NCAA Bracket 2012: Breaking Down Biggest Upsets of Midwest Region

The Midwest region in this year’s bracket is ripe with early round upsets.

While I do believe that No. 1 seeded North Carolina will be playing No. 2 Kansas in the Elite Eight with the Tar Heels advancing to the Final Four, there are going to be multiple big-time upsets in the Round of 64 that will turn your bracket upside down.

No. 14 Belmont over No. 3 Georgetown

The Hoyas lost in this same position in 2010 and are ripe for the taking once again.

Belmont shoots an outstanding 38 percent from three-point land as a team, led by Drew Hanlen who makes 48 percent of his. Overall, they are the seventh-best shooting team in the nation.

Another important tourney ingredient is turnovers and this bunch only commits one every 17.6 possessions. While the Hoyas defend the three effectively, they don’t take care of the ball as well and the Bruins have much more experience.

History is about to repeat itself for the Hoyas.

No. 13 Ohio over No. 4 Michigan

The Wolverines live and die by the three and the Bobcats are one of the top 15 defenses in the nation against it.

Bobcat guard DJ Cooper can not only score on the proficient Michigan guards, but he can minimize their impact as well. He is one of the top guards in the nation at creating turnovers.  

Toss in that Ohio led the MAC in offensive rebounding while Michigan is one of the worst in the nation in the category and we are going to watch a lot of bricks by the Wolverines and a lot of rebounds and opportunities for the Bobcats.

Upset city, baby…for the second time in three years for Ohio.

No. 11 North Carolina State over No. 6 San Diego State

The Wolfpack are playing their best basketball at the perfect time. CJ Leslie finally “gets it” and has become one of the biggest matchup nightmares in the tournament. He has shot 62 percent or better from the floor in his last five games and pulling in an average of 11 rebounds over that span.

As long as Leslie stays out of foul trouble, the defense can contain a poor shooting Aztec team that is awful in transition and on the offensive glass.

No. 10 Purdue over No. 7 Saint Mary’s

This is senior Robbie Hummel’s last stand and you can bet he isn’t going to let an over-seeded Gaels squad get in his way. He has been on an absolute tear of late and is one of the most feared players in the entire region.

As long as Matthew Dellavedova is held in check by the stingy Boiler Maker defense, this has the potential of a blowout.  

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