March Madness 2012: 3 Mid-Majors Capable of Doing Serious Damage

The best part of filling out your bracket is predicting the big upsets.

Nothing is more satisfying than being the one guy in your pool that nails the 13-over-four upset.

It’s certainly not the easiest thing to do, which is why it’s so rewarding. Here are three teams that don’t reside in a power conference, but are capable of making you look like a genius.

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No. 6 San Diego State (26-7)

The Aztecs are in the tournament for the third straight year and possess the Mountain West Coach of the Year in Steve Fisher and Player of the Year in Jamaal Franklin.

Franklin is averaging 17.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and is the heart and soul in the locker room. If Franklin keeps up the way he is playing, there are few teams that can contain him.

The Aztecs made the Sweet 16 last year and are tournament tested. First up is No. 11 North Carolina State, a team that was lucky to sneak into the tournament. The Wolfpack are just happy to be here. Then it’s the Georgetown/Belmont winner, two teams that are very beatable.

Assuming Georgetown wins, I think the Aztecs take advantage of their speed advantage and shock the Hoyas.

Making the Sweet 16 for two years in a row is a distinct possibility.

No. 8 Creighton (28-5)

The Blue Jays have the seventh-best offense is the nation averaging an even 80 points a contest. They are the most efficient team in the country, drilling 50.9 percent of their field goals. This sharp-shooting bunch is deadly and any team that is lazy on the perimeter defensively is in huge trouble.

First up is a date with overrated No. 9 Alabama. The Crimson Tide hasn’t played strong basketball for a month and is slow defensively, which is a death-wish against Creighton. I expect them to blow ‘Bama out of the gym.

Unfortunately, they will likely have to play No. 1 seeded North Carolina in the Round of 32. While the Blue Jays can keep up with the Tar Heels offensively, they are no match on the defensive end of their floor.

That’s a game that could potentially reach 200 combined points, which would be insanely entertaining and a good thing for Creighton. The more points, the better shot they have of controlling the tempo and forcing North Carolina out of their comfort zone. 

Think twice before automatically placing Carolina in the Sweet 16 over Creighton. 

No. 13 Ohio University (27-7)

The Bobcats are back two years after shocking Georgetown in the first round in 2010 as a No. 14 seed. 

They are led by junior guard D.J. Cooper, who averaged 14.6 points and 5.7 assists during the regular season. His speed and shooting touch make him a bear to contain. He is a guy that’s capable of dropping 30.

Michigan is extremely reliant on the three-point shot and we all know the saying “live and die by the three.” The Wolverines tailed off at the end of the year while Ohio is playing its best ball of the season right now.

The ingredients are there for one of the biggest upsets of the first round. With another team that is reliant on the three in No. 5 Temple potentially waiting in the next round, the Bobcats have the potential to be one of the stories of the tournament. 

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