NCAA Tournament 2012: Breaking Down Sweet 16 Midwest Region

The Midwest Region is down to four teams. North Carolina, Ohio, N.C. State and Kansas have run the gauntlet thus far. 

The days leading up to the Sweet 16 will be filled with analyzing and predicting. The hottest issue will be Kendall Marshall's wrist, and North Carolina's title chances without their star point guard.

Both matchups should be very close. All four teams are red-hot, and should provide excitement.

The Midwest Region is almost decided. 

Here is a breakdown of each matchup, players to watch and who will come out on top.

North Carolina vs. Ohio

The Ohio Bobcats are coming off a third-round victory over South Florida. The Tar Heels defeated Creighton to earn a Sweet 16 bid. 

Ohio has faced stiff tests while North Carolina has exploited their previous opponents. 

That may change with Kendall Marshall's injury and D.J. Cooper's continually improving play.

North Carolina must win this game from the inside. The Tar Heels have arguably the best frontcourt in the nation. Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Harrison Barnes will be even more important with the loss of Marshall. 

The Tar Heels will be forced to play more in the half-court. Point guard Stillman White is a solid distributor, but he lacks the pass-ahead vision of Marshall in the open floor. 

The Bobcats must get a big game from their star guard D.J. Cooper. Cooper was dynamic throughout MAC play this season. He has continued that trend into March.

Cooper's ability to penetrate defenses opens up several options for the Bobcat offense.

Ohio's stingy defense could be the difference in this game.

The Tar Heels are not known for their defensive efficiency, and could have trouble slowing down Cooper.

The Bobcats would normally struggle against the fast-paced Tar Heel attack, but a hampered Marshall could severely alter that.

The game's two star players, Harrison Barnes and D.J. Cooper, will have to play well for their team to come out on top. 

Kansas vs. N.C. State

Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie have led a resurgence for Mark Gottfried's North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Wolfpack upset San Diego State in Round 2, and did the same to Georgetown in Round 3.

Now, the Wolfpack must face their toughest opponent yet. 

The Kansas Jayhawks handled Detroit in Round 2. The Jayhawks narrowly escaped tragedy against Purdue in Round 3.

The Jayhawks boast perhaps the best player in the nation, Thomas Robinson. Robinson averaged a double-double during the regular season, and has not disappointed in the tournament. He is more than one player can handle on both ends of the floor.

N.C. State has the personnel up front to neutralize Robinson. Howell and Leslie have been a very impressive duo. They are athletic enough to slow Robinson down, and strong enough not to get pushed around. 

Kansas point guard Tyshawn Taylor and N.C. State point guard Lorenzo Brown both dish the ball extremely well, but Taylor has had problems holding onto the ball throughout the season. Taylor has five turnovers in two NCAA tournament games, and it must stay that way if the Jayhawks wish to avoid the upset. 

The Jayhawks are a one-horse team. They play solid defense, and Robinson does his job. 

The Wolfpack use a team effort on both ends to get the job done. 

Which style will win out and earn an Elite Eight bid?

Players to Watch

Stillman White, G, North Carolina- With Kendall Marshall potentially out with a fractured right wrist, White will have to play a large role in the Sweet 16. White averaged less than a point per game this season.

He must stabilize the Tar Heel offense if Marshall is unable to go. White needs to distribute the ball to North Carolina's stable of frontcourt weapons, and let them win the game. If he can, the Tar Heels will advance to play, at least, one more game. If he cannot, the Ohio Bobcats could take down a giant. 

Tyshawn Taylor, G, Kansas- Taylor was Kansas' second-leading scorer during the regular season. He is averaging 10 points per game this tournament, and has five total turnovers. Taylor must continue this trend against the pesky N.C. State defense.

Taylor is very athletic, but he can be erratic at times. He must win the point guard battle over the Wolfpack's Lorenzo Brown, and provide a solid second option for Bill Self's Jayhawks. 

C.J. Leslie, F, N.C. State- Leslie is a phenomenal athlete in the Wolfpack frontcourt. He must use this athleticism to wear down Kansas' Thomas Robinson if the Wolfpack hope to advance. 

Leslie will have help. Richard Howell has been dominant so far in the tournament. The two will work in tandem to slow down the monster named Robinson. 

Leslie's athleticism can cause a ton of problems for opposing defenses. He is a threat to shoot, post-up or dunk anytime he touches the ball. 

D.J. Cooper, G, Ohio- The Bobcats go when Cooper goes. He is a dynamic scorer with a knack for finding the open man for an easy bucket. 

North Carolina is prone to quick guards. The Tar Heel backcourt is diminished with the potential loss of Kendall Marshall. Cooper must exploit the Tar Heels' below-average defense, and find his way to the bucket. 

If he can establish himself, the Bobcats have a good chance at pulling another upset.

Predictions

North Carolina vs. Ohio

The Tar Heels are ailing, but still extremely talented. Stillman White will avoid turnovers, and maintain a steady hand. White's production will not show up on the boxscore next to his own name, but it will show up next to the likes of John Henson, Tyler Zeller and Harrison Barnes. 

The Tar Heels win a close one, 74-69.

Kansas vs. N.C. State

N.C. State has been as impressive as anyone so far in the tournament. The Wolfpack have the frontcourt needed to neutralize Thomas Robinson, and the steady point guard play to avoid turnovers. 

Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie will get it done on both ends of the floor. Scott Wood provides the punch from the perimeter, and the Wolfpack continue their Cinderella run.

N.C. State wins, 68-66.