NCAA Bracket 2012 Predictions: Michigan State & Contenders That Will Fall Short

The NCAA Tournament selection process will come to a conclusion on Sunday evening with the CBS Selection Show (6:00 p.m. ET, CBS), in which the field of 68 teams will be presented, so that contenders like the Michigan State Spartans can see what path they must take to cut down the nets this March. 

Regardless of what region the top-seeded contenders wind up in, the journey to the Final Four and beyond is sure to be brutal. 

So, which contenders will fall short of the ultimate prize this March? Check it out. 

No. 8 Michigan State Spartans (26-7)

The Spartans are one of the better defensive and rebounding teams in the nation this season, ranking 26th in the country on the boards. However, they will only go as far as Draymond Green can take them, and no offense to the big fella, but he is no Kemba Walker.

Green leads Michigan State in scoring (16.2 PPG), rebounding (10.4 RPG) and is the second-best assist man (3.6 APG) on the team behind sophomore guard Keith Appling.

There is a likely risk of Green, who played nearly 33 minutes per game this season with the Spartans, wearing down as Michigan State goes deeper in the tourney. If that happens or the Spartans hit one of their offensive lulls, like they did in their loss to Indiana last month (55 points, 29 of which were from Green), they will be sent packing.

No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (27-6)

The Blue Devils have lost two of their last three games heading into the Big Dance and could really use some confidence before the action tips later this week. Their less than stellar effort in Atlanta during the ACC Conference Tournament likely locked them into a No. 2 seed, which all but guarantees a berth in the second round, usually.

However, Duke lives and dies by the three-point shot too often and that's why they will be hit or miss this March. The Blue Devils attempted 713 long-range jumpers this season and connected on 37.6 percent of them. But if they find themselves out of rhythm at any point, they are a sitting duck.

No. 5 Missouri Tigers (30-4)

The Big 12 champions will likely be derailed by their lack of size and rebounding prowess this March. For as excellent as their guard play has been all season, led by seniors Marcus Denmon and Kim English, Ricardo Ratliffe will ultimately be overwhelmed in the paint and on the boards at some point.

Missouri ranks 279th in the nation in rebounding this season, collecting a little more than 32 per game. The Tigers have 24 tournament appearances in the school's history, but have never made it to the Final Four. Last year, Missouri lost in the first round to Cincinnati. 

Lack of deep tournament experience and a conventional lineup are what make the potential No. 1 seed a shaky bet this spring. Pick them at your own risk.