March Madness 2013 Bracket Predictions: Underdogs That Will Score Upsets

The Madness is upon us as the 2013 NCAA tournament bracket has been set. In the days since, the world has erupted in a blend of excitement and despair as they attempt to properly build their brackets.

In order to understand that, we must answer questions from where it all starts—which underdogs will secure upsets in the Round of 64?

To be clear, not all teams seeded lower than another are necessarily underdogs. The true definition is in reference to teams that have yet to garner respect as high-caliber teams that could pull out a win over their opponent.

So who might we see secure the most shocking Round of 64 victories?

No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels over No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers

The Ole Miss Rebels are led by a legitimate college superstar in Marshall Henderson. They also have a double-double machine in Murphy Holloway whom always seems to rise up with the right play at the right time.

Even still, the SEC tournament champions have yet to reach their reasonable level of respect.

During the Round of 64, Ole Miss will be a No. 12 seed as they take on the No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers. Players and teams aside, this already has the makings of an upset.

The No. 5 versus No. 12 game is infamous for the underdog rising up and securing victory.

The Badgers are an excellent team that should have no issue proving their worth of a No. 5 seed. With that being said, the Rebels are the wrong team for Wisconsin to run into.

Henderson will continue his ascend to stardom with a breakout performance here.

No. 11 Belmont Bruins over No. 6 Arizona Wildcats

The general public continues to underestimate just how good the Arizona Wildcats have been. They're balanced, deep, athletic and have a Draymond Green-type star in Solomon Hill.

Unfortunately, they won't get the chance to prove that in the NCAA tournament. Not with the Belmont Bruins on the schedule.

Belmont is one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation. They're 15th in scoring offense, fourth in field-goal percentage and shoot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc as a team.

That includes guard Ian Clark, who is averaging 18.1 points on a slash line of .541/.463/.840.

Behind Clark and a slew of three-point marksmen, the Bruins will pull off a major upset as they down a Pac-12 power. Hill and Arizona's deep roster will strike back, but the Bruins are just too good with the three-ball.

Belmont will open a potentially glorious run with this victory.

No. 10 Colorado Buffaloes over No. 7 Illinois Fighting Illini

Normally, a No. 10 seed defeating a No. 7 seed would come as a minimal surprise. The fact of the matter is Brandon Paul's Big Ten Conference tournament heroics have Illinois appearing to be a breakout team in the making.

Unfortunately, that star will not be made.

Illinois struggles in every area that the Colorado Buffaloes thrive. For instance, Illinois ranks 305th in opponent rebounds allowed per game.

Led by double-double monster Andre Roberson, the Buffs average a monstrous 37.2 rebounds per game. On his own, Roberson brings down 11.3 boards per contest and 3.1 offensive rebounds.

Paired with breakout guard Spencer Dinwiddie, the Buffaloes have the dynamic duo and depth to secure this Round of 64 victory.

No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones over No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a team that could make a run to the Final Four if they get past No. 2 Ohio State. Unfortunately, they're going to have trouble getting past No. 10 Iowa State.

An upset few are predicting will transpire.

The Cyclones are one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation. They rank fourth in points per game, 14th in assists and have made the most three-point field goals of any team in the NCAA Division I.

Not only are those traits of a Cinderella, but they're complemented by a rank of 21st in terms of rebounding. The Cyclones are a legitimate bracket buster.

Chris Babb is their X-factor.

Babb is one of the nation's elite perimeter defenders. Matched up against Jerian Grant, Notre Dame's leading scorer, Babb will take out ND's greatest source of offense.

With that transpiring, Iowa State will move on.