March Madness 2012: Wichita State and More Dangerous Mid-Major Powerhouses

It's always difficult to judge exactly how talented a mid-major team with a gaudy record is because they play so many games against inferior competition. That's why it's important to separate the contenders from the pretenders before filling out your bracket.

Let's examine three non-power conference squads that have a good chance to win at least a couple games in the NCAA Tournament.

Creighton Bluejays

Creighton has one of the nation's top offenses, mostly due to the dominance of Doug McDermott. The sophomore forward is averaging 23 points and eight rebounds while shooting an eye-popping 61 percent from the field.

He's a defender's nightmare. Not only can he get into the paint for easy buckets, but he can step out and knock down long-range jumpers as well. His ability to stretch the defenses and attract double teams helps his teammates get more open looks.

If McDermott's supporting cast, which is led by Antoine Young and Gregory Echenique, are able to give him enough help, the Bluejays will be a tough out.

Wichita State Shockers

Don't worry about the Shockers' early exit in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. They are still one of the best mid-major teams in the nation. Their tremendous depth will allow them to make some noise in the Big Dance.

Garrett Stutz and Joe Ragland give Wichita State an ideal inside-outside combination. Both guys are shooting better than 55 percent from the field. The Shockers have a total of six guys at eight points per game or better, so it's not simply a two-man band, either.

What will make Wichita State a tough matchup for any opponent, regardless of conference, is its balance. The Shockers are solid both offensively and defensively, which isn't usually to case for mid-majors.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga was one of the first mid-major programs to prove it's possible to hang with the big boys every single season instead of being a flash in the pan. The Bulldogs are a threat once again this year after a 25-6 season.

They have four players averaging at least 10 points and three of them are shooting better than 49 percent from the field. When you can get that type of efficiency from so many different options, it becomes really difficult for a defense to keep a team down.

As long as the Bulldogs can keep their turnovers issues in check, they're a solid sleeper pick. Pick them with confidence in the early rounds.