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Ohio State a heavy NCAA favorite

Every year when the NCAA tournament bracket comes out, there's a
the no-brainer the year before.
This year, there doesn't seem to be that one team that'll be at
the top of everyone's bracket. It's probably closer to a dozen.
be considered legitimate title contenders.
route, but each one in this year's field of 68 has enough flaws
that it's going to be difficult to feel certain about the final
pick at the middle of the bracket.
To help out, here's a rundown of the favorites, with opening
Odds to win championship: 3-1.
Why they'll win: The Buckeyes are as deep and talented as any
team in the country and have a national player of the year
candidate in Jared Sullinger. The freshman didn't play like one
year's player of the year, Evan Turner. The Buckeyes also have
50 percent.
Why they won't: The Buckeyes aren't invincible, as losses to
blew a 15-point lead against the Badgers and allowed the
concentration. They're also in a tough East Regional that includes
North Carolina, Syracuse and Kentucky.
Odds to win championship: 9-2.
Why they'll win: If Ohio State is the No. 1 team for talent and
Markieff Morris, Kansas looks like a younger version of the team
to match up inside with the Morrises and Thomas Robinson.
Why they won't: Kansas, like Ohio State had a couple of letdowns
during the conference season. The Jayhawks allowed Texas to score
51 points in a dominating second half to see their nation's-best
was at the wrong end of the biggest upset in last year's
tournament, losing to Northern Iowa.
Odds to win championship: 5-1.
Why they'll win: They're the defending national champions. Well,
it's more than that. The Blue Devils have one of the best 1-2
Why they won't: Duke still managed to win the ACC tournament and
tournament if the talented freshman guard isn't able to return. The
Blue Devils also are in a difficult region that includes San Diego
State, Connecticut and Texas.
Odds to win championship: 7-1.
Why they'll win: The Panthers earned the No. 1 seed in the
Southeast Regional coming out of the brutally tough Big East. The
in the first two rounds.
Why they won't: The Panthers are vulnerable when Gibbs doesn't
nipped the Panthers on Kemba Walker's last-second shot. Potential
matchups with Louisville or Notre Dame late in the regional could
be tripping points.
Odds to win championship: 12-1.
Why they'll win: What a run by the Aztecs this season under
coach Steve Fisher. San Diego State swept the Mountain West
regular-season and conference titles on its way to winning a
regular season, but turned the tables with a dominating performance
best players in the country in Kawhi Leonard.
Why they won't: The Aztecs had a hard time stopping Jimmer
light-up-the-scoreboard player in UConn's Walker in the third
round. San Diego State, despite its high seeding, hasn't had much
success in the NCAA tournament lately, either, going winless its
past six trips, including three under Fisher.
Odds to win championship: 15-1.
Why they'll win: The Tar Heels made a quick turnaround after a
tournament. The Tar Heels also are loaded with talented players,
including freshman Harrison Barnes, who came on strong late after
some early lumps.
Why they won't: The Tar Heels are young, which could leave them
a little shellshocked in the bright lights of March. North Carolina
was blown out in the ACC tournament final by Duke and doesn't have
Heels also have just eight scholarship players after point guard
Larry Drew III transferred and freshman reserve Reggie Bullock
suffered a late-season knee injury.
Odds to win championship: 18-1.
Why they'll win: The Gators won the Southeastern Conference's
presence with Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin.
Why they won't: The Gators may rely too much on Boynton and
in Florida's two losses to Kentucky, when the Wildcats used tall,
athletic guards to manhandle the Gators' two smallish guards.
Odds to win championship: 20-1.
Why they'll win: Purdue's title hopes seemed to take a huge hit
when Robbie Hummel tore his ACL for a second time in preseason
practice. The Boilermakers not only survived without the
JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. Opening the NCAAs at relatively
close Chicago is also a boost.
Why they won't: Purdue was in the running for a No. 1 seed the
NCAA tournament before faltering late in the season. The
Boilermakers ended the regular season by getting stunned by Iowa,
potential second-round game against Georgetown is dangerous.


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