Most Underrated College Basketball Teams 2012

The most underrated college basketball teams of 2012 are the Cinderella teams that defy all odds and predictions to shock the world when it really matters. These teams may not be the biggest names in NCAA Men's Basketball and few will likely make it to the 2012 Final Four in New Orleans but each of them could be that next great success story.

There are plenty of familiar names on this list including perennial national championship contenders and best NCAA Basketball teams of the last decade like the Georgetown Hoyas and Michigan State Spartans. Normally, these teams wouldn't be on a list about underrated teams but for one reason or another they are no longer considered the elite, though one could argue they still are.

Whether these teams are among the top 25 men's basketball rankings or not, each has done something during the 2011-12 NCAA Men's Basketball season that has silently impressed. They may have a standout player, like the Weber State Wildcats who have offensive leader Damian Lillard, or the Siena Saints where defensive leader O.D. Anosike calls home. Alternately, they may just have the right combination of players, coaches and the drive for them to pull a major upset once March Madness rolls around.

But to even make it into the NCAA Tournament, these schools will need some help. Winning their respective conference tournament would give them an automatic bid into the Big Dance but outside of that, many will undoubtably be left off of the March Madness brackets on Selection Sunday.

For the teams that do make it into the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, it's anyone's game. Getting in is the hard part, but continuing from the massive field through the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight and the Final Four is the real test of any team, overrated or underrated. It's where dreams come true and one of these days an underrated team like one listed here will take it all. It may not be at the 2012 tourney, but it's coming.