NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket: 4 Big Surprises to Watch for in Big Dance

Every year, some teams go out in the NCAA Tournament and make Bracketologists everywhere look like fools.

This year's bracket will be no different, as these teams are going to make people everywhere scratch their heads, wondering if they're going to wake up.  

Bad Surprise: Kansas

I have not seen the kind of consistency from the Jayhawks to give me any confidence that they'll have a long stay. That loss to a sliding Baylor team the the Big XII Tournament has me really concerned with Bill Self's group. 

Ultimately, the problem is that while the Jayhawks don't have a real weakness, they also lack a strength that they can really go to and exploit in a tough game. 

My other concern is getting scoring from people other than Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. The Jayhawks don't have another player averaging more than 10 points a game. If either of them get limited or if Robinson finds foul trouble, Kansas is in a world of trouble. 

Ultimately, that is going to lead to the Jayhawks not staying anywhere near as long as No. 2 seed should stay. 

Good Surprise: St. Mary's

The Gaels are this decade's Gonzaga, a mid-major that makes runs so consistently that they really aren't Cinderella's. As a matter of fact, they are looking at a likely second round matchup with the Jayhawks, which works well for St. Mary's. 

This is precisely the kind of team that should terrify fans of Kansas. St. Mary's is just like them, not bad at anything and good at everything.

What will work for the Gaels is an attacking style that will get Robinson into that foul trouble. That is where the Gaels will win. Their style of play is so simple, yet effective. 

They'll make a nice, long run in the tournament, getting stopped just short of the Final Four. We'll be seeing a lot of this No. 7 seed. 

Bad Surprise: Syracuse

I have three of the four No. 1 seeds making it to at least their regional final. Syracuse is the exception. 

They lack the really reliable scorer that is needed to make long runs in the tournament. With the possible exception of their first-round opponent, UNC-Asheville, every opponent is going to make a run or two in a game. That is the nature of the tournament, teams are good. 

Syracuse doesn't have the reliable scorer to limit those runs or to really lead the Orange to a dominant run of their own. Ultimately, that will be the downfall of this team. 

They'll make it out of the opening weekend, but they won't go beyond that. 

Good Surprise: Vanderbilt

The Commodores have a 1-2 scoring punch in John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor that is as good as nearly any in the country. They aren't reliant on perimeter players, or paint players, as the Commodores have plenty of balance. 

That is the way to describe a team that will be in the tournament for a while. Actually, it's the way to describe a Final Four team, which is precisely what Vandy will be. 

They are led by veterans on all ends of the court. The win against Kentucky was proof that this team can play with and beat any in the country. They will come out of the East Region and make a trip to Atlanta for the Final Four. 

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