March Madness 2012 Bracket: Midwest Region Guarantees to Take to the Bank

There's hardly anything you can count on in the NCAA Tournament. The games are about as predictable as the weather because crazy things happen in the big dance.

But when we look at the Midwest region in the 2012 tournament, there's a small handful of outcomes that we can be sure of.

What upsets, performances and results can we be certain of in this section of the bracket? Have a look at these Midwest region guarantees to take to the bank.

N.C. State Will Upset San Diego State

San Diego State put together an impressive 26-win campaign that included victories over UNLV, California, Long Beach State and New Mexico.

Steve Fisher's squad has outperformed expectations this season, but they will have their hands full slowing down Mark Gottfried's N.C. State attack.

C.J. Leslie and Lorenzo Brown lead a Wolfpack group that distributes the ball well and has plenty of athleticism to compete in this tournament. An upset over the Aztecs will serve notice that they belong.

Alabama Will Hold Doug McDermott Under 20 Points

Alabama might not have the best resume or the gaudiest statistics heading into the postseason, but the Crimson Tide can sure play defense.

Anthony Grant's squad will face one of the Midwest's best offensive threats in Creighton's Doug McDermott.

The Bluejay star is dropping 23 points per game and has eclipsed 30 points five times this season.

But Alabama has the top defense in the SEC and holds opponents to 58 points per game. Slowing down McDermott will be one of the Tide's keys to winning a low-scoring game and advancing.

Michigan Won't Make the Sweet 16

John Beilein's Michigan Wolverines have play-making ability on the perimeter with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke, but it's the interior woes that will keep them from making the Sweet 16.

In fact, with Ivo Baltic and Reggie Keeley roaming the paint for Ohio, Michigan might have some problems just getting past the Bobcats in their opening game.

Then the Wolverines would likely face a tough Temple team that has wins against Duke, Wichita State, Texas and Xavier under its belt. That spells trouble for the maize and blue.

Georgetown Will Make the Sweet 16

Georgetown has fallen to underdogs in the tournament the last couple years, but this year will be different for the Hoyas.

This group has veteran leadership, big-game experience and a solid defensive front. John Thompson's bunch can score from outside and inside, and they will be ready to handle every team's best shot.

Henry Sims plays a pretty post game, Otto Porter is a rugged freshman forward, and Jason Clark, Hollis Thompson and Markel Starks take care of guard business.

Georgetown doesn't have the best draw in this bracket, but they are a scrappy, balanced group that is well-coached. 

Kansas and North Carolina Will Meet in the Elite Eight

The Kansas Jayhawks and North Carolina Tar Heels stand head and shoulders above everyone else in the Midwest bracket.

None of UNC's early-round opponents can handle the quartet of Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller.

In a similar way, Kansas' dynamic duo of Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor will be nearly impossible to slow down the first couple weekends.

These schools just have too much firepower. The two titanic programs will square off in St. Louis for the right to advance to the Final Four.

North Carolina Will Win the Midwest Region

Assuming John Henson's wrist injury heals, Roy Williams' North Carolina Tar Heels will be making a trip to the Final Four.

Twin towers Henson and Tyler Zeller will overwhelm inferior forwards and provide just enough plays to overcome Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey of Kansas. Sophomores Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall will create a boatload opportunities on the perimeter.

North Carolina rebounds the ball better than anyone in the country, they're one of the best transition teams in the country and they're loaded with NBA prospects. All signs point to New Orleans.