NCAA Tournament 2013: Under-the-Radar Teams Best Suited to Win It All

With there being no clear-cut favorite to win the NCAA Tournament this March, amateur bracketologists will have no choice but to get creative.

While top seeds like Gonzaga and Indiana are sure to be penciled in as champions on most of America's brackets (click here to print your own), there are a handful of forgotten teams capable of getting hot at the right time this spring.

Here we'll take a closer look at a trio of under-the-radar teams best suited to win it all in 2013.

Butler Bulldogs

Butler may not look like the most attractive pick to win it all in 2013, but the Bulldogs are set to challenge the big boys this March.

Remember, this is a team with non-conference wins over Marquette, North Carolina, Indiana and Gonzaga. Clearly Butler has proven it can contend with, and even knock off, the best teams in America this season.

On a neutral court in the NCAA Tournament, Brad Stevens' teams are as dangerous as anyone. In 2010 and 2011 he led Butler to back-to-back Final Fours and National Championship Games

Another big reason to consider Butler this March is senior guard Rotnei Clarke, who is leading the Bulldogs with 16.7 points per game. Clarke, along with senior center Andrew Smith, will provide Butler with consistent offense and vital leadership as it looks to get back to the Final Four in 2013.

New Mexico Lobos

Steve Alford's New Mexico Lobos are flying under the radar coming into the NCAA Tournament, despite their No. 3 seed and having recently won the Mountain West Conference title.

While many will consider New Mexico as a threat for the Sweet 16, few will project them to go much farther than that. But this is a team that can legitimately contend for the national championship this spring. New Mexico has been the most consistent team in the Mountain West all year long and has crucial tournament experience. 

The Lobos nearly knocked off Louisville (which went on to make the Final Four) in the Round of 32 in last year's NCAA Tournament, falling 59-56.

New Mexico is led by junior guards Kendall Williams and Tony Snell, who both played significant minutes in the team's 2012 postseason run.

Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines were all the rage heading into February following their 20-1 start to the season. But Michigan has since been forgotten after going 6-6 over its last 12 games of the season.

Don't give up on John Beilein's squad just yet, though. Not only does Michigan feature a National Player of the Year candidate in sophomore guard Trey Burke, who is averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 assists per game this season, but the Wolverines boast three wins against the RPI Top 25 this season. That's more than Florida, Gonzaga and Syracuse.

Although the Wolverines' 12-6 Big Ten record and early exit from the conference tournament will scare off most college basketball fans, they have proven with wins over Kansas State, NC State, Big Ten Tournament champion Ohio State and Michigan State that they are a top threat for the crown this year.

Be sure to download the printable 2013 NCAA Tournament bracket before making your selections.

Make your picks for the 2013 NCAA Tournament here with the Bracket Challenge Game

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