NCAA Bracket 2012: Which Cinderellas Will Go Furthest

Every year, a Cinderella is made the darling of the tournament.

Gonzaga was the first team to give Cinderellas real hope, while Butler and VCU cemented Cinderellas as real threats by providing Final Four runs and consecutive second-place finishes. 

This year, we have several teams that can be the 2012 Cinderella.

The college basketball season has been so diverse with no clear-cut favorite to win the championship. Only two teams ranked in the top 15 won their conference tournaments, and many mid-majors have beaten teams from major conferences during the regular season.

Here are the Cinderellas of the tournament that should go the furthest. 

UNLV Runnin Rebels: Elite Eight

UNLV isn't the typical Cinderella in that they're almost a major program and used to be a national powerhouse.

But the reality is that UNLV is a mid-major team with a real shot at a Final Four run.

The Runnin' Rebels were ranked 20th last week and already knocked off North Carolina by 10 points earlier in the year.

UNLV averages over 76 points per game on offense and only gives up 65 on the defensive end.

I think UNLV will beat Colorado in the first round and put the upset on third-seeded Baylor in the second round.

Baylor struggles to shoot at times, and UNLV is long enough to contend with the them down low.

In the next round, I think UNLV can put up a fight against Duke in Atlanta and possibly make it into Elite Eight.

Long Beach State 49ers: Sweet 16

This one would be a no-brainer if it wasn't for the 49ers' opening matchup with New Mexico.

New Mexico is a very good team and could easily beat Long Beach State in Portland.

I do think Long Beach State will beat New Mexico in the second round and move on to play the winner of Louisville and Davidson in the third round.

The Louisville and Davidson game could be an upset as well, but I think Long Beach State's play could beat either team.

Long Beach State's run, I do think, will end in the Sweet 16 to top-seeded Michigan State.

I think the 49ers are tough enough to at least make it to the Round of 16. They're good enough inside, but even stronger on the outside game.

Casper Ware is one of the best point guards right now, and that's the key position that helps teams advance in the tournament.

Another reason why Long Beach State can make a run is due to their ability to get to the free-throw line.

The 49ers get to the line on average 24 times a game, and that cannot only get other teams in foul trouble, but they can score while the clock is stopped.

Mix that ability to get to the line, the guard play and the sharp rebounding, and Long Beach State has the recipe for a Cinderella.

Murray State Racers: Sweet 16

Murray State is an obvious choice for a Cinderella due to their 30-1 record and Ohio Valley Conference Championship.

The Racers played great all year and averaged 74 points per game while only giving up 61.

They've beaten big teams like Memphis, St. Mary's, and Southern Miss, and shoot 40 percent from behind the arc.

The Racers have lost only one game in the last 12 contest heading into the tournament, and if they can get over their turnovers, can be a sweet 16 team.

I think the Racers will get to Phoenix in the Sweet 16 for all those factors, plus playing in Louisville won't hurt them either.

Kentucky is a diehard basketball state and Murray State is located in the Bluegrass State. Having the Wildcats and Racers in the same building in rounds two and three will only help Murray State as they will have even more fans to help guide them.

Wichita State Shockers: 3rd Round

Many people had Wichita State as their Cinderella this year and a team that can advance deep in the tournament. I would have had them further, but they're draw was horrible for the Shockers.

Wichita State will have a tough matchup with fellow mid-major and Final Four team of last year  VCU.

Shaka Smart is a great coach and will have the Rams ready for Wichita State on Thursday. I think that game will be physical and high scoring and take a lot out of the Shockers.

If they win that game, they have to face upstart Indiana in the third round. I think that's where the Shockers run ends.

Some experts have Wichita State beating Indiana, but I don't think that can happen.

Indiana is too explosive and shoots too well for Wichita State to contend with.

I do think Wichita State with their three-point shooting and rebounding can advance them to the third round.

Montana Grizzlies: 3rd Round

Not many people will pick Montana, but I think they can upset Wisconsin in the second round of the tournament.

Montana can shoot the rock behind the arc and are build with a seven footer inside.

Wisconsin can defend well and leads the nation in total defense, but they can lack scoring. If it wasn't for a fluke game from a role player on the bench, Wisconsin would have had the worst performance of any team in the six major conference tournaments.

Montana is coming in riding a 14-game win streak and beat fellow tourney team Long Beach State this year.

Montana averages 70 points per game and gives up 61 points on the defensive end. They can bring pressure and pull the upset this weekend.