Bracket Briefing: Predicting the stunning upsets is never easy

USA TODAY Sports provides your March Madness therapy

No. 6 Arizona drew a tough matchup against an experienced Belmont team. (Photo: Julie Jacobson, AP)

Story Highlights
  • Belmont could be a Cinderella and beat Arizona
  • Valparaiso fell short against Michigan State
  • No. 1 overall seed Louisville takes on No. 16 North Carolina A&T

    Welcome to another session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — forecasting the Ali Farokhmaneshes before they spark the upset we'll be talking about for days.

    2013 BRACKET: Your NCAA tournament field

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    The first word: If you're that person who was forced to work today, we're sorry. But you can breathe easier knowing that it hasn't happened. Yet. You already know what we're talking about: The upset. Not the No. 8 over a No. 9 seed. The big one that becomes legendary. In tonight's slate of games, there will be plenty of opportunities to see one of the Davids take down a Goliath.

    DIFFERENT CALL: Pitt player draws offensive flagrant

    The best bet: No. 11 Belmont vs. No. 6 Arizona.

    President Obama turning Belmont into the upset pick could be a double-edged sword because as Bruins coach Rick Byrd puts it, "now it's fashionable." Obama wasn't far off with his choice in a veteran-laden Belmont team led by long-range specialist Ian Clark. Arizona swingman Kevin Parrom said the Wildcats will be playing "with a chip on our shoulder."

    PHOTOS: UNDER-THE-RADAR STARS CARRYING THEIR TEAM

    Nate Wolters could spark an upset.
    Nate Wolters, the Summit League Player of the Year, led South Dakota State to a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The senior guard averaged 22.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 5.8 apg for the Jackrabbits. Wolters was fourth in the nation in scoring and poured in 53 points in a game.  Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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    Iona's Lamont "Momo" Jones
    Iona guard Lamont "Momo" Jones led the Gaels to the MAAC title by putting up 23 ppg, the third best average in the nation.  Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
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    George Fant did it all for Western Kentucky.
    Western Kentucky's do-it-all forward George Fant helped the Hilltoppers win the Sun Belt title and earn an NCAA tournament berth. The sophomore was second on Western Kentucky with 12.9 ppg and first on the team in rebounding, with 6.8 boards per game.  Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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    Belmont guard Ian Clark
    Belmont senior guard Ian Clark led the Bruins to an Ohio Valley Conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth. Clark averaged 18.1 ppg while hitting 54.1% of his field goals, including a dangerous 46.3% from three.  Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
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      • Nate Wolters, the Summit League Player of the Year, led South Dakota State to a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The senior guard averaged 22.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 5.8 apg for the Jackrabbits. Wolters was fourth in the nation in scoring and poured in 53 points in a game.
      • Iona guard Lamont "Momo" Jones led the Gaels to the MAAC title by putting up 23 ppg, the third best average in the nation.
      • Western Kentucky's do-it-all forward George Fant helped the Hilltoppers win the Sun Belt title and earn an NCAA tournament berth. The sophomore was second on Western Kentucky with 12.9 ppg and first on the team in rebounding, with 6.8 boards per game.
      • Belmont senior guard Ian Clark led the Bruins to an Ohio Valley Conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth. Clark averaged 18.1 ppg while hitting 54.1% of his field goals, including a dangerous 46.3% from three.
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        Brick city: The story line seemed so good: A mid-major giving the Cinderella-turned-elite program a taste of its own medicine. Butler wasn't having it. Butler and Bucknell combined for 35 points in the first half (while combining to shoot about 29% from the field), so it's no surprise that the basketball clanked off the rim: