NCAA Bracket 2013: New Mexico Lobos a Final Four Sleeper?

Will the New Mexico Lobos cut down the nets again behind head coach Steve Alford? I think they’re a solid pick to make the Final Four in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Check out my bracket below. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s that time of year where it’s time to turn in your brackets after reading, watching, and analyzing each matchup to the fullest. This year I’m taking the top overall seed to win the tournament for the first year ever. Usually I pick my national champion about two weeks before the tournament starts and watch them closely to see if they have what it takes. This year I picked Louisville while I watched they dismantle Notre Dame in their regular season finale.

Mar 9, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Peyton Siva (3) dribbles against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Eric Atkins (0) during the second half at the KFC YUM! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 73-57. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals have definitely looked the part of a #1-overall seed winning its last 10 in a row and 13 of 14 with their only loss in that span their five-overtime loss to Notre Dame. Lousiville has a road closer to home and a relatively easy path depending on how the madness works out over the next few weeks. The one team that scares me in their bracket is Saint Louis who was another team I loved to make a deep run but now will meet Louisville in the sweet 16 if they both get to that point.

The rest of my Final Four is Indiana, Georgetown, and New Mexico. The only real surprise team I think gets that far is the Lobos. New Mexico is a really good defensive team and has a well-balanced offensive attack. They can get streaky shooting which I think will be enough to get them past Ohio State and Wisconsin who I have taking down Gonzaga.

Here’s my full bracket: