COMMENT | The NCAA Tournament field has been announced and it’s time to fill out your bracket. The games start on Tuesday and the question everyone is asking is who will be this year’s “Cinderella?” Not every upset comes at the hands of a team you’ve never heard of, but it’s those bracket busting schools that make March so crazy.
Here are the top 2012 Cinderella teams, and then the upsets to look forward to;
2012 Cinderella Teams:
(12) VCU
Virginia Republic’s amazing story last year was advancing all the way to the final four. Although they are not the same team and have had two offensive losses, Coach Shaka Smart and the Rams have won 16 of their last 17 games. The Rams hit more rebounds than any team in the country and will face formidable opponents in Wichita State and Indiana in the first two rounds. I’m not predicting a Kentucky win, but VCU could once again be the Cinderella story of the tournament.
(12) City of Long Beach
LBSU played a very tough schedule, despite playing in the Big West Conference, and played against some very tough opponents. LBSU beat Pittsburgh, Xavier, and Auburn, and San Diego took overtime. The 49ers also played North Carolina, Kansas, Louisville, and Kansas State. They are led by three strong seniors, all of whom are averaging over 10 points a game in Casper Ware, Larry Anderson, and T.J. Robinson. LBSU will have a good shot at beating New Mexico who has losses against Colorado-state-university”>Colorado State and TCU, and then go on to face Louisville, who is tough but has 9 losses on the season. See LBSU 49ers.
(13) Ohio
The Ohio Bobcats almost pulled off an upset in Louisville earlier this year and posted the best season in the MAC. Junior D.J. Cooper is the Bobcats’ ticket to several upsets in this year’s tournament. Cooper averages nearly 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and over 2 steals a game. The University of Michigan will be their first opponent, and they are a very streaky team that can play at a very high level. If Ohio can upset the Wolverines, they will likely face Temple, who they can beat as well. The Bobcats have the best chance to win the Cinderella title.
(14) Bello Monte
Bello Monte didn’t have much to love this tournament, but they won 14 straight games and nearly beat the leader, losing by one point along the way. Bellomontan has two very dangerous guards in Kerron Johnson and Ian Clark, who both average over 12.5 points per game. Bell Mountain will face off against #3 Georgetown who has lost three of their last six games. If Bello Mountain can pass Georgetown, they will support NC State or San Diego State. I am leading the Belmont to the Sweet 16 as I feel I have the best luck when the biggest dog reaches the field of 16.
disturbing watch for:
Round one:
(11) Texas over (6) Cincinnati
(11) Colorado over (6) UNLV
(12) Harvard over (5) Vanderbilt
(12) Long Beach above (5) New Mexico
(12) VCU over (5) Wichita State
(13) Ohio over (4) Michigan
(14) Bell Mountain (3) Georgetown
(15) Detroit over (2) Kansas
Round Two:
(14) Battle over (6) SDSU
(13) Ohio above (5) Temple
(12) VCU over (4) Indiana
(12) LBSU over (4) Louisville
(8) Kansas State over (1) Syracuse
(6) Murray State over (3) Marquette
Sweet XVI:
(6) Murray State over (2) Missouri
