Potential High-Seeded Busts

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When filling out your bracket, there are always those higher-seeded teams that are going to be upset early and ruin your predictions. It would be nice to know which clubs are the ones bowing out in the first couple of rounds. Teams that struggled down the stretch or have inflated records are prime examples of these types of busts. Here are the top six potentially overrated squads:

Kansas: The Jayhawks won the Big 12 regular-season title, but struggled towards the end of the season, with bad losses to Texas Tech and Baylor. Outside of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, to an extent, this team lacks experience. Plus, they don’t take care of the ball offensively.

Xavier: The Musketeers peaked earlier this season, and were rewarded with a No. 4 seed despite a poor finish to the season. They have had inconsistency at the point guard spot all season, leading to too many turnovers, and they lack a go-to-guy late in games.

Syracuse: The Orange could have been a sleeper if they had bowed out as expected in the Big East Tournament and received a No. 6 seed. However, at the three spot, they are vulnerable. They are prone to turnovers and allow too many offensive rebounds. Extra possessions are crucial in the Big Dance.

Oklahoma: The Sooners are another team struggling down the stretch, going 2-4 in their last six games. Furthermore, they have several weaknesses. They don’t get consistent perimeter production; they lack quality depth; and they don’t defend that well in general.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons have as much talent as anyone in the country and could certainly make a deep run. However, they are very young and inexperienced, including coach Dino Gaudio. Plus, they struggle from the perimeter and Jeff Teague has slipped lately.

Villanova: I was tempted to go with Duke in this spot, but the Blue Devils are playing very good basketball lately. On the other hand, the Wildcats have some deficiencies that could hurt them. They lack size in the middle, and also struggle to defend inside the arc. If the threes aren’t falling, beware.

BONUS: Utah: I know the Utes are a five-seed, and I generally only look at the top four seeds, but Utah could be primed for an early-round loss. First, they are seeded too high. Secondly, they face a talented Arizona team determined to prove it belonged in the field. Third, they don't force turnovers and struggle to defend the perimeter.