NCAA Tournament 2012: One Key to Every Underdog's Upset Bid

There are no sure things in the NCAA Tournament anymore. Every team remaining could go down as soon as next round.

Oftentimes, the lower-seeded team needs everything to go right in order to pull an upset. However, each team simply needs to focus on one factor in order to play itself into the Elite Eight.

No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Syracuse: Offensive Rebounding

It is no secret that Fab Melo was an important part of the defense for Syracuse. With the center out, it opens up the door for opponents to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.

Kansas State was able to stay in the game against the Orange due to 22 offensive rebounds, but could not capitalize with while shooting 31.3 percent from the floor. If Wisconsin can get turn those boards into points, they could come out on top.

No. 6 Cincinnati vs. No. 2 Ohio State: Muscle Up Front

There are numerous capable scorers on Ohio State, but Jared Sullinger is the key to the offense.

Yancy Gates of Cincinnati might be one of the few players in the country that has the strength to stop the big man up front and stop the rhythm of the Buckeyes.

No. 13 Ohio vs. No. 1 North Carolina: Make Stilman White Beat Them

Stilman White is the little-used backup for Kendall Marshall, but will be vital if the starter is unable to play with a fractured wrist.

Ohio needs to pressure White into making mistakes when he has the ball, and then double-team the big men up front when the ball goes into the post.

The Tar Heels still have loads of talent, but without Marshall we could see one of the biggest tournament upsets of all time.

No. 11 North Carolina State vs. No. 2 Kansas: Use Athleticism to Surround Thomas Robinson

Purdue was almost able to upset Kansas because the team controlled Robinson and forced him to be 2-12 from the floor.

North Carolina State is much more athletic than Purdue, so guys like Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie should be able to keep the Jayhawks' best player in check.

No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 1 Kentucky: Remember the Early-Season Magic

Indiana is one of only two teams to have beaten Kentucky this season, so it stands to reason that the Hoosiers can do it again.

With solid three-point shooting and winning the rebounding battle, Kentucky could be in trouble.

No. 10 Xavier vs. No. 3 Baylor: Keep Perry Jones III From Waking Up

Baylor has easily won its first two games in the tournament despite only nine combined points from its leading scorer.

Jones has a lot of talent, but is prone to disappearing at times. 

Brady Heslip is not going to carry the Bears throughout the tournament, so the rest of the team needs to step up or pack their bags.

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 1 Michigan State: Control the Pace

Peyton Siva has been playing as well as any point guard in the country over the past few weeks, and with that Louisville has not lost a game.

Michigan State has a great team defense, so the Cardinals need to push the ball on offense to get quick shots before the Spartans are able to set up.

Getting Draymond Green in foul trouble would help as well.

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 3 Marquette: Use Quickness To An Advantage

Florida cannot get in a battle up front with Marquette, or else it will be blown out of the water.

However, what the Gators lack in size they make up for with quickness. 

The Gators need to create easy shots for themselves by opening up the game and spreading the ball around.