March Madness 2012 Predictions: Upsets and Cinderellas to Kick off Madness

'Tis the season for college hoop heads to lose their collective minds. The NCAA tournament will have us going mad precisely because the field is ripe for upsets, underdogs and Cinderellas. 

We embark on the initial look at what looks to be an amazing collections of games that will keep us good and percolated for the next few weeks. 

There really is no better time to be a sports fan than March, and the fact that you can guarantee to shout from the top of your lungs from amazement is one reason why. 

Here are the upsets that we see happening in the first found of games, and yes, we refer to the second round as the first. Sorry, NCAA, I still consider Thursday as the true start of something great. 

1. No. 11 NC State over No. 6 San Diego State: 

This is so easy to call, we should be ashamed of calling it an upset. The Aztecs looked awful in their Mountain West Finals loss to New Mexico. 

That may be a bit harsh on things that are awful. The Aztecs couldn't finish on layups they needed to make a late run in that game, but that is hardly what has me scared for their chances. 

NC State is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. The Wolfpack beat Virginia and nearly pulled off another epic upset in the ACC Tournament final against North Carolina. 

2. No. 13 Montana over No. 4 Wisconsin: 

Montana comes in as a winner of 20 of its last 21 games. What troubles me in this game is Wisconsin's offense, which struggles to put points on the board. 

The Grizzlies no doubt have a defense that would make any team struggle, but this matchup has all the signs of an ugly mess that will give the underdog enough to upset. 

The fact that Montana controls the ball well has me giddy for the eventual stirring final moments of this game. 

3. No. 13 Ohio over No. 4 Michigan: 

Ohio defends the three very well, and we all know Michigan likes to bomb it from distance. Point guard D.J. Cooper knows what it takes to upset a behemoth like Michigan. 

Ohio plays great defense that can stifle the best of teams, and the Bobcats are tremendous in forcing turnovers. The Wolverines should beware of very tough Bobcats team. 

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