Printable NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012: Conference Champs Poised for Early Exits

Winning a conference championship in college basketball doesn't mean what it used to. It is a nice feather in a team's cap, but it is in no way an indication of what is to come during the NCAA tournament. 

For mid-major programs winning a conference title means everything. It is their only way into the big dance. But teams in the big six conferences need not fret about a loss last week. 

Here are the major conference champions that should be very worried about an early tournament exit. 

Louisville Cardinals (No. 4 in West Region)

When the Cardinals are on top of their game, they are as dangerous as anyone in the country. They finally put everything together in the Big East tournament, but there are a few warning signs that should make you skittish about picking them. 

The biggest reason is that they can't shoot the ball. You can say what you want about stifling defenses in the Big East, but that still doesn't explain why they rank 225th in the country in shooting percentage. The offense relies on second-chance points to be effective. 

Lately, they have been consistent on defense. They get bodies moving all over the place, which keeps the opposition off balance, but if you get the Cardinals on their heels early, they will crumble. 

Florida State Seminoles (No. 3 in East Region)

Riding high after their first ACC tournament title, the Seminoles still face questions about just how good they really are. We know that they can play defense as well as anyone in the country, but will the offense rise to the occasion?

Considering the raw athleticism and length they have, especially with players like Michael Snaer and Bernard James, there is no reason they shouldn't be scoring 75 points per game. 

Since they lack the ability to hit three-point shots on a consistent basis, the offense is one-dimensional. 

When they get behind early, they are going to start throwing up shots without trying to set the offense up. That is what has burned them in the past and will continue to haunt them in the tournament. 

Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 5 in East Region)

A surprising SEC tournament has the Commodores thinking about making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007. 

That is not an outlandish goal, considering it is just two victories, but Harvard is not a pushover in the second round.

And even if they get past that game, Wisconsin's stifling defense or Montana's collection of sharpshooting guards and seven-foot stud Derek Selvig are going to give the Commodores' jump-shooting style problems. 

For your printable NCAA Bracket, click here

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