NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: 7 Potential First-Round Upsets

It should come as no surprise, but the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship once again sets up to give its viewers plenty of first-round upsets. 

While 2011 won't be the first year you see a No. 16 seed knock off a No. 1, it's possible some big names in the tournament won't get past the first weekend. 

When picking your bracket, make sure you take a second look at some of these bracket-busting first-round games. 

Wisconsin vs. Belmont

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: (L-R) Jordan Taylor #11, Jon Leuer #30, Tim Jarmusz #24 and Josh Gasser #21 of the Wisconsin Badgers walk up court against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament

Frankly, any team that scores just 33 points in its first conference tournament game is open to be upset in the NCAA tournament. Sorry, Badger fans. That's just the plain truth—you can't win if you can't score in the tournament.

However, the upset bid extends further than just UW's scoring problems. 

Belmont, owner of 30 wins over the course of the season, is 11th in the nation in points per game (80.4) and has an offensive balance that could give Wisconsin plenty of problems. 

If the Badgers go cold against Belmont, the Bruins have all the tools necessary to send Wisconsin back to Madison with a first-round exit. 

Arizona vs. Memphis

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: (R-L) Derrick Williams #23 and Kevin Parrom #3 of the Arizona Wildcats react alongside teammates Lamont Jones #12 and Solomon Hill #44 while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pa

This pick is more about history than anything else. 

According to ESPN, eight teams over the past three years have been seeded fourth or fifth a season after not making the tournament. 

Of those eight teams, only Washington in 2009 escaped its first-round game.

This season, Arizona fits that same mold. While Memphis isn't the best candidate for an upset (six losses in Conference USA, fourth overall), it's hard to argue with history.

Xavier vs. Marquette

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 9: Dante Jackson #25 of the Xavier Musketeers celebrates after the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Cintas Center on December 9, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xavier defeated Butler 51-49. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Xavier is usually the one in the upset role come March, but Marquette has a chance to turn the tables on the Musketeers. 

After surviving the gauntlet schedule of the Big East, the Golden Eagles will certainly be battle-tested. The likes of Xavier won't be intimidating. 

Speaking of the Big East, Xavier's one venture into the conference this season was a 20-point blowout loss at the hands of Cincinnati. 

Jimmy Butler, Darius Johnson-Odom and the rest of the nation's 33rd-ranked shooting team (.468) will need to catch fire, but Marquette certainly could send Xavier home with a first-round exit. 

UCLA vs. Michigan State

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Joshua Smith #34 and Reeves Nelson #22 of the UCLA Bruins sit on the bench in the second half while taking on the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center

The No. 8 vs. No. 9 matchup is usually the most common upset pick, but the No. 7 vs. 10 is your best bet. 

According to ESPN, No. 10 seeds are 6-2 in the last two years, and Michigan State is arguably the best No. 10 seed in the tournament. 

The Spartans quartet of Kalin Lucas, Delvon Roe, Draymond Green and Durrell Summers could be among the best in the field, but they haven't played like it this season. 

Still, the possibility exists that the tournament-tested foursome will step up to the task of their first-round game against UCLA.

In fact, Michigan State could go a lot farther than just the second round if those four play up to their talent level.

BYU vs. Wofford

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars walks back on the court after a timeout during the team's 72-54 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Baske

Certainly, the loss of Brandon Davies will hurt BYU in the tournament.

His team-leading 6.2 rebounds are already being missed, and the Cougars have lost two of the five games they've played without him.

However, Davies isn't the only problem the Runnin' Jimmers will face. Wofford nearly upset Wisconsin in the first round last year, and the Terriers come into the tournament on an eight-game winning streak. 

Jimmer Fredette and his 28.5 points per game will need to carry the load for BYU, or Wofford will actually pull off the upset this season. 

Texas vs. Oakland

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Jai Lucas #10 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns react during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Sprint Center on March 12, 2011 in Kansas City

The inclusion of Texas on this list is more of a commentary on Oakland than a sending off of the Longhorns. 

In fact, Texas has the talent to win the entire tournament, and Jordan Hamilton is one of the more underrated players in the nation. 

However, don't discount Oakland. Led by 6'11" center Keith Benson (18.0 points, 10.1 rebounds), the Golden Grizzlies have the nation's second-best scoring offense. 

In addition, Oakland is in the top 20 nationally in rebounds (14th, 39/game), assists (17th, 16.4/game) and shooting percentage (second, .494 percent). 

Texas is a very good team in this tournament, but the Longhorns have a fight on their hands in Round 1. 

Kansas State vs. Utah State

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: The Kansas State Wildcats bench reacts in the final moments of their 87-75 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 10, 2011 in Ka

Kansas State came into the regular season as a top five, nationally ranked team, but the Wildcats failed to live up to those lofty expectations. 

At one point K-State was on the tournament bubble, but wins over Kansas, Texas and Missouri down the stretch showed that the Wildcats would be a tough out in March. 

However, Kansas State drew 30-win Utah State in the first round. The Aggies have lost just once since Dec. 7, and they probably deserved a higher seed than No. 12. 

Jacob Pullen (19.5 points/game) could see his highly successful college career come to an end in the Wildcats' opening game.