NCAA Bracket 2012: UConn and Bubble Teams with Potential to Make Deep Runs

Generally speaking, bubble teams are flawed squads that had issues over the course of the season that prevents them from being firmly in the NCAA tournament. With that said, though, just because a team is on the bubble, it doesn't mean that they aren't capable of making some noise in March.

A perfect example from last season is the VCU Rams. Many were outraged when the CAA representatives were given an at-large bid last season, but they silenced their critics by toppling giants like Kansas and Georgetown en route to the Final Four. Such a great Cinderella story isn't going to happen every year, but there is always some potential for it.

Here are three bubble teams who could pull a VCU and make a deep run this year.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Huskies weren't on the bubble by any means last season—they entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 3 seed. It's fair to say that No. 3 seeds aren't usually picked to win the title, but that is precisely what the Huskies did as they rode the wave of momentum created by winning the Big East tournament.

UConn didn't win the conference this season, but it did win a couple big games that should allow it to go dancing.

The Huskies had to adjust to life without Kemba Walker this season and were without head coach Jim Calhoun for a while as he dealt with back issues. They were able to come together recently, though, and won two crucial games against DePaul and West Virginia.

UConn has tons of talent in the backcourt with Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier, as well Andre Drummond down low. The Huskies know what it's like to win a title, so they have the components to make another run this season.

Drexel

If you're looking for parallels between a team this year and VCU from last year, then look no further than the Rams' CAA rivals in the Drexel Dragons.

The Dragons had one of the more incredible seasons in the nation as they won 19 consecutive games and 25 of 26 before succumbing to VCU in the conference title game. Despite their success, there are a lot of questions with regards to whether they should be in the tournament, just like VCU last year.

Critics will point to Drexel's RPI in the 60s, as well as their strength of schedule in the 200s as reasons why they shouldn't be in the tourney, but they obviously know how to win and have done so for the past few months.

With an overall record of 26-7 in a conference that has gotten multiple bids as of late, it would be robbery to leave the Dragons out. If they do make it, then they have the components to make some noise.

West Virginia

After losing to the UConn Huskies in the second round, the West Virginia Mountaineers are very much in danger of missing the NCAA tournament. If the committee leaves them out, though, it would be a big mistake.

The Mountaineers may have only gone 9-9 in the Big East and 19-13 overall, but they have a team that is built to succeed in the tournament. Not only does head coach Bob Huggins provide great leadership, but Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant form a fantastic one-two offensive punch.

Defense can be an issue for West Virginia, but it performed quite well against tournament-level teams this season. The Mountaineers knocked off the likes of Kansas State, Miami, Georgetown and Cincinnati.

They also took Baylor to overtime and played Syracuse, Marquette and Louisville down to the wire. West Virginia has the talent to compete with anyone, and if it makes the tournament, then it could surprise a lot of people.