NCAA Bracket 2012 Predictions: Sleepers to Watch for in Second Round

March Madness is officially here, and it's time to take a peek at some sleepers to watch for in Round 2 of the NCAA tournament.

There are two more games left to decide the round of 64, and then the real fun begins.

Who will this year's bracket-busters be? Who will creep up out of nowhere to make a run at the National Championship?

California (12)

Cal has a tough assignment in tonight's game, facing South Florida.

The Bulls have some size in the middle an are a defensive-minded team. The Bears, on the other hand, are a well-oiled offense that features four players who score in the double-digits.

I'm expecting Cal to win this one, though, and they have the kind of talent to upset Temple in Round 2 and Michigan in Round 3.

Allen Crabbe and Jorge Gutierrez are the primary options on offense for the Bears, and I'm expecting them to go off in the tournament, giving Cal a fantastic chance at getting to the Sweet 16.

New Mexico State (14) 

This team intrigues me.

New Mexico State has a bunch of things going for them. They’re big, they’re quick, they can score in bunches, and maybe most importantly, they’re playing an Indiana team in the first round that got banged up in the Big 10 tournament.

Senior forward Wendell McKines leads New Mexico St. with 18.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Their 6'4" guard Christian Kabongo is an excellent facilitator and can score a little bit if he has to. Kabongo is averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

I see New Mexico State beating Indiana in the second round and then possibly beating either Wichita State or VCU in the third, taking them to the Sweet 16.

West Virginia (10)

Kevin Jones is a baller. A senior, he leads the Mountaineers in deed and in spirit, scoring 20 points and pulling down 11 boards per contest. He is joined by fellow senior Daryll Bryant, who averages 17 points per game.

Jones and Bryant will need to get hot for the Mountaineers to succeed in the tournament, but they're more than capable of doing so. 

They will face Gonzaga in the second round, and I'm actually favoring them to win, provided their big men stay out of foul trouble.

West Virginia will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the first part of the tournament, and I'm looking forward to it.

Don't fall asleep on these sleepers.

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