2012 NCAA Tournament - Round of 32 Preview

Ringer's NCAA Tournament Record
ATS: 26-18
SU: 28-16

Saturday's games held to form, as the favorite came away winning each game. Sunday could provide a different story as potential Cinderellas in Xavier, South Florida, Ohio, Lehigh, and Norfolk State will all play. After Sunday we should know who is being fitted for the glass slipper. Here is a look at who I expect to see in the Sweet 16.

Midwest Regional at Columbus

3 Georgetown (-4.5) vs. 11 NC State

Georgetown showed that they are still a team to be reckoned with as they blew past an experienced Belmont squad in the Round of 64. NC State was able to hold off San Diego State to advance. The team that dictates the pace of the game will come out on top. The Hoyas will want to slow the game down and force the Wolfpack to eat up the shot clock. Georgetown will get big games out of Jason Clark and Henry Sims and march on.

Prediction - Georgetown 65 NC State 56

West Regional at Columbus

1 Michigan St. (-6.5) vs. 9 St. Louis

Michigan State knows how to play in March, and Tom Izzo knows how to coach in March. Saint Louis does not have that reputation, but their coach Rick Majerus does. Both teams were impressive in their opening round victories. Michigan State's victory was never in doubt against LIU-Brooklyn. Saint Louis used their defensive prowess to take down a hot Memphis team. This one should be a grinder for each. The Spartans have much more talent and experience that will pave the way for a W.

Prediction - Michigan St. 62 St. Louis 50

Midwest Regional at Greensboro

1 North Carolina (-8.5) vs. 8 Creighton

North Carolina won their opener easily over Vermont. Creighton used a late rally to knock off Alabama. The crowd usually loves an upset during the NCAA Tournament, but I don;t think that will be the case here. The folks in Greensboro will be heavily skewed towards Tar Heel nation. Creighton may hang around for a half, but Carolina has far too much talent and athleticism to lose this one.

Prediction - North Carolina 86 Creighton 69

West Regional at Omaha

7 Florida (-14.5) vs. 15 Norfolk St.

The Florida Gators was dominant in their Round of 64 romp of Virginia. Norfolk State shocked the world, becoming just the 5th team to ever be seeded 15 and advance in the NCAA Tournament. Florida has been up and down throughout the year, but could be on an upswing based off of their performance on Friday. They will need to be focused and ready to play and should be able to overwhelm Norfolk State on shear talent alone and end their Cinderella story.

Prediction - Florida 83 Norfolk St. 68

Midwest Regional at Nashville

12 South Florida (-2.5) vs. 13 Ohio

South Florida is vying to become this year's edition of VCU. Last year the Rams went from the First Four to the Final Four. The Bulls are on a mission to duplicate that this year. They have already won 2 games versus the likes of Cal and Temple. Now they get an Ohio squad that has won a game in their last 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. DJ Cooper leads the way for the Bobcats and will need to play great against a stout South Florida D. I look for Cooper to do enough to lead Ohio to another upset.

Prediction - Ohio 61 South Florida 50

South Regional at Greensboro

10 Xavier (-3.5) vs. 15 Lehigh

This is the 2nd game featuring a 15 seed. Lehigh pulled off an all-time shocker by defeating the mighty Duke Blue Devils in the Round of 64. CJ McCollum was spectacular in leading the Mountain Hawks to their 1st NCAA Tournament win ever. Xavier won a hard fought battle with Notre Dame and they are now in position to get to a point that many thought they would earlier in the season. The X-Men become the 2nd double digit seed to advance to the Sweet 16.

Prediction - Xavier 75 Lehigh 71

West Regional at Omaha

2 Kansas (-8) vs. 10 Purdue

Bill Self gets another opportunity to coach against a Big Ten school. They struggled throughout the 1st Half of their game with Detroit, but eventually proved too strong for the Titans. Purdue is looking to send Robbie Hummel off on a high note. The Senior has had a promising career derailed by injuries, which cost some of the best squads Purdue has ever had. Beating the Jayhawks may make everything worth it for Hummel. Unfortunately, I don't think he gets the swan song he's searching for.

Prediction - Kansas 77 Purdue 70

East Regional at Nashville

3 Florida St. (-2) vs. 6 Cincinnati

Cincinnati seemed to have control throughout their entire game with Texas, but could never seem to pull away. They did continue their recent string of strong play and pull out the victory. Florida State looked like they were going to be the 1st victim of a major upset, but they dominated Saint Bonaventure down the stretch and advanced. This game is going to be tenacious defensively. the team that can knock down more jumpers should prevail. I like the Seminoles to be that team.

Prediction - Florida St. 65 Cincinnati 62

2012 NCAA Tournament - Round of 32 Preview

Ringer's Tournament Record
SU: 21-15
ATS: 21-15

The Round of 32 will begin on Saturday afternoon, leaving us one step closer to the Final Four in New Orleans. There was not a whole lot of drama on the opening day, but boy was Friday a different story. Since the field expanded to 64 in 1985, we had only seen four 15 seeds defeat a 2 seed. On Friday alone we added 2 more as Norfolk State beat Missouri and Lehigh upended Duke. There have been no buzzer beating shots though. Let's hope that changes over the weekend. Here is a look at who I expect to see advance to the Sweet 16.

East Regional at Pittsburgh

1 Syracuse (-5) vs. 8 Kansas St.

Syracuse needed a 2nd Half comeback to hold off UNC-Asheville and avoid being the first ever 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed. K-State surged late to overcome a feisty Southern Miss squad. The Orange could find it difficult to avoid the upset again. Their weakness is rebounding, which is K-State's strength. The Guards for Syracuse will need to come up big. Dion Waiters, Scoop Jardine, and Brandon Triche will get it done and lead the Orange into the Sweet 16.

Prediction - Syracuse 68 Kansas St. 64

East Regional at Pittsburgh

2 Ohio St. (-7.5) vs. 7 Gonzaga

DeShaun Thomas was huge for the Buckeyes on Thursday night. The Sophomore scored 31 points and grabbed 12 boards in leading OSU to victory over Loyola (Md). It was exactly the type of performance they needed if they are going to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga controlled their game with West Virginia from start to finish. They wound up routing the Mountaineers 77-54. These two teams have been consistently amongst the nation's best over the past 5 years. Only one of them can advance.

Prediction - Ohio St. 76 Gonzaga 70

West Regional at Louisville

3 Marquette (-5.5) vs. 6 Murray St.

Marquette and Murray State will battle on Saturday for the right to advance to the Sweet 16. Marquette knocked off BYU in impressive fashion, dominating the Cougars 88-68. Murray State continued their fairy tale season by defeating Colorado State to improve to 31-1 on the year. Isaiah Canaan of Murray State might be the best player on the floor, but Marquette's duo of Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom will lead the Golden Eagles to the win.

Prediction - Marquette 75 Murray St. 68

East Regional at Albuquerque

4 Wisconsin (-1) vs. 5 Vanderbilt

Wisconsin was terrific on the defensive end of the floor once again in their win over Montana. Vanderbilt fought off a pesky Harvard squad to advance to the weekend. Expect a very close game here. Wisconsin is looking to make it to back-to-back Sweet 16s for the 1st time in school history, while Vandy is looking for their 1st Sweet 16 appearance since 2007. The shooting of John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor will propel the Commodores to the W.

Prediction - Vanderbilt 59 Wisconsin 56

South Regional at Portland

4 Indiana (-6) vs. 12 VCU

The Indiana Hoosiers have built up a long legacy of rich basketball tradition. VCU is working on building theirs. As steep as the tradition is at Indiana, VCU has made just as many Sweet 16 appearances in the past decade - one. Indiana easily moved past New Mexico State in the Round of 64 and VCU survived a last second shot against Wichita State. I don;t think the Rams will keep this one as close. Their dream of back-to-back Final Fours will end.

Prediction - Indiana 76 VCU 56

South Regional at Louisville

1 Kentucky (-11) vs. 8 Iowa St.

Kentucky enters Saturday's slate of games as the only double digit favorite. They used a double-double by Terrance Jones to ease their way past in-state rivals, Western Kentucky in the Round of 64. Iowa State beat the defending champs, UConn, from the opening tip and proved they were not a team that can be overlooked. Kentucky will have their hands fill with Royce White, but their dream season is far from over. Coach Cal's team will make it to the Sweet 16 for the 3rd year in a row.

Prediction - Kentucky 73 Iowa St. 70

South Regional at Albuquerque

3 Baylor (-7.5) vs. 11 Colorado

Baylor and Colorado are two schools that aren't accustomed to success in their basketball programs. Baylor is in search of just their 2nd Sweet 16 appearance since 1950. Colorado has not won 2 games in a single NCAA Tournament since 1955. Colorado looked much sharper than Baylor did in the Round of 64, but there is far more talent on the Baylor roster. The Bears will advance.

Prediction - Baylor 71 Colorado 61

West Regional at Portland

4 Louisville (-1) vs. 5 New Mexico

 Louisville and New Mexico will face off for the 1st time with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line. Both teams have been playing exceptional basketball of late. Louisville won the Big East Tournament title and blew past Davidson with relative ease in the Round of 64. New Mexico won the Mountain West Tournament title and beat a dangerous Long Beach squad in their NCAA Tournament opener. One of these teams is going to become a serious Final Four threat. I like Rick Pitino's squad to do so.

Prediction - Louisville 65 New Mexico 59

2012 NCAA Tournament - Round of 64

East Regional at Nashville

6 Cincinnati (-1.5) vs. 11 Texas

Mick Cronin has gotten Cincinnati focused since the brawl against Xavier. I expect them to play much better than they did against Louisville in the Big East Championship and squeak out a victory in Nashville.

Prediction - Cincinnati 62 Texas 60

Midwest Regional at Columbus

6 San Diego St. (+2.5) vs. 11 NC State

Steve Fisher is building a program at San Diego State. The Aztecs reached the Sweet 16 last season. They will be looking to improve on that showing this season and will get one step closer to that accomplishment with a win over NC State.

Prediction - San Diego St. 79 NC State 73

Midwest Regional at Greensboro

8 Creighton (+1.5) vs. 9 Alabama

Alabama will want to use their pressure defense to create turnovers and force bad shots for Creighton. The Crimson Tide are superior athletically and will be able to reduce the open looks for Doug McDermott.

Prediction - Alabama 75 Creighton 69

West Regional at Omaha

7 Florida (-3.5) vs. 10 Virginia

This is a classic battle of offense versus defense. Virginia loves to slow the game down and limit the opposition's possessions. Florida can stroke the 3-ball though and can make the most out of their limited possessions. The Gators will move on.

Prediction - Florida 62 Virginia 56

East Regional at Nashville

3 Florida St. (-6.5) vs. 14 St. Bonaventure

Leonard Hamilton is leading an exciting era of Florida State basketball. The Seminoles made a run to the Sweet 16 last year, and are now the ACC Tournament champs for the 1st time in school history. They will need to hold the Bonnies' Andrew Nicholson in check to advance on Friday. They have repeatedly shut down the nation's better players all year though.

Prediction - Florida St. 58 St. Bonaventure 52

Midwest Regional at Columbus
 
3 Georgetown (-4) vs. 14 Belmont

Georgetown's strength is defense and rebounding. They should be able to feast on a smaller, less athletic team like Belmont. Henry Sims will make an impact down low for the Hoyas and help them avoid an upset.

Prediction - Georgetown 74 Belmont 57

Midwest Regional at Greensboro

1 North Carolina (-15.5) vs. 16 Vermont

North Carolina possesses what is possibly the most talented roster in the country. No #1 has ever lost to a #16. There is no chance of it happening here. Carolina will win easily.

Prediction - North Carolina 88 Vermont 69

West Regional in Omaha

2 Missouri (-21.5) vs. 15 Norfolk St.

Missouri is an exceptional team, but Marcus Denmon, Kim English, and company are still seeking acceptance as a national title contender. A win over Norfolk State will not prove they are capable of that, but it will advance them to a point in which they can prove it.

Prediction - Missouri 78 Norfolk St. 58

West Regional in Columbus

8 Memphis (-3) vs. 9 St. Louis

Josh Pastner's Memphis squad is clicking at the right time. Pastner has young and talented team that is beginning to put it all together and could make a run in the tourney. Many feel like they could make some noise if they get past Saint Louis. They will escape the Billikens by a narrow margin.

Prediction - Memphis 66 St. Louis 64

South Regional at Greensboro

2 Duke (-12.5) vs. 15 Lehigh

Duke has looked vulnerable at ti in recent weeks. Lehigh has not lost in over a month. Is this the recipe of an upset? Not quite, but I do think that the Mountain Hawks can scare the Blue Devils.

Prediction - Duke 82 Lehigh 77

Miswest Regional at Nashville

4 Michigan (-5.5) vs. 13 Ohio

Michigan is coming off a season that gave them a piece of the Big Ten title for the 1st time since 1986. Now the Wolverines have their sights set on advancing to the Tournament's 2nd weekend for the 1st time since 1994. Ohio and their outstanding PG DJ Cooper stand in their way. He will need to go off for the Bobcats to pull the upset.

Prediction - Michigan 59 Ohio 58

Midwest Regional at Omaha

7 St. Mary's (-1.5) vs. 10 Purdue

Purdue is a much better team than their record indicates. Almost half of their games were played against teams in the Big Dance. They are no stranger to tough competition. Saint Mary's does not get challenged every night in the West Coast Conference. Purdue's schedule and the leadership of Robbie Hummel will have them ready to win this game.

Prediction - Purdue 71 St. Mary's 70

West Regional at Columbus

1 Michigan St. (-20) vs. 16 LIU-Brooklyn

Tom Izzo's club exceeded all expectations this season. Now they are in position to to return to a familiar place - the Final Four. The Spartans are dominant on the boards and should overpower a smaller, less physical LIU-Brooklyn squad.

Prediction - Michigan St. 95 LIU-Brooklyn 61

South Regional at Greensboro

7 Notre Dame (-2.5) vs. 10 Xavier

You have to commend both of these coaches for the jobs they've done this year. Mike Brey took a Notre Dame squad that had little expectations and lost their best player to injury and lead them to a 20-win season in the rugged Big East. Chris Mack of Xavier helped his team overcome the sad situation following the brawl against Cincinnati and has his team focused on making an impact in the Big Dance. Tu Halloway will be the best player on the court, which should give the X-Men a slight advantage.

Prediction - Xavier 66 Notre Dame 61

Midwest Regional at Nashville

5 Temple (-2.5) vs. 12 South Florida

This is a game of future Big East rivals. Temple will make the move in 2013, but will get a look at what life will be like on Friday. South Florida dominated Cal in a First Four matchup last night and will be looking to build on that momentum. Both teams are solid defensively, but Temple has more offensive firepower. That will be enough to lead the Owls to a win.

Prediction - Temple 65 South Florida 52

Midwest Regional at Omaha

2 Kansas (-14) vs. 15 Detroit

Kansas entered the season as an afterthought. But Bill Self showed that you can never count out a Kansas team. POY candidate Thomas Robinson made sure that the Jayhawks remained a Final Four contender yet again. They face one of the most electrifying mid-major players anywhere in Ray McCallum who decided to pass on the big schools to play for his dad. Kansas will win this game, but McCallum will show he was capable of playing in a big time conference.

Prediction - Kansas 66 Detroit 56