NCAA Tournament 2012 Predictions: What Experts Say About the Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana has the distinction of being the only team this season to beat a team ranked No. 1 (Kentucky) and No. 2 (Ohio State). Led by freshman phenom Cody Zeller, the Hoosiers finished the year 25-8 and ranked 17th in the nation.

But how will they fare in the NCAA tournament?

Let's take a look at what some experts think about the Hoosiers' chances.

According to Andy Katz of ESPN, the Hoosiers might be in trouble:

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Indiana has arrived under Tom Crean. It looked dicey at times, but the Hoosiers had the best win of the nonconference by beating Kentucky at home. But the Hoosiers didn't get an easy draw. Indiana has to go west to Portland to play a dangerous New Mexico State in the second round [the Hoosiers' first game]. The Aggies have the athleticism to run past the Hoosiers and the absence of Verdell Jones hurts [Indiana's] depth.

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Remember, traveling to Portland could be a big deal—Indiana's three biggest wins this year (Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan State) all came at home.

Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated would like to remind you that Indiana doesn't exactly have tournament experience:

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Number To Ponder: 0

The current players on Indiana's roster have combined to play zero NCAA tournament games. Considering the school's basketball history, that's pretty amazing. But that's how badly an NCAA scandal -- in this case, Kelvin Sampson's happy dialing fingers -- can damage a program. Tom Crean has the Hoosiers back where they belong.

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It's unbelievable to think that a program like Indiana could field a team with no tournament experience.

ESPN's Joe Lunardi, King of the Brackets, doesn't think Indiana gets by New Mexico State:

Jay Bilas of ESPN breaks down Indiana's chances against New Mexico State:

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The Aggies are athletic and versatile, and absolutely pound the offensive glass. Wendell McKines is a versatile 6-6 performer who is the top scorer and rebounder in the WAC. Indiana will need to be focused on the scouting report, and make sure to lock in on the opponent instead of the event. Indiana is better, but the Hoosiers have to play their best.

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Bilas sees Indiana beating New Mexico State but bowing out to Wichita State.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering what the expert writing this piece (cough) thinks about Indiana's chances, I say it loses to New Mexico State.

Sorry, Hoosiers fans.

Hit me up on Twitter—all of my tweets are Cinderella stories.