NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: The 10 Biggest Questions Facing Your Bracket
As a diehard sports fan, this is, without a doubt, my favorite time of the year.
The next three weeks are as exciting a time as any in the sports world for one simple reason. The NCAA Tournament consistently produces high drama on the nation's biggest stage.
It's the ultimate theater for college basketball fans, who, after four months, DESERVE (I'm looking at you college football powers that be) to witness a playoff that crowns a champion at the end. Only one team is left standing at the end, only one team wins their last game of the year, and it's decided ON THE COURT.
The "win or go home" format is what keeps the fans on the edge of their seats, creating an environment around the country now known to all of us as March Madness.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the 10 biggest questions facing your bracket...
8. George Mason vs 9. Villanova
1 of 10
Villanova enters the tournament on a five-game losing streak and the Wildcats have lost 10 of their last 15 games.
They are led by senior guard Corey Fisher, who averages 15.4 points per game.
On the other end of the spectrum, George Mason had won 16 straight games prior to losing to VCU in the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.
The Patriots are led by point guard Cam Long and his 15.3 points per game average.
And the winner is...George Mason
6. Xavier vs 11. Marquette
2 of 10
Xavier enters the tournament having won nine straight before falling to Dayton in the Atlantic Tournament, 68-67.
They are led by an incredible point guard in Tu Holloway who averages 20.2 points while playing over 38 minutes per contest.
The Golden Eagles of Marquette come in having won five of their last seven games. They beat West Virginia in the second round of the Big East Tournament before falling to Louisville 81-56.
They are led the dynamic duo of Jimmy Butler and Darius Johnson-Odom, who both average 16 points per game.
And the winner is...Xavier
8. Michigan vs 9. Tennessee
3 of 10
The Wolverines enter the tournament having won seven of their last 10 games. They beat Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament before falling to Ohio State in the semifinals, 68-61.
They are led by a pair of young guards in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Darius Morris, who combine to average 29 points per game.
The Volunteers come in having gone 3-3 over their past six games, including a win over Arkansas in the SEC Tournament before falling to Florida.
They are led by 6'7'' swingman Scotty Hopson Jr. and freshman forward Tobias Harris. The two combine to average over 32 points per game.
And the winner is...Michigan
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7. Temple vs 10. Penn St.
4 of 10
The Owls come in having won four of their last five games, losing to Richmond 58-54 in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
Temple is led by guard Ramone Moore who averages 14.9 points per game.
Penn St. is coming off their improbable run to the finals of the Big Ten Tournament where they were defeated by Ohio State 71-60.
They are led by one of the best guards in America in senior Talor Battle and his 20 points per game average.
And the winner is...Penn St.
8. UNLV vs 9. Illinois
5 of 10
The Runnin' Rebels enter the tournament having won six of their last seven games before falling to San Diego St. 74-72 in the Mountain West Tournament.
They are led by a trio of guards consisting of Tre'Von Willis, Chace Stanback and Oscar Bellfield. Those three combine to average over 37 points per game.
The underachieving Fighting Illini come in having lost four of their last six games, including a 60-55 loss to Michigan in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
They are led by senior point guard Demetri McCamey and his 14.8 points per game average.
And the winner is...UNLV
5. Vanderbilt vs 12. Richmond
6 of 10
The Commodores come in having gone 8-4 over their last 12, ending with a loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament, 77-66. They are led by guard John Jenkins with 19.5 points per game and forward Jeffery Taylor who averages 15.1 points per game.
The Spiders enter the tournament having won seven straight games en route to their first ever A10 conference title. They are led by forward Justin Harper with 17.8 points per game and guard Kevin Anderson with 16.3 points per game.
And the winner is...Richmond.
7. Texas A&M vs 10. Florida St.
7 of 10
The Aggies come in having won seven of their last 10 games before losing to Texas 70-58 in the Big 12 Tournament.
They are led by forward Khris Middleton and his 14.3 points per game average.
The Seminoles have won five of their last eight games before losing to Virginia Tech 52-51 in the ACC Tournament.
They were led by forward Chris Singleton before he suffered a foot injury in February and may or may not be available for the tournament. Not only is Singleton their leading scorer, he is the best defensive player in the ACC, possibly the entire country.
And the winner is...Texas A&M
8. Bulter vs 9. Old Dominion
8 of 10
Last year's Cinderella story, the Butler Bulldogs, enter the tournament playing their best basketball of the season on a nine game winning streak to go along with their third straight Horizon League Championship.
They are led by a couple of heroes from their 2010 run, forward Matt Howard with an average 16.7 points per game and guard Shelvin Mack who checks in with 15.2 on average.
The Old Dominion Monarchs come in with a nine game winning streak of their own, including a win over VCU for the Colonial Athletic Association championship.
ODU is led by forward by Frank Hassell who brings in 15 points per game and guard Kent Bazemore with 12.5 points per game.
And the winner is...Butler
5. Kansas St. vs 12. Utah St.
9 of 10
The Kansas St. Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in the country having won six of their last seven before being upset by Colorado in the Big 12 Tournament. Their six-game winning streak included wins over Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.
The Wildcats are led by guard Jacob Pullen and his 19.5 points per game.
The Utah St. Aggies won 30 games this season, including 25 of their last 26. They defeated Boise St. for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship 77-69.
The Aggies are led by forward Tai Wesley and his 14.7 points per game.
And the winner is...Kansas St.
7. UCLA vs 10. Michigan St.
10 of 10
The UCLA Bruins enter the tournament having won nine of their last 12 games. They were upset by Oregon in the Pac-10 Tournament 76-59.
The Bruins offer a very balanced attack led by Reeves Nelson, Malcolm Lee, Tyler Honeycutt and Joshua Smith who combine to average 50 points per game.
The Michigan State Spartans are probably this year's most disappointing team. Preseason ranked them No. 2 in the country, but the Spartans struggled to a 19-14 record, including 9-9 in the Big Ten.
They are led by one of the best point guards in the country in Kalin Lucas, who is now nursing a sprained ankle suffered in the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans will be counting on forward Draymond Green and guard Durrell Summers to regain the form they showed during last year's run to the Final Four.
And the winner is...UCLA
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