NCAA Brackets 2013: Dangerous Teams Coming on Strong

Just because a team goes on a run before the NCAA tournament doesn't mean it is going to blow past everyone en route to the national championship.

But that doesn't mean such a team can't.

It's always important to keep track of squads that are doing damage headed into March Madness. In particular, it's important to note who they are beating along the way and if their style of play can translate into a long run through the tournament.

I've pinpointed three dangerous teams that should be legitimately feared in the 2013 NCAA tournament. Here's a look at all of them.

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All stats via ESPN.com and TeamRankings.com.

Wisconsin (No. 5 Seed, West)

Who can forget Wisconsin's spectacular victory over Indiana in the Big Ten tournament?

Wisconsin shot 51 percent on that fateful day for the Hoosiers and out-rebounded Indiana, which is not easy to do (Indiana ranks 11th in rebounding rate behind Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo).

After losing to Michigan State on March 7, the Badgers rattled off three straight wins (including a victory over Michigan) before falling to Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament (another dangerous team on a run).

More than anything, it's Bo Ryan's defense that makes Wisconsin a dangerous team. The Badgers held Michigan to 40 percent shooting, while Indiana shot just 38 percent against team.

That's not a fluke, either. The Badgers ranked 29th in the nation in opponents' field-goal percentage this season, as well as 12th in defensive efficiency.

I have Wisconsin defeating Ole Miss and Kansas State before falling to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16, but the Badgers do have the defense to potentially upset the Bulldogs.

Ohio State (No. 2 Seed, West)

I have Ohio State making it all the way to the national championship game—defeating Iona, Notre Dame, New Mexico, Gonzaga and Louisville in the process—before falling to Kansas this year.

Ohio State is a scary team right now. The Buckeyes won their last eight games en route to the Big Ten title, including victories over Michigan State (twice), Indiana and Wisconsin.

The Buckeyes do rank a respectable 30th in offensive efficiency this season (led by star Deshaun Thomas), but they will have to ultimately get it done on the defensive side of the ball to make a deep run in the tournament.

Of course, I could see the Buckeyes doing such a thing, given they ranked 17th in the nation in defensive efficiency this season. Moreover, their defensive efficiency over their last three games would have ranked fifth in the nation over the course of the 2012-2013 campaign.

The Spartans shot 46 percent from the floor this season. The Buckeyes held them to 40 percent shooting in the Big Ten tournament.

The Hoosiers shot 48.6 percent this season. The Buckeyes held them to 39.6 percent shooting on March 5.

Catch my drift?

Saint Louis (No. 4 Seed, Midwest)

A lot of people like Saint Louis headed into the round of 64. 

The Billikens have won 15 of their last 16 contests since losing to Rhode Island on Jan. 19. That includes beating both Butler and VCU...twice.

For Saint Louis, it's all about defense and getting to the free-throw line.

The Billikens rank 10th in defensive efficiency this season. Their defensive efficiency over their last three games would rank them first in the nation over the course of the 2012-2013 campaign.

A whopping 23.7 percent of the Billikens' points come at the free-throw line. That ranks 25th in the country. Their mark over their last three games (32.8 percent) would position them on top of the nation in that category over the course of the season. They shot 33 free throws in their 62-56 victory over VCU in the Atlantic 10 championship game. They shot a combined 49 free throws in their previous two matchups against VCU and Butler.

Saint Louis is the epitome of a team that wins ugly. Of course, when you continue to win ugly, it turns into a glorious run worthy of the nation's praise. This is a team that is incredibly easy to root for.

But just because of the Billikens' emphasis on defense and free throws, don't think they don't have any legitimate star power on offense. Junior forward Dwayne Evans is averaging 13.7 points on 54 percent shooting this season in his breakout campaign. He's also averaging a team-high 7.7 rebounds.

In the end, I have the Billikens defeating New Mexico State and Oklahoma State before meeting their match in Louisville in the Sweet 16.

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