How Belmont and 9 Other Mid-Major Programs Could Ruin Your NCAA Tournament Picks

It happens every year in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

A mid-major program catches fire and ruins everyone's bracket.

This is the reason why everyone calls the NCAA Tournament, "March Madness."

A year ago, both Butler and Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) made improbable runs in the tournament, with both teams reaching the Final Four.

Butler, who lost to Connecticut (UConn) in the finals, has played in the championship game the past two seasons. Coach Brad Stevens (above picture) is the game's best young coach and looks to lead an inexperienced team back to the NCAAs.

Already this season, we have seen several big-name programs lose to teams in the mid-major conferences.

Big East powerhouse Pitt, lost at home to Long Beach State (86-76) to snap a 58-game winning streak to non-conference opponents.

UCLA, a team that owns 11 national titles, was manhandled at home by Middle Tennessee State (86-66).

And Akron won at Mississippi State, currently ranked 17th, 68-58. 

Belmont almost delivered the biggest blow, as it almost took down perennial-power Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium in early November.

Parity in men's college basketball makes the NCAA tournament a hot ticket.

Look for more mid-major teams to take down more elite programs throughout the rest of the season.

In no particular order, here are 10 mid-majors that could make some noise in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

1. Belmont Bruins (Atlantic Sun)

The Belmont Bruins are a team that give opponents fits.

Belmont, from the Atlantic Sun Conference, was 30-5 last season and made the tournament. The Bruins were seeded 13th and faced the Big Ten-power Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers flexed their muscles and easily exposed the Bruins lack of size, out-rebounded them 29-17, and won 72-58.

Coming into this season, the Bruins returned three starters including eight players who played extensively last season. Junior guard Kerron Johnson (above photo) leads the team in scoring (15.1 ppg) and assists (6.0). Guards J.J. Mann and Ian Clark are also double-figure scorers (13.1 & 11.3 respectively).

The Bruins are a high-scoring team (85-ppg) and can shoot the basketball extremely well.

Their only weakness continues to be rebounding.

Athletic teams are also a problem. In a 97-81 loss to Memphis, the Bruins could not match up with the more-athletic Tigers.

Belmont almost pulled off the biggest shocker of the young season, as the Bruins lost a 77-76 squeaker to the Duke Blue Devils. Their biggest signature win was a double-overtime win (87-84) over a Middle Tennessee State team, that won at UCLA (86-66).

The Bruins (6-2) are no strangers to the tournament. In 2008, Belmont almost knocked off Duke as a 15th-seed (71-70).

Although Belmont has never been seeded higher than 13th, it can pull off an upset with the right matchup.

If the Bruins make this year's tournament, which they probably will, they could make life hard for someone if their shots are falling.

2. Harvard Crimson (Ivy League)

Do not be fooled by this group of Ivy Leaguers!

Academics will also come first, but this year's group of intellects can play some basketball.

Coach Tommy Amaker (above picture) has the Crimson (8-0) playing excellent ball early in the season. Harvard is currently ranked 25th and has wins over ACC-opponent Florida State (46-41) and a Central Florida team, that beat defending champion UConn (68-63).

Speaking of UConn, the Crimson will travel to Storrs tonight to face the Huskies. Although UConn is more talented, you will see a Harvard team that's capable of pulling off an upset come March.

Harvard returned all five starters. Three players score in double figures, and there is plenty of depth on the bench.

The Crimson have not been to the NCAA tournament since 1946. However, if they win their league, Harvard could give an undisciplined team a few problems.

3. Iona Gaels (Metro Atlantic)

If you like high-scoring offense, Iona is a team you will like.

The Gaels, led by forward Micheal Glover (above picture), lead the nation in scoring at 92 ppg. They also lead the NCAA in assists (22.6).

This is a team no one wants to face come March. Big 10-powerhouse Purdue came within a blink of losing to Iona (91-90). However, the Gaels easily handled Maryland (ACC) 89-63.

Iona (7-1) has surpassed the 100-point mark twice and came within two points of duplicating the feat against Niagara.

Glover, a 6'7" senior, is definitely NBA-worthy.

He leads Iona in scoring (19.0), rebounding (8.8) and field goal percentage (62.5%).

Senior point guard Scott Machado (15.9 ppg) leads the nation in assists (10.8). Lamont "Mo Mo" Jones has blended in nicely with the Gaels (15.1 ppg) after transferring from Pac-10 power Arizona. Jones was granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA to transfer so he could be near his sick grandmother which allowed Jones immediate eligibility, instead of having to sit out this season.

The Gaels missed the tournament a year ago by losing in the MAAC tournament final to underdog St. Peter. Iona has not been to the NCAAs since 2006. However, Iona made a run in the CollegeInsider.com tournament but lost to Santa Clara in the finals.

Iona has an experienced team and plenty of scorers to pull off a big upset in March.

4. Wichita State (Missouri Valley)

The Wichita State Shockers missed the NCAA tournament a year ago, but made up for it by winning the NIT championship over Alabama (66-57).

It was a shocker that the selection committee overlooked Wichita State. Last season the Shockers finished second in the always-tough Missouri Valley Conference, but a loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament (to eventual winner Indiana State), kept Wichita State out of the tournament. 

This season the Shockers will look to award their fans with an NCAA bid.

Already, Wichita State (6-2) has beaten UNLV (89-70). It was the same UNLV team that surprised then-No. 1 North Carolina (90-80), the week before.

The senior trio of: guards Toure' Murray (13.3 ppg), Joe Ragland (11.9 ppg); and 7'0" center Garrett Stutz (above picture), leads an experience Wichita State team that will battle it out with Missouri Valley-foe Creighton for the automatic bid.

Fans of the black-and-gold-clad Shockers expects nothing less of an NCAA bid.

Do not be shocked if the Shockers upset someone in the tournament; assuming they make it.

5. Creighton Blue Jays (Missouri Valley)

If Wichita State fails to deliver an upset in the tournament - than its conference nemesis - Creighton, is certainly capable of the feat.

The Blue Jays (7-0) are currently ranked 19th in the Associated Press top-25 poll, under head coach Greg McDermott (above picture).

Creighton's last visit to the NCAA tournament was in 2007, and the Blue Jays look to atone for last year's 19-14 record.

The coach's son (Dave) is the star here. McDermott, a 6'7" sophomore, leads the Blue Jays in both scoring (23.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.0). Guard Antoine Young (10.6 ppg) is the only other Creighton player scoring in double figures, but the Blue Jays are a deep team.

Creighton goes about 10-players deep. The Blue Jays are also a good-shooting team (52.6 %), and averages 87 points a game. They pass the ball well also (21.3 assists a game).

If the Blue Jays shots are falling, they can play with anyone.

The last time Creighton made it past the second round of the NCAA, was in 2002; however, if the Blue Jays make the tournament, they could make some noise.

6. Butler Bulldogs (Horizon League)

The Butler Bulldogs have lost in the national championship game the past two seasons. A third straight appearance will be a tough task for the Bulldogs.

Last night's 73-61 home loss to No. 8 Xavier left Butler with a 4-5 record. The Bulldogs are also 0-1 in the Horizon League after a recent overtime loss to Valparaiso (77-71).

Since 2006, Butler has won or shared first-place in the league's regular season; but, the Bulldogs will find their dominance in the conference tough this year; especially with a much-improved Cleveland State team.

Senior guard Ronald Nored (above picture) is one of the last remants remaining from Butler's back-to-back title losses. 

This is a very young Butler team, but if anyone can get the Bulldogs back to the NCAA tournament, it is their head coach: Brad Stevens.

Stevens, in his fifth-year at the school, is arguably college basketball's best young coach. The 35-year old has been courted by several big-name programs, but last year, Stevens signed an extension that will keep him at Butler until the 2022 season.

 Butler will need a deep run the rest of the way, just to make the tournament. However, the Bulldogs are a team to be aware of if they receive a bid. 

7. Cleveland State (Horizon League)

Cleveland State resides in the same conference with Butler (Horizon League).

The Vikings (8-1) are a team that can lull opponents to sleep with their inept style. Cleveland State averages only 63.9 points a game, but, where the Vikings get after you, is on defense.

Defense has been Cleveland State's mantra all-season. The Vikings are 19th in scoring defense (56.2); 8th in steals (10.2). Their season-high of points allowed is 64 (St. Bonaventure).

Good luck trying to shoot the three against the Vikings; they lead the nation in three-point field goal defense (20.2%).

Senior guard D'Aundray Brown (13.4) leads the Vikings in scoring.

The Vikings have been to the NCAA tournament only twice: 1986 and 2009. In '86 Cleveland State upset Big 10-power Indiana - led by legendary coach Bobby Knight. Two seasons ago they knocked off Wake Forest in the first round.

Cleveland State will battle it out with Butler, but if the Vikings make the tournament, teams had better look out.

8. Murray State (Ohio Valley)

The Murray State Racers have a guard that is capable of big scoring nights.

His name: Isaiah Canaan (above picture).

This junior combo-guard on any given night can win a game by himself. Canaan averages 20.3 points a game; with a season-high 36 in a double-overtime win over Southern Mississippi.

Murray State (8-0) is one of 15 teams remaining undefeated, but the Racers will receive a huge test this weekend at No. 20 Memphis.

Two seasons ago in the NCAAs, Murray State upset Vanderbilt in the first round (66-65), and lost  to eventual NCAA-runnerup Butler (54-52) in the second round.

The Racers should win the Ohio Valley Conference this season. 

9. Weber State (Big Sky)

Who can forget former Weber State forward Harold "The Show" Arceneaux lighting up basketball powerhouse North Carolina in the 1999 NCAA tournament?

Arceneaux lit up the Tar Heels with 36 points, leading the Wildcats to a 76-74 upset win over UNC.

Now, there is another offensive weapon in town. His name: Damain Lillard.

Lillard, a 6'2" junior, leads the nation in scoring at 26.3 a game; scoring 41 in a 91-89 win over San Jose State, and 36 in a loss to Saint Mary's.

Weber State (5-2) is getting a lot of media attention around the nation because of Lillard.

The Wildcats last trip to the tournament was 2007: a 70-42 first round loss to UCLA.

If Weber State wins the Big Sky bid, Lillard could carry the Wildcats to an upset win.

10. Long Beach State (Big West)

The Long Beach State 49ers are currently 4-4, but do not be fooled by their record.

No team in the early season has faced a more tougher schedule than the Niners'.

Long Beach State traveled to then No. 9 Pitt and ended the Panthers 58-game non-conference winning streak, with a 86-76 win.

The Niners' have lost to ranked opponents: at Louisville (79-66) and at Kansas (88-80).

Two more top-25 teams awaits Long Beach State: Saturday at No. 6 North Carolina, and Dec. 22 against No. 8 Xavier.

A senior trio - led by Casper Ware (above pictured); forward Larry Anderson (15.0); and 6'8" forward T.J. Robinson (14.4 ppg and 10.8 rbg) - have carried the Niners' this season.

Long Beach State looks to return to the NCAA tournament after a four-year hiatus (2007).

The Niners' won the Big West regular season title a year ago, but was upset by UC-Santa Barbara (64-56) in the conference finals.