NCAA Tournament Schedule 2012: Ranking the Best Potential Tournament Rematches

Raise your hand if you love a good rematch.

Okay, now lower your hands, because it's weird to just randomly raise your hand while you read an article. But the point remains that everyone loves a good rematch, and with the Sweet 16 upon us, the possibility for some seriously juicy rematches remain.

Let's rank the potential rematches we could see in the Elite Eight, Final Four or championship game.

Honorable Mention: Kentucky versus Indiana

Since this isn't merely a potential rematch but is actually happening, it only gets honorable mention status. But the opportunity for Kentucky to avenge its lone regular-season loss at the hands of Indiana makes for some excellent television.

I know I'll be watching.

5. Kentucky or Michigan State vs. North Carolina, Championship Game

Any potential rematches with North Carolina have lost a lot of their luster with the news that Kendall Marshall fractured a bone in his right, non-shooting hand. There is the possibility that Marshall could play, but it seems unlikely.

Marshall is the proverbial straw that stirs North Carolina's drink. As the point guard for the team, he averaged an absurd 9.7 assists per game and really made everything tick for the team.

Of all of the talented players the Tar Heels have on roster, Marshall is probably the most indispensable.

North Carolina will remain competitive, but without Marshall, the Heels aren't elite. And that really sucks, because the possibility of the Tar Heels matching up with either of these teams at full strength—namely Kentucky—would have made for a fantastic championship.

4. Syracuse vs. Cincinnati, Elite Eight

How's this for drama—a rubber match for the right to reach the Final Four?

Syracuse beat Cincinnati back on January 23rd, 60-53. But the Bearcats shocked a lot of people when they had their revenge in the Big East Tournament, beating the Orange, 71-68.

And without Fab Melo anchoring Syracuse's 2-3 zone, Cincinnati will certainly come in with a lot of confidence that it can knock off the No. 1 seeded 'Cuse. That, and the Bearcats would probably be heroes in the Big East for knocking off Syracuse once again given the Orange's upcoming conference defection.

3. Wisconsin vs. Ohio State, Elite Eight

Another potential rubber match for the right to advance to the Final Four out of the East Regional.

Talk about the potential in the region for some great theater.

Ohio State beat Wisconsin, 58-52, on February 4th. The Badgers had their revenge later that month, beating the Buckeyes, 63-60, on February 26th.

Everybody loves a rubber match, especially with the stakes this high.

2. Kentucky vs. Kansas, Championship Game

It would be hard to beat a rematch between these two traditional powers, both who hovered around the top of the rankings all season long, with the national championship hanging in the balance.

Plus, the matchup in the block between the two front-runners for Player of the Year, Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson, would be a truly enticing one to watch.

The Wildcats bested the Jayhawks all the way back on November 15th, 75-65.

1. Michigan State vs. Ohio State, Championship Game

A fourth game between the two best teams in this country's best conference this year with a national championship hanging in the balance?

Yes, please.

Michigan State currently leads the season series two games to one, including a win in the Big Ten tournament championship game, 68-64. That was one of the most well-played, competitive and exciting games I have watched all season.

And with the star power that Draymond Green of the Spartans and Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas of the Buckeyes bring, this game would have no shortage of intrigue.

Besides, if college football's best conference, the SEC, can have a rematch for the national championship, why can't the Big Ten do the same in basketball?

Hit me up on Twitter—I've tweeted from Lehigh's campus before. Seriously.