NCAA Bracket 2012 Predictions: High Seeds Guaranteed to Bow Out in 1st Round

One of the most exciting parts about the NCAA tournament is that it feels like essentially any team is capable of beating another.

While a No. 16 hasn't beaten a No. 1 (yet), high seeds get knocked out in the first round every season. Because of that, everyone is looking for the hot underdog to advance in their brackets.

While some people tend to go crazy with picking upsets, there are certainly going to be a decent amount, so you're cheating yourself if you don't at least target a few. Picking big upsets in the first round isn't for the faint of heart, but it can help you win if done correctly.

Here are three highly seeded teams that are guaranteed to be shocked in the first round.

Georgetown

The Georgetown Hoyas had an extremely strong season as they finished 23-8 overall and went 12-6 in the Big East, earning them a No. 3 seed. That said, the Hoyas have made a habit of getting eliminated by smaller schools early in the NCAA tournament. In fact, in their past three forays into March Madness, Georgetown has been ousted by VCU, Ohio and Davidson in either the first or second round.

With that in mind, the Hoyas are sure to get all they can handle in the first round against the 14th-seeded Belmont Bruins. Belmont dominated the Atlantic Sun this season with a 16-2 conference record and is one of the more dangerous teams that few have heard of.

The Bruins are fourth in the nation in scoring, though, and lost by just one point against Duke to open the season. The Bruins are also second in the nation in three pointers made, so if they get hot, then the Hoyas are toast.

Baylor

It is certainly fair to say that the Baylor Bears are one of the most talented and athletic teams in college basketball. The fact that they went 12-6 in the Big 12 this season reflects that, but they also tend to play quite inconsistently. Thanks to players like Perry Jones III and Pierre Jackson, the Bears have the ability to run any team out of the building on any given night, but they are too difficult to trust in your bracket.

The No. 3-seeded Bears will have to contend with the 14th-seeded South Dakota State Jackrabbits out of the Summit League. SDSU is obviously an unheralded squad, but it has enough fire power to contend with Baylor. The Jackrabbits have one of the nation's best players that nobody knows about in Nate Wolters, who averages 21 points per game.

South Dakota State plays a technically-sound brand of basketball that is sure to give Baylor issues. The Bears tend to be undisciplined on defense much of the time, and that figures to cost them in the first round.

UNLV

The UNLV Rebels may not be considered an elite team as they have a No. 6 seed in this year's tournament, but they are a name school in terms of basketball and hold a win over North Carolina this season. Because of that, some may be inclined to advance them a long way in their bracket. That would be a wrong move, however, as they will have to contend with the No. 11 Colorado Buffaloes.

If not for a magical run through the Pac-12 tournament, Colorado wouldn't even be in the big dance. The Buffaloes are battle tested, however, as every night was a tough one in the Pac-12. Andre Roberson is capable of being a dominant presence in the paint for Colorado, and the Rebels may not have a player capable of matching up with his athleticism.

The Buffaloes may be underdogs, but they are a hot, power-conference team that should be able to get the job done.