NCAA Bracket 2012 Predictions: 6 Reasons Ohio State Will Win It All

They could have been a top seed. And they know it.

The Ohio State Buckeyes squandered an opportunity Sunday in the finals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. The 68-64 loss gave the Buckeyes (22-7) a No. 2 seed in the East Bracket of the NCAA Tournament. They will face the No.15 seeded Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds.

Ohio State has the kind of team that can cause match up problems for most teams, led by forward Jared Sullinger and guard Aaron Craft. When they are on their game, they can beat just about any team in the country (with the exception of maybe Kentucky).

How the Buckeyes react to losing the Big Ten title and a possible top seed in the tournament will be key to their success in the Big Dance.

The field this year looks to be as wide open as it has been in nearly a decade, and with the draw the team received, there is a good possibility they could reach the Final Four, and possibly beyond.

Here is why the Buckeyes and head coach Thad Matta could win it all in New Orleans.

For your printable bracket for the 2012 NCAA tournament, click here

Guard Play

The one thing that most successful teams in the tournament have is strong guard play.

Throughout the years, teams like Florida, Duke, Indiana and North Carolina have used their guards effectively and then looked to the inside as the opposition's defense broke down.

Also, outside shooting will be a factor.

If the team can rely on guard Aaron Craft (nine points per game) and the outside range of senior William Buford, the Buckeyes can confuse their opponents and then open lanes for Sullinger to make easy baskets underneath.

Inside the Lane

Sullinger is the team's main offensive weapon. At 17 points per contest and just over nine rebounds, he is the main man on both ends of the court.

Sullinger will also be the focal point of the defensive attack for Loyola and then with Gonzaga or West Virginia. In both those contests, his size alone at 6'9" and 260 pounds makes him a beast to defend and control on the boards.

He will act in the same way as the guards in that as he moves to the lane and toward the basket, the guards could be left open as the Greyhounds converge on him, letting the outside shooters make easy jump shots.

Redemption

Sullinger played well in the Big Ten Tournament, but could not help his team win the conference title and earn the top seed in the East bracket.

Those things stick in the minds of great players and make them hungry. Will this flaw from the weekend be the motivating factor Sullinger needs to prove he is one of the best?

In the final game of the Big Ten Tournament against Michigan State, Sullinger scored nine points in the second half's first seven minutes. But in the final minute of the game, he could not make a short shot in close on two chances and then missed the front end of a 1-and-1.

He needs to be more complete. If he is, watch out.

Decent Draw

The East bracket does not look as intimidating as others.

To get the the Elite Eight, the Buckeyes could possibly face Gonzaga, then Florida State from its side of the draw.

Gonzaga doesn't have the size to match up inside, and FSU, with all its talent, is still raw and could unravel (I gulp saying that). FSU's size, however could be a matchup issue.

On the top half of the draw, an Elite Eight matchup could see them face Syracuse, Vanderbilt or Wisconsin.

I still like their chances against those teams.

Talent, Pure Talent

Big-time players take their teams to new heights. Is this the case with Sullinger?

In past tournaments, we have seen one player step up and carry their teams to the championship or a long run in the tournament—Danny Manning at Kansas, Carmelo Anthony with Syracuse, Pervis Ellison at Louisville.

Sullinger is the kind of wide body that can take over a game. And if he can do what those men before him has done, then he will forever be etched in March Madness lore.

Will Matta Finally Get a Championship

Since 2004, the Buckeyes have lived and died with Matta at the helm.

A .775 winning percentage says he is doing a pretty good job. But as with all schools, both he and the fanbase want more. Matta does not want to be "that guy" who is the best head coach to never win the big one.

Having coached at Butler and then Xavier, he knows how to build upon success, and his players are schooled in Midwestern basketball.

For everything this team has going for itself and the success it has ridden the past few years, the only think missing from Matta's resume is a national championship.