Bracket Busters

Every season there are teams that come out of no where to steal some of the lime light.  They are virtually unpredictable.  But, as we do here, we will attempt to do just that.  Below are 4 teams that could very well Bust some Brackets!

Also, we're having a little competition here on BTBSports.  Join our bracket group on ESPN.  Winner will get to post a topic of their own choosing to be featured on our site!  Click the link below to join.

http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/en/group?groupID=133574&entryID=2770024 

East Region - (10) West Virginia (19-13, 9-9)  Vegas Line:  +1 

Key Wins:  #9 G-town 74-62

Key Losses:  @ #7Baylor 81-83 OT, @ #4Syracuse 61-63, #23 Louisville 74-77,

@ #18Notre Dame 44-71, #10 Marquette 60-61

As you can see above, this team has played some of the country’s best teams (other than the Irish) to some close finishes.  If they win half of those close games vs. ranked opponents, we're talkin bout a team seeded probably around 6.  I still like the Mountaineers since they do have one of the best players in the nation in SR. Kevin Jones, who has this last chance to really get noticed and raise his draft stock.  WV has a top 50 RPI and sported the nations 18th toughest schedule in what I think is still the best conference in college basketball, that being the Big East.  Plus, Bob Huggins knows how to get it done when it counts most.  I think this year’s Gonzaga team is a little overrated and they are always a trendy pick.  But I'm takin West Virginia in a smaller upset.

Midwest Region - (14) Belmont (27-7, 16-2)  Vegas Line:  +4 

Close Calls:  L - @ #6Duke 76-77

This team is coming into this game HOT winning their last 14 games and 18 of their last 20 and can REALLY score the ball.  They're 4th in the nation in scoring average, 5th in assists, and 17th in FG%.  They have a couple of sharp shooters from deep in Drew Hanlen & Ian Clark, both over 40% from long distance.  As a team they always shoot well from the line, which comes in handy in close NCAA tournament games.  To me, deadly backcourts are what makes for deep tournament runs and that is why Marquette seems to be a popular trendy pick this season.  Look for Belmont to "race" by G-town (who has struggled as of late by losing 3 of their last 6) and into the round of 32 and face either NC State or SDSU, another win-able game.

-Clark-

South Region - (5) Wichita State (27-5, 16-2) Vegas Line
Key Wins: UNLV 89-70, @Creighton 89-68

Key Losses: Alabama* 60-70, Temple* 74-78(OT), Creighton 61-68

*Neutral Court

As a #5 seed you might not see this as much of a "Bracket Buster" but I believe that the Shockers are the best that the South has to offer for a team that could really make some noise. I do think that there are other teams that could pull a 1st round (now second round) upset but that is it. The Shockers are a team lead by 6 seniors and 5 juniors and that is a lot of NCAA experience to put out there. On top of that they are a Top 10 shooting team and a Top 25 defense. This is all of the main ingredients you need to make a successful run in the tourney (see Butler, VCU, Richmond, and George Mason). Look for the Shockers to start making noise in the 2nd (now 3rd) round and if Kentucky has to exhaust some energy to make it to the 2nd/3rd round this could a chance for Wichita State to "SHOCK" some people. 

West Region - (6) Murray State (30-1, 15-1) Vegas Line: 

Key Wins: @ #21 Memphis 76-72, Southern Miss* 90-81(2OT), Saint Mary's 65-51

Key Losses: Tenn. State 68-72

*Neutral Court

Again, as a #6 you wouldn't think that this team would be all that much of a "Bracket Buster" but when looking for a team to go deep in the tourney Murray State is it. I feel they have been under seeded and that beyond their fist game everyone seems to count them out. I even remember talks of if they should even make the tournament when they lost the game. With a record of 30-1 this team is no fluke and shouldn't be taken lightly. This team has veteran leadership (13 Jr and Sr) and is deadly from behind the arc (40.6%). They have a tendency to turn the ball over (14 per game) but that is why they call the 3 point shot "The Great Equalizer". Keep an eye out for the Racers to make a run.

SMITTY