2012 NCAA Bracket Predictions: Picks for Every Matchup

The 2012 NCAA tournament is just around the corner, and Selection Sunday is a mere two days away. We will finally know who is in and who is out of the Big Dance, and there could not possibly be more anticipation right now.

In order to help make these next two days bearable, here is a prediction on how the final bracket is going to look and even a pick for every game in the first round.

Feel free to use the comment section to discuss what squads got snubbed, which teams are in for an upset—or just to call me an idiot. It’s up to you!

*Advancing team in bold

South (Atlanta)

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 16 Western Kentucky/Stony Brook

The Wildcats will not lose for a while.

No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Purdue

This would be a great matchup and one that many people would like to see.

The Boilermakers get the edge here because of their play in the Big Ten and numerous wins over top teams. They mostly only lost to ranked opponents while the Tigers struggled against squads like UTEP and Southern Miss.

No. 5 UNLV vs. No. 12 South Florida

This tough Rebels team managed to beat UNC earlier in the season and will not fall to USF.

No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 13 Drexel/Northwestern

FSU is a solid program and is better than any projected 13 seed.

No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 11 Long Beach State

The 49ers have a good shot at becoming this years Cinderella story in the tournament.

They had a solid 22-8 regular season and guard Casper Ware is poised to become a Jimmer Fredette/Stephen Curry type player who catches fire and shoots his team into the Sweet 16 and possibly beyond.

No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Lehigh

Perry Jones III finally realized how to step up in a big game in the Big 12 tournament.

No. 7 Gonzaga vs. No. 10 West Virginia

Zaga is as consistent as they come for a mid-major program.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 15 Texas-Arlington

Ohio State does not lose here.      

West (Phoenix)

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 LIU-Brooklyn

UNC is a powerhouse this season and isn’t going to be the first No. 1 seed in history to lose in the first round.

No. 8 Kansas State vs. No. 9 Cincinnati

K-State had a rough start but finished the year strong with momentum going into the tournament.

No. 5 Florida vs. No. 12 Texas/Xavier

It might be a surprise to find Texas as a No. 12 seed after an upset of Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, but they really had a poor regular season and struggled down the stretch.

Of course if they somehow knock off Mizzou this will all change, but as of now this team is dangerous on the bubble and coming off a play-in game.

They could use the momentum the way that VCU did last season and propel themselves to a deep run through March Madness.

Myck Kabongo and J’Covan Brown make up one of the best backcourts in basketball and good guard play is all you need to win a few games some times.

No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 13 Virginia Commonwealth

Indiana was able to topple Kentucky and will not be upset by last year’s darling team.

No. 6 Murray State vs. No. 11 Mississippi State

The Racers went 30-1 and should be higher than a six seed. Alas, the Ohio Valley Conference gets no respect.

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 Belmont

Golden Eagles exited the Big East tourney early and will not go quietly here.

No. 7 San Diego State vs. No. 10 St. Louis

The Aztecs should not have a problem here.

No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 15 Montana

Mizzou is dominant and is making a case for a No. 1 seed right now.

East (Boston)

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 16 UNC-Asheville

‘Cuse looks vulnerable—but not to Asheville.

No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Virginia

Cyclones will not get upset again.

No. 5 Temple vs. No. 12 Brigham Young

BYU is about to go on their first Jimmer Fredette-less tournament run since 2004. They have a chance to make a new name for themselves and prove they didn’t need him to win.

They have two solid forwards in Noah Hartsock and Brandon Davies, as well as a great freshman guard named Matt Carlino.

There is an upset brewing here.

No. 4 Wichita State vs. No. 13 Nevada

The Shockers will cap off a nice regular season with a tournament win or two.

No. 6 Vanderbilt vs. No. 11 Washington

A good SEC team matches up with a poor Pac-12 team. Easy call.

No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 14 Davidson

The Wolverines are going to have a field day against Davidson unless Steph Curry comes through that door.

No. 7 New Mexico vs. No. 10 Connecticut

UConn pushed Syracuse to the edge in the Big East tournament and looks scary.

They have the size and skill to make another nice run but lack the experience. Look for them to get past the first round but falter after.

No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Loyola (MD)

Never bet against Coach K in the first round.

Midwest (St. Louis)

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Mississippi Valley State/Norfolk State

Easy victory for the Jayhawks.

No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 9 Southern Mississippi

The Crimson Tide will roll.

No. 5 Louisville vs. No. 12 Colorado State

This team is always dangerous come March because of their coaching, length and athleticism.

No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 South Dakota State

The Badgers boring, defensive style of play will come back to haunt them, but not in the first round.

No. 6 St. Mary’s vs. No. 11 Harvard

Harvard would be a fun pick against most teams but the Gaels are another Cinderella waiting to be unleashed. Hopefully this pairing does not happen.

No. 3 Georgetown vs. No. 14 Akron

The Hoyas are overrated and consistently underwhelm. They were beaten in the Big East tournament early and will be leaving the Big Dance early as well.

No. 7 Creighton vs. No. 10 California

Creighton team can simply put up points and a lowly Pac-12 team will not slow them down.

No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 15 Detroit

Sparty is primed for a Final Four run.