NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

That didn't take long. March Madness is already in high gear after the First Four matchups in Dayton provided fans with two thrilling comebacks. Western Kentucky mounted a furious rally to edge Mississippi Valley State and BYU staged the biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history in their win over Iona.

With the tournament kicking off in earnest on Thursday, prepare for the deluge of cliches: Bracket busters, Cinderellas, sleepers - aka the low-seeded teams that shock the basketball titans and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

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In recent years we've seen some improbable underdogs rip off a flurry of wins: George Mason (2006 Final Four), Butler (title game in each of past two seasons) and Virginia Commonwealth (from First Four to Final Four last year).

So who will be this year's VCU? Well, it could just be VCU since the Rams are back in the Big Dance this year.

Click here to see which teams seeded 12 or lower could make some noise in the 2012 tournament.

NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

Belmont

Belmont has never won an NCAA tournament game but this could be the year the battle-tested team breaks through. Last year the Bruins won 30 games and made the tourney before getting knocked off by Wisconsin. This year they are the No. 14 seed in the Midwest Region and their first-round foe is Georgetown - a team with a history of early exits. (Remember when the Hoyas were stunned by Ohio a few years back?)

Belmont is a solid team who won't be intimidated by a big-name opponent. (In November, they took Duke down to the wire at Cameron Indoor Stadium, losing by a single point). Led by guard Kerron Johnson, the Bruins rank No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (81.9 ppg) and the Atlantic Sun Conference champs are on a 14-game winning streak. If Belmont can upset the Hoyas, they would play either San Diego State or N.C. State - another winnable game that would put them in the Sweet 16.

NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

Virginia Commonwealth

Can VCU really be considered a darkhorse team considering what they accomplished last season? Well, the selection committee thinks so, handing the Rams a No. 12 seed in the South region.

Last year, VCU made history by going from the First Four to the Final Four - a run capped by a stunning upset of Kansas. But the 2011-2012 squad has a much different look: The Rams graduated four players from last year's team and is now led by its only senior: leading-scorer Bradford Burgess. If VCU is to make another improbable run this year, it will be with defense: The Rams ranked No. 1 in the country in steals per game and turnover margin. If VCU can pull an opening round upset over Wichita State, they would play either Indiana or New Mexico State for a shot at the Sweet 16.

NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

Long Beach State

Long Beach State may be the No. 12 seed in the West region but they have a 5'10" point guard who can single-handedly carry the team. Casper Ware scored 33 points in the Big West championship and has been their playmaker all year long. The NBA-bound Ware led the team with 17.4 points per game and 3.3 assists as the team went 15-1 in the conference.

Ware alone may not be enough for the 49ers to overcome No. 5 seed New Mexico in the first round. As CBSSports.com notes, the 49ers' chances of pulling a round of 64 upset will increase if the team can re-acquire the services of senior guard Larry Anderson (14 ppg, 5.0 rpg) -- the conference defensive player of the year -- who missed the Big West tourney with a sprained right MCL.

NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

Montana

Once again Montana dominated the Big Sky conference and won the tournament with relative ease. (Some overzealous, basket-shaking fans didn't help their cause). The team is riding a 14-game winning streak (with an average margin of victory of 15 points). Still, coming out of the Big Sky, the Grizzlies must settle for a No. 13 seed in the East Region.

Their first-round opponent? Wisconsin. But the underdog may actually match up well with the perennial Big Ten power. While Montana plays in a conference with few star players, their slow, defensive style of play is similar to the Badgers. Says CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish: "Wisconsin comes in with superior talent but I don't think anyone will be surprised if ... it's a one-possession game (near the end)."

NCAA tournament: 5 potential sleeper teams

St. Bonaventure

For most of this season, St. Bonaventure was, to put it kindly, an average team. Then something unexpected happened: The Bonnies won eight of their final 10 games, including three straight in the A-10 tournament, capped by a 67-56 win over Xavier in the championship game. That earned them a 14th seed in the East Region, and a matchup against ACC tournament champion Florida State.

The Bonnies, who haven't made the Big Dance since 2000, are led by A-10 Player of the Year Andrew Nicholson. While they face a formidable first round opponent in FSU, the Bonnies are riding a wave a momentum. Says CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish of St. Bonaventure: "I think they can play with Florida State."