3 seed Kentucky in the game that precedes the Red Raiders' matchup with No. 11 seed NC State. This is a game where many people think an upset could happen and that would please people across Raiderland.

In all, only 22 No. 14 seeds have taken down a No. 3 seed. The last time it happened was in 2021 when Abilene Christian beat Texas 53-52.

Of course, that game is infamous for Texas Tech fans. That's because afterward, Texas' head coach, Shaka Smart, knowing his job was in danger after years of struggling in March with the Horns, would jump ship to Marquette. That led to Texas hiring Chris Beard away from Tech thus ushering in the troublesome Mark Adams era.

This season, Oakland is a team that some think could give Kentucky fits and possibly even pull off the upset. That's because the Golden Grizzlies have a pair of stars that could take over any game.

It begins with Horizon League Player of the Year Trey Townsend. The 6-foot-6 swingman averages 16.9 points and 7.8 rebounds to lead his team in both categories.

Townsend can score at all three levels and get to the free-throw line as well. This year, he put up some impressive numbers against major conference teams. Against Ohio State, he posted 17 points and against Illinois, he had 19. Then, against Xavier, he went off for 28 points and seven rebounds in a two-point win. He also scored 17 against Michigan State.

Where Townsend might struggle, though, is against Kentucky's longer wing players. Either Adou Thiero or Justin Edwards will likely check him defensively and both have two inches of height on him.

Kentucky also can't sleep on senior Oakland guard Jack Gohlke. He averages 12.2 points per game with almost all of his field goals coming from beyond the 3-point arc. In fact, he averages 9.9 shots per game with 9.6 of those being 3-pointers. In total, he's attempted only eight two-point field goals all season.

Despite his incredibly high volume of 3-point shots, he's still hitting at about 37%. If he gets hot and Kentucky doesn't keep him under wraps, he could become one of those March legends who shoots a Cinderella past a blue-blood.

Of course, should Tech manage to get past NC State, the Red Raiders will tangle with the winner of the Kentucky vs. Oakland game. Thus, there is reason to tune into this intriguing matchup prior to the Red Raiders' game on Thursday night.

Kentucky is the prohibitive favorite and will be again if they make it to the second round regardless of if they face Tech or NC State. However, should Oakland pull off the stunner, it would open up a potentially easier path to the Sweet 16 for either the Red Raiders or Wolfpack. That's why everyone in Raiderland is pulling for the Golden Grizzlies to give us more madness this year.