Printable NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket: Cinderella Teams Ready to Shine

The best part of the NCAA tournament are the Cinderella teams that come out of nowhere to upset the big name teams from major conferences. It is what makes March Madness, well, March Madness.

We grow to love these teams, even if they ruin our brackets, because the underdog rarely gets a chance to shine on a national stage like this. When they do, it makes us remember why the tournament is so special. 

There is at least one Cinderella every year. Here are the teams with the best chance to be this year's VCU or George Mason. 

Iona Gaels (No. 14 in West Region)

Iona got into the tournament based off its strong non-conference schedule and impressive performance in the regular season before an untimely exit in the MAAC tournament. 

While there might be some people screaming about the Gaels getting in, they will be silent after they defeat BYU in the first round, Marquette in the second round and Murray State in the Sweet 16. 

With offense at a premium, especially in the NCAA tournament, no team in college basketball can score like Iona. The Gaels will run a few teams out of the gym before the slipper eventually falls off. 

Still, a Sweet 16 appearance for a mid-major team that didn't win its conference tournament isn't too shabby.

New Mexico State (No. 13 in South Region)

The Aggies stormed through the Western Athletic Conference tournament to earn an automatic bid. Their first game will be against the inconsistent Indiana Hoosiers, who look like an entirely different team when they are away from the friendly confines of Assembly Hall. 

It is going to be an uptempo game, but as long as the Aggies play like they did in the conference tournament, they should have no problems. 

Following that game would be a matchup with Wichita State or VCU in the second round. It will be a true bracket-buster contest either way, but New Mexico State packs a punch more powerful than either of them. 

UNLV (No. 6 in South Region)

We have reached a point in college basketball where a No. 6 seed making the Elite 8 isn't that big of a deal. That's too bad, because UNLV is one of the most exciting teams to watch out for in this field. 

The Runnin' Rebels are always going to try outscoring opponents, but when they play solid defense it is difficult for anyone to keep up with them. 

They are in the perfect region to make a deep run. Colorado is a soft No. 11, only making it in because of it's Pac-12 tournament title.

No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Baylor have had their share of ups and downs, especially against athletic teams that can spread the floor. UNLV plays a wide-open offensive style that could frustrate the higher seeds in their bracket. 

It has been 21 years, but the Runnin' Rebels will finally get back to the Elite 8. 

For your printable NCAA Bracket, click here

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