2011 NCAA Tournament: Power Ranking the Top 12 Teams in the NCAA Tournament

After Ohio State and Duke won their conference tournaments and secured one seeds in the NCAA Tournament, the tournament field was announced.

Colorado and Virginia Tech were the big snubs today.  UAB and VCU were the talk of ESPN after they were permitted entry into the tournament, while other teams like St. Mary's and Alabama were also left out of the field.

Pittsburgh was probably the biggest surprise at the top of the bracket, picking up the one seed over Notre Dame. 

This is likely the most wide-open field of the past 10 years, so it is time to rank the top three seeds in each region.

12. Brigham Young Cougars

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars shoots a jump shot during the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Cen

With the suspension of Brandon Davies, BYU's title hopes were likely destroyed, as BYU was already thin at the four and five spots before his suspension.

It is highly unlikely that Jimmer Fredette can lead his team to a national championship.  While he may be the best pure shooter in the country, and likely the best scorer, it is tough for one player to carry his team all the way to the championship.

Stephen Curry led Davidson to the Elite Eight a few years back, and Jimmer Fredette will try do the same this year, but a championship run is out of reach for Jimmer.

11. Purdue Boilermakers

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 13: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers gets free for a dunk against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty

Purdue got destroyed by the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament, following a loss to Iowa in the regular-season finale.

The Boilermakers will be looking to rebound in the NCAA Tournament. 

Purdue exceeded expectations after losing Robbie Hummel prior to the season, as E'tauwn Moore and JaJuan Johnson led the Boilermakers on the offensive side of the ball.

But the Boilermakers will need more help from their supporting cast if they want to make a run deep into the Tournament.

Unfortunately, Purdue likely won't last past the Sweet 16, as they don't have the fire power to defeat Notre Dame or Kansas.

10. San Diego State Aztecs

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Kawhi Leonard #15 of the San Diego State Aztecs raises his arms in the last few seconds of the team's 72-54 victory over the Brigham Young University Cougars in the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basket

San Diego State had trouble defeating BYU in the first two meetings, but were finally able to break through in the Mountain West Championship game.

San Diego State did not defeat a top 25 team during the regular season but did defeat some quality opponents along the way, including Gonzaga and St. Mary's.

However, San Diego State picked up a tough draw.  A second-round matchup against Temple won't be easy, and if they find a way to win that, they will end up playing the best three seed in Connecticut.

San Diego State will not be able to win three or four games in a row against top 25 teams, simply because they don't have the experience playing against elite teams or playing deep in the NCAA Tournament.

9. Syracuse Orange

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Kris Joseph #32 of Syracuse Orange lays the ball up against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Syracuse finished the year strong after a four-game losing streak during the end of January.  Syracuse started the season strong and did not lose a game until Jan. 17.

Since their first loss, Syracuse had an up-and-down season in the Big East.  They have the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, but they don't have a go-to scorer if they find themselves in a drought.

Syracuse did not have a player average over 15 points per game during the season; however, they are very solid defensively and play a team-oriented offense.

If Syracuse can sneak by North Carolina and hope that Ohio State gets knocked off before the Elite Eight, they may have an outside shot at winning the title; however, it is not very likely.

8. Florida Gators

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12: Head coach Billy Donovan talks to Kenny Boynton #1 and Erving Walker #11 of the Florida Gators during their 77 to 66 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March

Florida finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the country, winning 11 of their last 13 games. 

They finished the regular season with only three losses in the SEC, three less than second-place Kentucky.

Florida, like Syracuse, does not have a go-to scorer and play more of a team-oriented offense. 

The SEC was not as strong this season as it has been in the past, but they did end up with four teams in the NCAA tournament. 

Florida will have a tough matchup in their Sweet 16 game against either BYU or St. John's.  St. John's would be a very scary matchup for Florida and could be a sleeper team to make a run to the Final Four.

Florida could make the Final Four if they get to the Elite Eight, as Pittsburgh is a beatable one seed.

7. Connecticut Huskies

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Donnell Beverly #2, Kemba Walker #15 and Charles Okwandu #35 of the Connecticut Huskies hold up the Championship trophy after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tourna

Connecticut enters the NCAA Tournament after an impressive run through the Big East Tournament.  Their trip to the Sweet 16 should be pretty easy for them, playing Bucknell and the winner of Cincinnati or Missouri.

Kemba Walker is one of the premier players in the country and has the ability to carry his team, whenever they need him.  Unfortunately, UConn will need to find a secondary scorer if they want to win the NCAA Tournament.

UConn was very up and down during the regular season; however, they have gotten hot at the right time.  The biggest problem for the Huskies will be matching up with Duke in the Elite Eight.

If UConn can get to the Final Four, they have a real shot to win the title.

6. North Carolina Tar Heels

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates their 92-87 win over the Clemson Tigers during overtime in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2011 i

North Carolina ended the season as the hottest team in the country.  The only team they have lost to since mid-January has been Duke. 

However, North Carolina came out very flat in all three games they played in the ACC Tournament.  They relied on big second-half comebacks to even have a shot at playing Duke. 

Harrison Barnes has become the star he was expected to be. After single-handedly defeating Clemson in the ACC semifinals, he proved that he can lead the team if they need him.

Overall, North Carolina has a lot of talent, but they are young and don't have any NCAA Tournament experience. 

If North Carolina can come out and play like they did in their win over Duke, they will be a very tough team to beat and could earn themselves a matchup against overall No. 1 seed, Ohio State.

Like UConn, if North Carolina can reach the Final Four, anything can happen.

5. Pittsburgh Panthers

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Ashton Gibbs #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers brings the ball up court against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Squ

The Big East regular season champion, Pittsburgh, are one of the strongest, most physical teams in the country.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers tend to rely too much on Ashton Gibbs.  If opposing teams can shut down Gibbs, the Panthers will find it tough to advance in the tournament.

Pittsburgh has been here before, and their style of play has not converted well from the Big East to the NCAA Tournament style of play. 

NCAA Tournament games are usually faster paced and usually more offensive, rather than physical, defensive games. 

If Pittsburgh is able to slow down the pace and control the tempo, they will have a good chance of making a deep run in the Tournament.

However, Pittsburgh's physicality could be their biggest problem, as tournament games are often officiated much tighter than Big East games.

4. Duke Blue Devils

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils and players Kyle Singler #12, Nolan Smith #2, Mason Plumlee #5, Ryan Kelly #34 and Andre Dawkins #20 look on during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar He

Duke is the defending National Champion, and every team they play will be coming after them.  Duke has only defeated one team in the top 50 RPI since losing Kyrie Irving for the season.

Duke will rely heavily on the combination of Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler to help them repeat.

The key for Duke will be their front-line play. If Mason and Miles Plumlee, along with Brian Kelly, can maintain a high level of play defensively and on the boards, Duke will have a chance to repeat.

After winning the ACC Tournament, Duke will be a highly confident team heading into the Tournament, but will likely be facing a tough Texas team in the Sweet 16.

Duke could repeat as champions, but their road won't be as easy as it was last season.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Ben Hansbrough #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots a free throw against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison S

Notre Dame ended the Big East Tournament in disappointing fashion, blowing a big second-half lead to Louisville.

However, Notre Dame has the ability to beat any team in the country when they are on their game.  Ben Hansbrough must have picked up some of his brother's basketball abilities since his arrival at Notre Dame.

Hansbrough turned himself into one of the best players in the Big East and will be looking to carry his team deep into the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame is a veteran team, who have a lot of experience playing elite teams.  If Notre Dame can knock down their shots, they are a tough team to beat and have a good shot at winning a National Championship.

2. Kansas Jayhawks

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 2011 in Kansas City, M

Kansas has been a rock of consistency this season.  They seem to get better as the season goes on, and have a lot of different weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

The Morris brothers have been the dominant offensive players for Kansas and will look to continue that trend in the Tournament.

Kansas will need to step up their intensity on the defensive side of the ball if they want to win a National Championship, though.  They played a tough schedule this season and ended with only two losses, one to Texas and one to Kansas State.

Kansas is a serious threat to win the National Championship, and their biggest competition may be the two-seed in their region, Notre Dame.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 13: David Lighty (holding trophy) #23 and Jared Sullinger #0 (squating with tournament MVP trophy) of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate along with their teammates with the Big Ten CHampionship trophy after they won 71-60 against

After being the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season, the Buckeyes enter the NCAA Tournament as the top overall seed.

Ohio State has the ability to blow out any team they play in the Tournament, and are a solid offensive and defensive team.

Ohio State will have a tough road, as they have two other major conference tournament champions in their bracket, to go along with North Carolina.

However, Ohio State only lost two games this season and have been able to dominate games all year.

Ohio State has a solid blend of both youth in Jared Sullinger, and experience in William Buford, David Lighty and Jon Diebler.

If Ohio State can shoot the three well in the Tournament, they should make the Final Four and will likely come out as the 2011 National Champions.