Bracket Picks 2012: VCU and Trendy Round-of-64 Upsets to Avoid

It has become commonplace when filling out NCAA Tournament brackets recently for everyone to look for the next George Mason, Butler or VCU. That being an unheralded mid-major school that seemingly comes from out of nowhere to make noise in the big dance.

While there is likely to be one or two unexpected teams that will advance further than anyone thought, that doesn't mean that you should go hog wild in terms of picking upsets on your bracket. There are certainly going to be a few, but don't buy into the hype you hear as nearly every low seed is being touted as a possible Cinderella candidate.

Here is a printable bracket for your own personal use, as well as some analysis on three trendy upset picks that will ultimately fall flat in the round of 64.

VCU

It was just last season that the VCU Rams went on a magical run through the NCAA Tournament to the Final Four as a No. 12 seed. Coincidentally the Rams are a 12 seed again this season; however, the results won't be nearly the same.

VCU is still led by head coach Shaka Smart and swingman Bradford Burgess, but the Rams lost a lot of key components from last season. On top of that, VCU will have to contend with another determined mid-major school in the No. 5-seeded Wichita State Shockers.

Since the Shockers don't come from a power conference, there are questions about whether they can handle being such a high seed. The Butler Bulldogs went all the way to the National Championship Game as a No. 5 two seasons ago, so the pressure shouldn't get to Wichita State.

The Shockers are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nations thanks to center Garrett Stutz and point guard Joe Ragland, and play great team defense as well, so they won't be caught off guard by the Rams.

Davidson

Just a few short years ago, the Davidson Wildcats had an NCAA Tournament to remember as Stephen Curry led them to an upset over Georgetown in the round of 32 en route to an appearance in the Elite Eight.

Since then, things haven't gone so well, but the excitement is back with regards to Davidson basketball as the Wildcats earned a No. 13 seed in the tourney. They will take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals who became the surprise champions of the Big East last week.

Davidson is most definitely a team to be reckoned with as it upset Kansas earlier in the season and lost narrowly to Vanderbilt. The Wildcats have proven capable of hanging with some of the nation's better teams. Rick Pitino's Cardinals have often underachieved in the big dance as well, but they enter March Madness on a hot streak this season.

Louisville's deep and talented backcourt featuring Kyle Kuric, Peyton Siva and others will ultimately be too much for Davidson to handle.

South Dakota State

After a fantastic season in the Summit League, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will make their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season and they will do so as a 14 seed.

SDSU isn't a team to sleep on as they went 27-7 this year and have one of the most underrated players in the nation in Nate Wolters. Even so, the Jackrabbits will have a major challenge in front of them as they will have to face the No. 3-seeded Baylor Bears, who finished second in the Big 12 this season.

Baylor is a team that has had trouble living up to its potential over the past couple years.

The Bears inexplicably missed the NCAA Tournament last season, but they stormed out of the gates this year. While they managed to slow down as the season progressed, the Bears scored a big win over Kansas in the Big 12 semi-finals. Baylor tends to have some lapses on defenses, but with so many fantastic athletes such as Perry Jones III, Pierre Jackson, Quincy Acy and Quincy Miller, it's tough to see them bowing out early.