NCAA Bracket 2012: Ohio State and Teams That Benefit From Fab Melo Suspension

There is a giant hole in the middle of the patented Syracuse 2-3 zone that can’t be filled.

Seven-foot center Fab Melo has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA due to academic issues, and now the No. 1 seed in the East region is without the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Millions of brackets are being altered with today’s news, and multiple teams are secretly high-fiving their teammates now that sparingly used players like Rakeem Christmas and Baye Moussa Keita will now be relied upon for substantial minutes.

But who benefits the most from Melo’s suspension? Hint: most of the teams reside in the East region.

No. 2 Ohio State (27-7)

The Buckeyes were hovering around the No. 1 line for most of the season and are entering the tournament as one of the strongest No. 2 seeds. With the top team in the region missing a huge part of their team, the Buckeyes have instantly emerged as the team to beat in the East.

Without Melo available to guard one of the best players in the nation in Jared Sullinger, ‘Cuse is going to be eaten alive in the post…if the Orangemen can even make it to the Elite Eight.

What used to be one of the hardest games to pick has turned into a no-brainer.

No. 8 Kansas State (21-10)

The Wildcats play physical, in-your-face defense that has a tendency to frustrate opponents. Their slow-down style of play limits the amount of total possessions for both teams and makes the margin for error rather tiny.

There is going to be a ton of pressure on point guard Scoop Jardin to find his open big’s down low and take care of the ball.

If he gets rattled, ‘Cuse is in serious danger of falling to reach the second weekend.

No. 5 Vanderbilt (24-10)

The Commodores were already a chic pick to upset the ‘Cuse and are now the favorites to knock off a team that went 31-2 during the regular season.

They are fresh off a win against Kentucky and playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen from them all season long. Vandy has a perfect mix of upperclassmen that have been here before, strong shooters that can really stretch the floor and multiple big men in the post.

Syracuse can no longer match their physicality inside and would get absolutely pounded on the boards if they were to meet in the Sweet 16.

No. 6 Cincinnati (24-10)

If the Bearcats can get by Florida State (and I think they can), they match up very well against Ohio State. A win there and Syracuse potentially awaits them in the Elite Eight. It was less than a week ago when Cincinnati jumped out to a 17-point lead over Syracuse before winning 71-68 in the Big East tournament.

Power forward Yancy Gates led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds…with Melo lurking. Imagine the damage he can do now.

Suddenly Cincy is a sleeper pick for the Final Four.

No. 1 North Carolina (29-5)

The Tar Heels play in the Midwest region, which means they would potentially meet in the Final Four.

With a weak No. 2 in Kansas in their region and Ohio State now the favorite in the East, the road to the championship game just got much easier. Syracuse’s 2-3 zone at full strength was supposed to doom the streaky shooting Tar Heels.

Not anymore. 

For your printable NCAA bracket, click here.

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.