NCAA Tournament 2012: Kansas and Other Powerhouse Teams in Big Trouble

Being a powerhouse in the NCAA tournament is almost always going to end badly. By the nature of the beast, only one team can come out on top, so 67 others will be wondering where everything fell apart for them. 

We saw what happened to some traditional powers, like Duke and Missouri, in the first weekend. Now it is time to see what the remaining dominant teams have to offer in the Sweet 16. 

Here is a look at the highest ranked teams that are in dire straits as they begin preparations for the Sweet 16. 

Kansas Jayhawks - No. 2 in Midwest Region

We have been waiting to see signs of vulnerability from the Jayhawks during this rebuilding season. It finally happened against Purdue in the Round of 32 on Sunday night. At this stage of the game, winning is all that matters. Style points are nice, but they mean nothing. 

They didn't shoot the ball well, but a strong defensive effort late saved the Jayhawks' season. The problem is, NC State is better and deeper than Purdue. 

If Kansas played the game it did against NC State instead of Purdue, that team would be flying home wondering what went wrong. Don't be surprised if the Jayhawks end up wondering that anyway.

North Carolina - No. 1 in Midwest Region

The Tar Heels catch a little bit of a break because they get to play the lowest remaining seed in the Ohio Bobcats.

However, Kendall Marshall's broken wrist makes things more interesting. We don't know exactly what Marshall's status for the rest of the tournament is, but even if the team is able to get past this game, they will have a difficult time making it further than the Elite 8 without their star point guard. 

Don't sleep on the Bobcats, though. They have the athletes to keep up with the Tar Heels if Marshall is not playing. 

Kentucky - No. 1 in South Region

Of all the teams on this list, Kentucky is the one I have the most confidence in. There aren't any nagging injuries, and they haven't had any problems in their first two tournament games. 

That being said, Indiana has the shooters to hang with the Wildcats. This is a rematch of one of the season's best games that the Hoosiers won on a three-pointer at the buzzer. 

Anthony Davis is going to be the key. He got in foul trouble early in the first matchup with Indiana, which limited him to just 23 minutes. If he stays on the floor for 30-35 minutes, the Wildcats will get by. If not, the Wildcats will be seeing red. 

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