NCAA Bracket 2012: Complete Guide to Midwest Region

The bracket for the Midwest Region in the NCAA tournament features some heavy hitters, most notably North Carolina, Kansas, Georgetown and Michigan.

Those four squads all stand a very good chance of advancing as far as the Final Four, but there are just as many upset opportunities in the Midwest Region as there are in any of the other three regions. Make no mistake, a Cinderella team could be borne out of this portion of the bracket.

For now, let's take a moment to break it all down. Read on for a complete guide to the Midwest Region.

Opening Round Schedule

Wednesday, March 14

No. 16 Lamar vs. No. 16 Vermont, 7:00 p.m. ET

No. 12 Cal vs. No. 12 South Florida, 9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, March 16

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Lamar/Vermont

No. 8 Creighton vs. No. 9 Alabama

No. 5 Temple vs. No. 12 Cal/South Florida

No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 13 Ohio

No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 15 Detroit

No. 7 Saint Mary's vs. No. 10 Purdue

No. 3 Georgetown vs. No. 14 Belmont

No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 NC State

Best Matchup in Round of 64

There are some good ones, but none quite as good as Georgetown vs. Belmont.

The Bruins started their season off relatively slowly, but they're coming into the Big Dance on a 14-game winning streak. They're hot, and they're playing with all sorts of confidence. 

To boot, Belmont has the kind of high-scoring offense that will put Georgetown's stout defense to the test. The Bruins averaged 81.5 points per game during the regular season, fourth-most in the entire country.

The Hoyas have gotten this far on the strength of their defense. We shall see if their defense is good enough to take them further.

Four Stars to Watch

Doug McDermott, Creighton

He flew somewhat under the radar, but Creighton sophomore forward Doug McDermott was one of the most productive players in the country this season.

All told, McDermott averaged 23.2 points per game, which was good for third in the country. On top of that, he averaged 8.2 rebounds per game.

McDermott is a volume shooter. He's going to take upwards of 10 shots every game, and sometimes as many as 15 or even 20. His range extends beyond the three-point line, and he actually shot nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc.

Alabama, you've been warned.

Trey Burke, Michigan

Trey Burke fell completely flat when Michigan went up against Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament, but that shouldn't overshadow his outstanding freshman season.

Burke averaged 14.8 points per game to lead the Wolverines, adding 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He got more and more comfortable as the season went along, and notched his first career 30-point game against Minnesota in the Big Ten tourney.

Burke isn't the only player the Ohio Bobcats will have to worry about, as he will be flanked by Tim Hardaway Jr. Stopping both of them will be key for a possible Ohio upset.

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Roy Williams is lucky to have several stars at his disposal, but Harrison Barnes is the best of the bunch.

In his sophomore season, Barnes averaged 17.2 points per game and was generally much more efficient than he was in his freshman season. He was also more consistent, as Barnes rarely fell flat in a given game.

Whether Lamar or Vermont is lucky enough to draw North Carolina in the Round of 64, it will have to be careful to keep an eye on Barnes at all times.

Of course, Kendall Marshall, Tyler Zeller and (hopefully) John Henson can't be overlooked either.

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson was one of the most dominant individual players in the country this season.

Robinson averaged a double-double this season, with 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. You only need one hand to count how many bad games he had all season.

If the Jayhawks are going to make a run through the Big Dance, they will need Robinson to carry them. He's their star, and he's their leader.

It suffices to say he's a guy who spells trouble for Detroit.

Favorites on Upset Alert

I hinted at it above, but Georgetown should be on high alert against Belmont.

The Hoyas looked pretty good in the Big East tournament, but let's not forget that they stumbled into the conference tournament with losses in two of their last four games. They showed they are human in those losses, and Belmont's high-powered offense could make the Hoyas show it again.

I also think North Carolina had better watch itself. For all their talent, the Tar Heels have issues getting focused. To boot, John Henson's wrist injury is a major concern.

The Tar Heels have enough talent on paper to win the whole thing, but talent only gets a team so far.

Cinderella Story Waiting to Happen

Beware Pat Knight's Lamar Cardinals.

We all know the story. Knight famously chewed out his seniors following a loss to Stephen F. Austin, and the next thing any of us knew, the Cardinals caught fire and won the Southland Conference tournament.

Knight has his seniors playing inspired basketball, and you just get the sense the Cardinals aren't finished yet.

Dark Horse Teams Ready to Make a Run

I'm not about to overlook NC State. The Wolfpack had a mediocre regular season, but they got on a nice run at the end of the season and then nearly upset North Carolina in the ACC tournament.

Had the Wolfpack gotten a few calls, they would have beaten the Tar Heels.

I'm also not about to overlook Saint Mary's. The Gaels are an efficient offensive team, and they showed tremendous heart hanging on to beat Gonzaga in overtime in the West Coast Conference.

The Cal Bears are another team that could make a run, though I'm probably just saying that because I'm an alum.

Teams That Will Crack the Sweet 16

No. 8 Creighton

Yup. I'm picking Creighton to upset North Carolina in the Round of 32. The Tar Heels are easily rattled, and the Bluejays have more than enough firepower to rattle them.

No. 5 Temple

The Owls will make it to the Round of 32 without issue, and I'm picking them to take care of the Wolverines once they get there. Michigan strikes me as an imperfect and decidedly beatable team. 

No. 11 NC State

I'm not too high on San Diego State, so I'm picking the Wolfpack to advance to the Round of 32. Once there, I have NC State overcoming Georgetown.

No. 2 Kansas

I foresee the Jayhawks getting a tough test from the Gaels in the Round of 32, but I'll be shocked if the Jayhawks don't make it as far as the Sweet 16. 

Dream Matchup We'd Love to See

I don't think North Carolina is going to make it, but I'd love to see North Carolina and Kansas meet in the Elite Eight. Robinson is a tremendous player, but he'd have a tough time going up against the Tar Heels' bigs. Even then, this potential matchup would contain plenty of fireworks.

Who Will Earn Berth to Final Four

I have to go with the Jayhawks. When they're clicking, they're a team nobody can beat. Had they not lost to Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, the Jayhawks would probably be a No. 1 seed in some other bracket.

Projected National Champion

If one team in the Midwest bracket is going to win the national championship, it's Kansas. The Tar Heels will be the favorite to make it, and they'll be picked by many to win it all, but North Carolina's mortality is too hard to ignore.

Kansas is mortal too, but it's also a very strong team on a good day.

For your printable NCAA Bracket, click here.