2012 March Madness East Region Predictions

By Dennis Berry

NCAA Tournament: Breaking Down the East

Syracuse may not be too happy with the region that they drew. The Orange have been right beside Kentucky as being one of the most consistent teams in the nation. They only suffered one loss during the regular season, on the road to Notre Dame, and then lost in the Big East Semi-Finals to Cincinnati.

The Orange will have to face teams that will challenge there zone defense. A possible match up with Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16 would pit the Orange against a team that can shoot and is tall enough to battle them for offensive rebounds. Wisconsin is also a possible Sweet 16 match up that could cause Syracuse problems. The Badgers would have no problem slowing the game down and limiting the Orange offensive possessions.

The Elite Eight would not get any easier with potential matchups against Cincinnati, Florida State, or Ohio State being in there.

UPSET ALERT!

(12) Harvard over (5) Vanderbilt

Each year there is a 12 seed upsetting a 5 seed in the first round. Harvard is making their first trip to the NCAA's since 1946 and they face the SEC Tournament champions Vanderbilt. The Commodores have not been out of the first weekend since 2007. This will be a battle of High IQ basketball schools. If Harvard can control the tempo and Vanderbilt struggles from the outside, the Crimson can pull the upset.

Dark Horse

Vanderbilt. I know what you are thinking, isn't Vanderbilt on upset alert? Yes they are, only because this group has not proven they can get past the first weekend. At the same time Vanderbilt looked like the preseason Top 10 many thought they would be in the SEC Tournament. If they bring that same focus of play to the NCAA's, they can make a deep run.

Who will make the Final Four?

Syracuse. The Orange should have one of the easiest paths to a Final Four. As long as they keep forcing their opposition into turnovers that lead to easy points, Syracuse will be headed to New Orleans.

Check out our Preview of SEC in the 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament.