NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket: Predicting Opening Round Games

Some out there may take issue with the NCAA Tournament's 68-team field, but it naturally adds more teams to the mix, which means you increase the chances of more Cinderellas.

Everybody likes a good Cinderella story. Here's a look at the opening round games and the teams hoping to create magic this year in March Madness.

South Region: Mississippi Valley State vs. Western Kentucky

Mississippi Valley State may have a far superior record than Western Kentucky this season, but that doesn't mean it's the superior team.

The Delta Devils may score more than Western Kentucky, but they also allow more points and if their three-point game is off, they struggle, as evidenced against Arkansas Pine-Bluff this season.

The Hilltoppers aren't the best offensive team, but they have the defense to slow the Delta Devils down. And after a coaching change, they closed out the season on a 10-4 run (they've won their last six games).

Don't let the 15-18 record fool you. Western Kentucky is the better team and will advance.

West Region: BYU vs. Iona

Iona was seen as a surprise selection by some, but the fact of the matter is this team can flat-out score.

The Gaels averaged 83.3 points this season, tops in the nation, and were first in assists and second in field goal percentage. They push the tempo and exact a fast-paced attack and try to get teams into a high-scoring game.

The problem with that sometimes is that the Gaels don't defend very well, either. They allowed 72.6 points per game this season, while allowing opponents to shoot 45 percent from the floor.

Nonetheless, BYU is no match for this high-octane offense. Yes, the Cougars averaged 78.2 points per game this season, but they like an inside-outside game with Brandon Davies and Noah Hartsock, and I see Iona disrupting their rhythm.

Midwest Region: Lamar vs. Vermont

Lamar is known as a poor defender of the three-ball.

In that regard, you would think a team in Vermont that shoots 34 percent from downtown could give the Cardinals trouble.

But Lamar has gone on a run since head coach Pat Knight blasted his seniors publicly in late February. The Cardinals finished off the season with six straight wins and leaders Mike James and Anthony Miles have been a big part of this. The two seniors combined to take 38 percent of Lamar's shots this season and the team's success lies in their effectiveness.

In the end, Vermont doesn't have a very good overall offense and they've been known to go on severe droughts. I don't like the Catamounts' chances.

Midwest Region: Cal vs. South Florida

At some point, South Florida's defensive approach to the game is going to be overshadowed by the fact that they simply aren't a very good offensive team. 

But I do like South Florida more than Cal.

Cal averages 71.7 points per game, 85th in the nation. That's not an elite offense by any means. South Florida has allowed just 56.9 points per game this season, and that's while playing some top teams. The Bulls beat Louisville on Feb. 29, 58-51.

And while South Florida has lost two of its last three games heading into the tournament, one of those losses was to No. 23 Notre Dame, 57-53. Cal, on the other hand, has lost three of its last four games, including to Stanford and Colorado twice.

I think the Bulls will get the best of the Golden Bears.

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