[pmayjr]

With this Bracket Buster showcase of matchups going al weekend on various ESPN matchups, there's one thing that all of these mid-major schools have in common: UPPER CLASSMEN.

I think this is the reason more and more mid-majors will be going deep in the NCAA tourney every year. These unsung recruits do something that the Blue Chippers playin for the Blue Devils don't do: DEVELOP. When a freshman at Duke jumps to the NBA after 1 year, Duke (and the other high-major big time programs) are forced to re-load. Yes they re-load with talent, but it's Raw talent.

When watching Missouri State and Winthrop play last night: the starting lineups were as follows:
Winthrop- 3 Seniors, 2 Juniors
Missouri State- 3 Juniuors, 2 Seniors

Yeah, these guys were ignored by the Tar Heels as high schoolers. But they are allowed to develop their games, really learn a coaches system, and get the most out of their games by staying for 4 years at these schools. That's why even if they're under-sized, their talent, and savvy comes through, especially in March (see George Mason, UAB, Bradley, Kent St., Nevada, Southern Illinois, Pacific etc., etc. in the last 5 years).

That's why my Final Four Sleeper for this year is the University of Nevada Wolfpack. They have an All-American forward in Nick Fazekas, and they're deep around him. So guys- Florida looks damn good so far, but don't ignore those Mid-Majors. They might not have the Raw Talent, but they got the savvy, and know how to fully utilize matchups, and a coach's system to beat "better" high-major teams.