Sweet 16 2012: 5 Upsets We Desperately Want to See

Who doesn't like an upset? It's what makes March so epically insane, especially when it's top seed that falls to some unexpected Cinderella squad.

The Sweet Sixteen is when the true competitors for the National Title emerge, making it the ideal place for teams to show off how good they really are. The matchups laid out for us over the course of the next two days are some of the best we've seen in the past couple years, making it truly a time not to miss out on.

Here at B/R, we almost always like to see the underdog pull off the signature win. This Sweet Sixteen, we take a look at five upsets that we desperately want see become a reality.  

Midwest: (13) Ohio over (1) UNC

This postseason, there is no doubt who the wildcard squad has been. Making a prolific run out of the Mid-American Conference by surprisingly winning the league tournament, the Bobcats have continued their run by stunning (4) Michigan and edging out First Four opponent (12) USF.

Now Ohio faces their toughest challenge yet in their region's seemingly unstoppable top seed, North Carolina. Even if the Tar Heels take on the Bobcats without their essential point guard Kendall Marshall, Ohio will more than have their hands full.

This UNC squad is easily one of the most versatile teams in the country due to their quick forwards in Tyler Zeller and Harrison Barnes. If the Bobcats' guards, juniors DJ Cooper and Walter Offutt, can outplay the Tar Heels' backcourt, they might have a chance at the biggest upset of the round.

After (12) VCU made a push into the Final Four during last year's NCAA Tournament, who's to say that this scrappy 13 seed can't? Furthermore, this would be Ohio's chance to show that they truly are for real after two close games in the initial rounds of the Dance.   

East: (6) Cincinnati over (2) Ohio State

In a battle for southern Ohio, these two universities, who are just around 100 miles apart, fight it out for a spot in the Elite Eight. Coincidentally, both squads lost in their respective conference tournaments and are essentially searching for a shot to prove themselves. 

The Buckeyes dominated in the Big Ten most of this season under the guise of head coach Thad Matta and power of superstar sophomore forward Jared Sullinger. Their run in the tournament so far has included taking apart (15) Loyola-Maryland and decisively eliminating (7) Gonzaga. As of now, they're looking better than ever.

This Cincinnati squad has, on the other hand, been playing comeback all year. A rough time in regular season conference play set them back, but a solid push in the Big East Tournament, including wins over Georgetown and Syracuse, has allowed the Bearcats to emerge as one of the hottest squads in the Dance.

A close victory over a strong (11) Texas squad followed by a rampage over (3) Florida State gives the impression that this squad is a big-time giant-killer, especially when put into pressure situations. Led by senior center Yancy Gates and sophomore guard Sean Kilpatrick, this Cincinnati squad is gunning to make their power known over their in-state opponents.

Most everybody will be rooting for them not because of who they are, but rather because of who their adversaries are.    

South: (10) Xavier over (3) Baylor

While the Musketeers didn't have too great of a year in the Atlantic-10, placing third in the regular season and falling in the conference tournament title to St. Bonaventure, their run in the Dance has been most impressive. After taking down what has been a better-than-decent (7) Notre Dame squad and ending (15) Lehigh's tournament dreams, expect one heck of a battle from Xavier.

Their underperformance during the regular season had many questioning whether or not Xavier even belonged, but who can hate on this little university that has nothing other than basketball to look forward to?

Making their way out of the Big 12, Baylor has done better this season than most anyone predicted. Under head coach Scott Drew, this once-crumbling program has emerged as one of the premiere places to play ball. Losing in their conference tournament title game to Mizzou, the Bears' Big Dance resume is less than impressive.

Only defeating (14) South Dakota State by eight and then pulling away from upset-minded (11) Colorado in the final minutes, Baylor hasn't proven to me they're in this thing all the way. In particular, superstar sophomore forward Perry Jones III has looked off the entire Dance, leaving most of the weight on guards Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip.

If Jones III can't recover, this win for Xavier is more than possible. With big-time guards in senior Tu Holloway and junior Mark Lyons matching up well against any of the Bears' backcourt, senior center Kenny Frease will dominate inside the paint.

In all likelihood, the Musketeers will be the favorite in many people's minds. Their underrated play and powerful basketball program has many a fan pulling for Xavier. 

Midwest: (11) North Carolina State over (2) Kansas

A very unstable squad all year, the Wolfpack squeezed into the tournament off the bubble. Their strong play in the ACC Tournament, where they lost to UNC in the semifinals, gave them just enough push to establish a decent seed in the Dance. 

What has been most impressive out of NC State, however, is most certainly their NCAA Tourney victories over (6) San Diego State and (3) Georgetown. Fantastic play by their guards, sophomores CJ Leslie and Lorenzo Brown, has led to some big-time wins in tight matchups.

Unfortunately, a legendary program in Kansas will be taking them on in what should turn out to be one of the better games in the Dance. After watching fellow Big 12 and two seed Missouri fall in the first round, the Jayhawks went to work on (15) Detroit. Directly following that, however, a tough (10) Purdue squad gave this powerful team a run for its money in a unforgettable finish.

If the Wolfpack are to be successful against one of the most solid squads in the country, their biggest weakness will have to become a wall of defense. When KU has some of the most talented players in the nation in forwards Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson, NC State will be forced to play big-time defense in the paint with junior forward Richard Howell.

The Jayhawks will be expecting some huge plays by the Wolfpack after their scare against Purdue, so North Carolina State will have to be extra-impressive. Who doesn't want to see the big boys fall though, am I right?  

East: (4) Wisconsin over (1) Syracuse

Following what has been one of their best years ever, Syracuse is gunning to prove their worth following the loss of superstar center Fab Melo. Their extremely close victory over (16) UNC-Asheville, which was basically given to the Orange by a bad call, has had fans doubting them for the entire Dance. A much stronger performance to crush (8) Kansas State still has many a critic hating on 'Cuse. 

Their opponent, Wisconsin, has been the exact opposite. In an extremely tough Big Ten this past season, the Badgers faced off multiple times against their conference's best in Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan. They've taken that toughness, however, to the Dance with a romping of (13) Montana and and brilliant victory over SEC Tournament champions (5) Vanderbilt. 

With sophomore phenomena Fab Melo out for the Orange, this is their chance to pull off a big-time upset. The Badgers match up well in the backcourt, with senior PG Jordan Taylor leading the pack, but their most important "X" factor is by far junior forward Ryan Evans.

If Evans can take advantage of the hole in Syracuse's zone, this game may be well within the reach of Bo Ryan's squad. I have a feeling that this matchup will come down to a buzzer beater, but don't be surprised when most everyone outside of the northeast are pulling for Wisconsin to come out the victors.