34 Teams that are a lock for the NCAA Tournament

31 teams get automatic bids to the NCAA tournament if they win their conference tournament( Ivy League goes to regular season champ). You never know what will happen in those conference tournaments. So regardless of what happens in the conference tournaments here are the 34 teams that I think are locks to make the NCAA tournament.

The 34 Teams

1. Kentucky– Clearly by far the best team in the country. Freshman Anthony Davis could be the National,Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year.

2. Syracuse – They have the best depth of any team in the country. Question is who will be the go to guy in crunch time? The 2-3 zone is always a problem for opposing teams.

3. Kansas- This might be Bill Self’s best coaching job, because this is probably his least talented team. Thomas Robinson is in a head to head race with Anthony Davis for National Player of the Year.

4. Duke- Austin Rivers really has picked up his play the last month. This Duke team will go as far as there three point shot takes them.

5. North Carolina-. Besides Kentucky the Tar Heels have the most talent of any team out there. They feature the best frontcourt in America with Zeller, Henson, and Barnes.

6. Michigan State – After two losses to start the season to Duke and North Carolina the Spartans are once again a final four contender. Tom Izzo always finds a way to get it done.

7. Missouri – This team is everyone nightmare a quick team with 4 guards who can all drain the three. Lack of depth inside could hurt them in the end.

8. Marquette– Maybe the most underrated team in the country and same goes with their two best players Darius Johnson Odom and Jae Crowder.

9. Ohio State– Anytime your team has Jared Sullinger, Aaron Craft, and William Burford your team can go far question is will they get enough help?

10. Baylor–The Bears have the most talent of any team out there problem is they always don’t play tough or as a team. Perry Jones needs to pick it up.

11. Georgetown- Same as Marquette this team is very underrated. There Princeton type offense will be hard to stop in the tournament.

12. Murray State–Even if they lose in the conference tournament the Racers will still be in the big dance. Watch out for Isaiah Canaan.

13. Wisconsin – Your typical Wisconsin team that might struggle to score sometimes but plays great defense. Jordan Taylor is one of the best points guards in the nation,.

14. Michigan– Trey Burke has been one of the best freshmen in the country at point guard. To go far in the tournament the Wolverines need better plays out of their bigs.

15. Wichita State- I think the Shockers are the best mid major out there. Get to know the names Joe Ragland and Garret Stutz.

16. Indiana– Indiana is back. They beat three top 5 teams at home Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan State. Can they win on a neutral site?

17. Notre Dame- Despite losing their best player to an ACL injury the Irish are playing a lot better when out him. Go figure.

18. Louisville- Despite injuries to a lot of their players the Cardinals are easily in the big dance. This team could go a long way or lose in the 1st round.

19. Florida- The Gators are led by their guards that can all shot the three but there lack of inside play could come back to haunt them.

20. Florida State- The Seminoles are one of the best defensive teams in the country but can they score enough to win? Mike Snaer has already hit two buzzer beating shots to win games this season.

21. Temple - Remember this team beat Duke earlier in the season. This team is lead by their guards in particular Ramone Moore.

22. UNLV- The Rebels were on the map ever since they beat UNC. UCLA transfer Mike Moser is one of the best players in the country.

23. San Diego State- Despite losing most of their starters from last year’s team Steve Fisher has his team right there in the mix again.

24. Creighton–Doug McDermott is likely a 1st team All American. The Blue Jays can score with the best of them but do they have enough defense?

25. St. Mary’s- Matthew Dellavedova is one of the better guards in the country. I think this is the best St. Mary’s team compared to Gaels teams of the past.

26. Vanderbilt- This team has the talent to make a final four. Question is can they advance it the tournament and not fail like previous years.

27. New Mexico- Get to know the name Drew Gordon ; he is a UCLA transfer. The Lobos play great defense.

28. Gonzaga- Can we stop calling Gonzaga a mid major they are here every year. This year’s team however is not one of Mark Few’s better teams.

29. Kansas State- The Wildcats are flying under the radar. Rodney McGruder is one of the better guards out there.

30. Iowa State- The Cyclones are led by transfers. In particular Minnesota transfer Royce White.

31. Purdue- This will be Robbie Hummel last NCAA tournament. Hasn’t it felt like he has been there for 10 years?

32. Virginia- Mike Scott is having a monster year problem is he doesn’t get enough help from his teammates. The Cavs do play great defensive though; this might allow them to go far in the tournament.

33. Memphis- The Tigers were disappointing early in the season but they have turn it on big time lately.

34. Alabama- Despite suspensions to key players Anthony Grant has his team playing well at the right time.

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Tags: 2012 NCAA tournament