Sleeper Rankings for the 2015 NCAA Tournament

We're less than a week away from March, which means madness is just around the corner.

As we prepare for Selection Sunday and everything that comes after it, it's time to start pinpointing some of those solid but under-the-radar teams that could make waves during the Big Dance.

There are a lot of definitions of "sleeper team" out there, but for the sake of this list, we're focusing on teams who are currently ranked lower than No. 16 in the AP Top 25 (and therefore theoretically would be lower than a No. 4 seed) that I think have the best chance at making it to the second weekend of the tournament—or well beyond.

We're looking for the star players, great coaches and stellar teamwork that might break the hearts of some March favorites in just a few weeks.

It's not everything, but there's certainly a premium placed on recent results and big-time upsets when making this list.

Without further ado, here are the current sleeper rankings for the 2015 NCAA tournament.

8. Georgetown

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Stats: 18-8, second in Big East (10-5); unranked 

Why They're Here

The Georgetown Hoyas aren't solely a sleeper team because of their upset win over then-No. 4 Villanova last month, but if I'm being honest, they probably wouldn't have made this list without it.

In that stifling 20-point upset, the Hoyas looked like one of the best basketball teams in the county. Their potential has also been showcased with close games against Wisconsin and Kansas.

The Georgetown defense can be commanding, the perimeter shooting can be lethal, and freshman Josh Smith is a star in the making. If it all comes together in March, there's no reason why this team can't make the second weekend.

However, the Hoyas are at the bottom of these rankings because of their maddening inconsistency—they've lost three of their last seven games. A strong finish to the season would go a long way toward making Georgetown one of the most dangerous sleeper teams in the nation.

7. Oregon

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Stats: 20-8, third in Pac-12 (10-5); unranked

Why They're Here

OK, let's get this out of the way: The Oregon Ducks needs a strong finish to the season just to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. But if they get there? Oh boy, they could do some damage.

The Ducks looked to be in huge trouble in January after a 34-point loss to then-No. 6 Arizona and a one-point overtime victory over a struggling Arizona State team.

But in February, the Yellow and Green hit another gear. They've won six of seven this month (so far), including the signature win they needed to gain both confidence and attention: a 69-58 upset over No. 9 Utah.

The key for the Ducks is senior guard Joseph Young, who is averaging almost 20 points per game. Young is a brash, fearless and vocal leader on the court and off—he actually guaranteed to the press that the team would make the NCAA tournament even before the win over Utah. 

With Young leading the way, it's hard not to see the high-scoring and in-form Ducks making the second weekend in Young's final NCAA tournament.

6. Southern Methodist University

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Stats: 22-5; first in American (13-2); ranked No. 21

Why They're Here

The SMU Mustangs are on a roll. They have won 13 of their last 14 games and are firmly in control of the American conference.

It's been a tumultuous season off the court for SMU, which has had key players kept off the team for being academically ineligible, seen assistant coach Ulric Maligi take an indefinite leave of absence for "private matters" and received a notice of allegations from the NCAA, as reported by Jeff Davis of SI.com. 

But through it all, the team has just kept winning. The Mustangs are patient, unselfish, fundamentally strong and accurate—they are ranked 10th in the nation in field-goal percentage. That's why I think you'll see SMU make a run in March.

5. N.C. State

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Stats: 17-11, seventh in ACC (8-7); unranked

Why They're Here

The N.C. State Wolfpack probably have more head-scratching losses than other teams on this list—Wofford and Wake Forest, to name a couple. However, they've played the elite teams in the ACC tough all year long.

Last month, the Wolfpack upset Duke. They followed that up with road wins over Louisville and North Carolina in a span of 10 days this month. They also have pushed Virginia and Notre Dame to the brink. 

Some still consider N.C. State a bubble team, but a strong finish to the season should take care of that. 

And bubble team or not, nobody wants to face N.C. State in the tournament. It's experienced and fearless, and it lifts its game to match its competition. That's a second-weekend formula if I've ever heard one.

4. Michigan State

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Stats: 19-8, third in Big Ten (10-4); unranked

Why They're Here

The Michigan State Spartans struggled mightily at the start of the season and were in danger of not even making the tournament earlier this month.

But now, thanks to the play of veterans Branden Dawson, Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine, Erik Sargent of the Detroit Free Press reports that the team has turned a new leaf and is finally playing Spartans basketball:

"

The Spartans are now playing with a confidence and motor that wasn't there for the first three months of the season. There is consistency, and there's a new look to the team. Michigan State is representing what is right about college athletics—a group of veterans leaders coming together, solving an issue, and finding success.

"

Michigan State has won six of its last seven games and will be favored in all of its remaining games except for the matchup against No. 5 Wisconsin. 

Tom Izzo knows how to coach a team deep into the NCAA tournament, and this Spartans team is peaking at exactly the right time to do some damage as a sleeper team.

3. Baylor

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Stats: 20-7, fifth in Big 12 (8-6); ranked No. 19

Why They're Here

Most NCAA tournament games come down to the wire no matter what seeds the respective teams are, which means that offensive rebounding often makes (or breaks) the outcome. 

Well, the Baylor Bears are ranked fifth in the nation in offensive boards, which puts them in a pretty great spot. Considering the Bears are also a top-20 team in points allowed, it's easy to see why they're formidable.

The Bears have played a tough Big 12 schedule in 2015, and while there are certainly some games they'd like to have back, they're battle tested, which is always a great sign headed into March Madness. 

Wins over ranked conference rivals West Virginia, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Texas have all been particularly impressive, and the final four games of the season and the upcoming Big 12 tournament will provide thorough tests and determine exactly what Baylor is made of.

But no matter what, teams aren't going to want to see this gritty team in their bracket.

2. Arkansas

USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 23-5, second in SEC (12-3); ranked No. 18

Why They're Here

We're going to know a lot more about the Arkansas Razorbacks after they play Kentucky later this week, but even if the Razorbacks aren't able to pull off the ultimate upset and stop Kentucky's undefeated season, they're still going to be a threat in the tournament.

After all, Arkansas has won 10 of its last 11 games behind a high-powered offense to get to second place in the SEC.

But coach Mike Anderson knows that his team still has a lot of room to improve, per Eric W. Bolin of the Arkansas News Bureau:

"

I think for periods of time that we can continue to play better and not have the lapses on defense. We have runs going on teams where we have an opportunity to really put them away, to kind of really deliver that knockout punch as a breaking point in a game as the way we play. We have got to take advantage of that.

"

As the highest ranked team on this list according to the AP, Arkansas has the chance to become the most high-profile sleeper on this list. (Or, if it beats Kentucky, it won't be a sleeper at all.) But the Razorbacks are not at No. 1 on this list because of their lack of marquee wins in the lackluster SEC.

1. West Virginia

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Stats: 22-6, third in Big 12 (10-5); ranked No. 20

Why They're Here

Everything seems to be clicking for the West Virginia Mountaineers at the right time.

In the last week, the Mountaineers have upset No. 8 Kansas and defeated No. 22 Oklahoma State and Texas. They're a high-scoring, ruthless team that leads the nation in steals.

"Bob Huggins' decision to use his bench to the max has resulted in a relentless pressing attack which has returned West Virginia to relevance," Jon Rothstein wrote for CBS Sports. "This team isn't overly skilled, but reflects Huggins' demeanor; it's an absolute nuisance for 40 minutes."

Aggressive, explosive and deep teams tend to do well in the NCAA tournament, and West Virginia is all of those things and more. That's why it tops our list of sleeper teams.

All stats are current as of February 24.