From First Four to Final Four: Virginia Commonwealth's Impossible Title Run

PG Joey Rodriguez and the VCU Rams have gone from cinderellas to contenders
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

On Selection Sunday,Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart wasn't even watching the selection show, because he admitted he didn't even think they would even be considered for an NCAA Tournament bid. Needless to say when they were selected, Shaka was in shock. His 23-11 VCU Rams were in the tournament, but not without a challenge ahead of them. They had been selected as one of the inaugural First Four, the NCAA's new first round because of the reconfigured 68-team bracket. From there, they have gone on to playing spoiler in this year's NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Duel in the Desert: Auburn v. Oregon

GLENDALE, AZ - Come January 10th, Auburn and Oregon will be squaring off in this year’s BCS National Championship, where two best offenses in the country collide. Auburn’s one man wrecking crew, quarterback Cam Newton, leads his Auburn Tigers against running back LaMichael James and the prolific offense of the Oregon Ducks. There’s a lot more to this match-up than these two superstars, though.