Printable NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket: Which Top Seeds Will Reach Final Four?

It's a debate I have every year when drawing up my bracket—do I go chalk with the one seeds, who proved throughout the season they were the best teams in the nation?

Or do I pencil in upsets and hope I hit them right?

If you find yourself having the same debate, you've come to the right article. Here, I'll try to predict which top seeds can win their regional and advance to the Final Four, and which are primed for an upset.

Let's get prognosticating.

Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky doesn't have an easy path, that's for sure. A potential third-round game against UConn could be daunting. Either Wichita State or Indiana (one of two teams that actually beat Kentucky this year) will provide a legit threat.

And if they advance to the Elite Eight, I believe a very talented Baylor squad will be waiting for them.

No matter—Kentucky will beat them all and win the South region. None of these opponents have the luxury of playing them on their home court like Indiana did when they beat them, or facing them for a third time like Vanderbilt did when they beat the Wildcats.

The road won't be easy, but Kentucky will survive it.

Michigan State Spartans

For my money, Michigan State drew the toughest possible eight seed, Memphis. If Memphis advances past Saint Louis—a very good team in its own right—they'll give the Spartans everything they can handle and then some.

So the Spartans could be upset there.

I don't think there is a potential opponent that will knock off Sparty in the Sweet 16, but Marquette, Missouri or even a high-scoring Cinderella like Iona could spell trouble for Michigan State.

I really like Missouri and I think they'll knock off the Spartans. No Final Four for Tom Izzo this year.

Syracuse Orange

There are four teams who I believe can legitimately knock off Syracuse if they meet them in the East region: Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, Florida State and Ohio State.

Vanderbilt likes to take shots from downtown and can shoot over the 'Cuse zone. Wisconsin is battle-tested, Florida State beat Duke and North Carolina twice each and Ohio State has the athletes to match against the Orange.

I think Vanderbilt will shock a lot of people and beat Syracuse in the Sweet 16.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Keep out your chalk in the South region—North Carolina is headed to the Final Four.

But it won't be easy. I think both Creighton (third round) and Temple (Sweet 16) will be tough outs if they are around to play the Tar Heels. Expect those games to be closely-contested shootouts.

In the Elite Eight, I expect either Georgetown or Kansas to advance, and I honestly believe that one is a toss-up. As of right now, I'm pick Kansas to face North Carolina, but we'll see.

Kansas is a tough team, there's not a question about that, but I think North Carolina matches up favorably against the Jayhawks. For as good as Thomas Robinson has been, both John Henson and Tyler Zeller are good enough to slow him down.

Look for North Carolina to not only reach the Final Four but the championship game, where they'll lose in an instant classic against Kentucky.

For your printable NCAA Bracket, click here

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