
NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: Top 10 Teams That Could Kill Your Bracket
Let's face it, nobody ever really has the guts to pick a team with a "teen" seed to make it through two rounds.
Everyone's brackets usually turn out pretty safe looking, with No. one and two seeds, and maybe some threes claiming the Final Four spots.
But, not so fast.
Here are ten teams that will bust your bracket this March.
George Mason Patriots
1 of 10
East Bracket, 8th seed: 26-6 (16-2 in CAA)
The George Mason Patriots have been there and done that when it comes to busting brackets.
They made themselves a household name with their Final Four run a few years ago, but can they do it again?
Making it to the semifinals might be a stretch, but there is no doubt they have the capability to pull off an upset.
If the Pats' get past Villanova, they will likely take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. If they upset Ohio State, which they very well could, brackets will bust.
George Mason was the outright CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) regular season champ, with a 16-2 record. Most people likely don't realize just how good and competitive the CAA has become.
George Mason is battle tested.
Georgia Bulldogs
2 of 10
East Bracket, 10th seed: 21-11 (9-7 in SEC East)
The selection committee let the Dawgs out, and this pack doesn't have any puppies.
Georgia starts four juniors and a senior, including third year All-SEC performer Trey Thompkins and emerging star Travis Leslie.
The Bulldogs lost a hand full of heartbreakers in 2010-11, but still managed a 9-7 conference record in one of the toughest (if not the toughest) single division in college basketball.
Georgia has had a nack for building big, comfy leads in big games, but has found ways to lose those leads.
If they can start holding onto leads, starting on Friday night against Washington, the basketball world better watch out.
Tennessee Volunteers
3 of 10
West Bracket, 9th seed: 19-14 (8-8 in SEC East)
Tennessee took a while to grow into their shoes this year, and also had to deal with the Bruce Pearl controversy, but still managed to do well in the rough and rugged SEC East.
Although their record and inconsistency might be a red flag, they boast one of the more overlooked superstars in college basketball—Scotty Hopson.
Hopson is a game changing player, and the Vol's have a young and emerging star named Tobias Harris, who could have a coming out party at any moment (if he hasn't already).
Tennessee has been there before, and has enough experience to do some serious damage in the tournament.
Cincinnati Bearcats
4 of 10
West Bracket, 6th Seed: 25-8 (11-7 in Big East)
The Bearcats finished seventh in their own conference this season, albeit that conference is the Big East.
In any other conference, they might have won it.
Proof of that statement might be the fact they started the year with fifteen straight wins.
Battling in the Big East definitely prepares you for the NCAA Tournament. In fact, it's probably harder.
If the 'Cats win their first round game they will take on an opponent they are familiar with—Connecticut.
If they beat Connecticut, they will face off against San Diego State, which isn't as battle tested as the Bearcats.
Things could get very interesting here.
Richmond Spiders
5 of 10
Southwest Bracket, 12th seed: 27-7 (13-3 in Atlantic 10)
Richmond finished in third place in the very underrated Atlantic 10 conference, two games behind Xavier and one game behind Temple.
The Spiders qualified for the tournament thanks to an automatic bid, as they won the conference tournament.
But, if this team was at the top of their conference before the tournament, they would likely be a much higher seed.
They share the ball very well, and have two guys in Justin Harper and Kevin Anderson who are lethal scorers.
Oh, and Richmond beat Purdue earlier this year.
Just a little bit of extra information for you.
Butler Bulldogs
6 of 10
Southeast Bracket, 8th seed: 23-9 (13-5 in Horizon League)
Butler wasn't as powerful as they were last season, but they still have Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack.
Both have been very good this year, and could help the Bulldogs through a few rounds, if not more, of the NCAA Tournament.
Butler opens against Old Dominion, another bracket buster team, and would likely face Pittsburgh after.
And hey, they went to the National Championship game last season.
Can we not expect at least a Final Four appearance from them?
Old Dominion Monarchs
7 of 10
Southeast Bracket, 9th seed: 27-6 (14-4 in CAA)
Old Dominion, flat out, cannot be overlooked.
They won the conference championship in a conference that's likely as good, if not better, as some major conferences.
They are on a huge winning streak, which many "experts" cite as an indicator people need to pay attention to when making their selection picks.
The Monarchs also beat Georgetown in their season opener, which proves they can play with the big boys.
Michigan State Spartans
8 of 10
Southeast Bracket, 10th Seed: 19-14 (9-9 in Big Ten)
Tom Izzo's club had a long and frustrating season, dropping numerous opportunities to gain quality wins, and struggling in conference play.
That makes the men in green very angry, and you don't want to see them when they're angry.
Draymond Green and Kalin Lucas are two talented players who could take this team over and lead them through a few rounds.
The Spartans open versus UCLA, and then would likely face Florida if they made the next round.
We wouldn't hand Florida that game if the match up came about, would we?
Gonzaga Bulldogs
9 of 10
Southeast Bracket, 11th seed: 24-9 (11-3 in WCC)
The 'Zags are back and primed to make a serious tourney march (no pun intended).
The Bulldogs tied Saint Mary's for the conference championship, and squeezed into the tournament.
However, they competed very well against good competition earlier this year, and they are also on a long winning streak.
Their statistical categories also might be the most impressive out of anyone on this list.
Gonzaga is 10th in the nation in field goal percentage, and also is 23rd in points per game. Their assists per game is 32nd, and their rebounding is 55th.
Those numbers say this team plays to win.
Belmont Bruins
10 of 10
Southeast Bracket, 13th seed: 30-4 (19-1 in A-Sun)
As a mid-major school, having 30 wins is mightily impressive.
Most smaller schools play a lot of pay-out games against much larger teams, and end up having significantly worse non-conference records than their in-conference records.
But, Belmont was able to hold strong in their non-conference games, and their only losses are against cross town rivals Vanderbilt and Lipscomb, and two losses to the Tennesee Volunteers (yes, they played them twice).
The Bruins absolutely dominated in the Atlantic Sun, and blew out North Florida in the conference tournament championship.
They have a lot of size, and work their offense inside-out very well. Ian Clark is a guy who could have a freak game and become a household name.
Especially if the Bruins beat Wisconsin.

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