NCAA Bracket 2012 Predictions: Elite Teams Who'll Get No. 2 Seeds

There can be only four top seeds, so four more of the nation's best teams will find themselves in the second spot in their respective regions.

Obviously, Kentucky and Syracuse have locked up top seeds in two of the four regions.

In my opinion, the Missouri Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels will secure the other two spots.

Who does that leave for the second seeds?

Here are my predictions for the teams that will just miss the top seeds, but are still formidable contenders for a national championship.

Duke

The Blue Devils were defeated by Florida State for the second time this season in the ACC semifinals. That could be a bad thing for the Blue Devils, but I think the committee will respect how good a team the Seminoles are.

The fact that Florida State has also defeated North Carolina says a lot.

Duke's strength of schedule is third in the nation. That said, 27-6 headed into the NCAA tournament is good enough for the second seed.

Ohio State

I have predicted the Bucks will win the Big Ten Tournament, but because I've also predicted Missouri will win the Big 12 tourney, Ohio State gets the second seed.

Despite playing a much stronger schedule, Missouri is currently ranked fifth in the nation, while Ohio State is seventh. If the Tigers defeat Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, there is no reason to vault the Bucks ahead of them.

Ohio State would have a beef here, but the Tigers are a solid team. With Kansas out of the way after losing to Baylor, Mizzou gets a top seed.

Michigan State

The Spartans will lose to Ohio State in the Big Ten final, but that doesn't completely erase their impressive resume. They have played the nation's toughest schedule, and considering they would finish with a 26-8 record, that is impressive.

The committee will reward the outstanding Spartans' record because of the formidable strength of schedule.

Kansas 

The committee will not completely turn their backs on the Jayhawks after losing to Baylor in the Big 12 semifinals. 

Kansas has had an outstanding season. They are 27-6 with the ninth strongest strength of schedule and a RPI that is sixth.

They were 16-2 in the Big 12, and don't underestimate the impact of having the nation's best player in Thomas Robinson.

The Jayhawks will round out the No. 2 seeds.