Sweet 16 2012: Predicting the Winners of Each Sweet 16 Matchup

The Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament will begin on Thursday, and there are several exciting matchups that will give college basketball fans a thrilling way to begin the first weekend of spring.

A number of lower-seeded teams have made an unexpected run to the Sweet 16, but will they win and advance to the Elite Eight?

Let's predict the winner of all eight Sweet 16 matchups this week.

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 4 Indiana, South Region

The Wildcats are hoping to avenge their last-second loss to the Hoosiers earlier this season in Bloomington by knocking Indiana out from the NCAA tournament.

With a superior amount of talent, especially in the backcourt, Kentucky will comfortably defeat Indiana and march into the Elite Eight.

No. 3 Baylor vs. No 10 Xavier, South Region

With dangerous three-point shooting from guard Brady Heslip and tremendous scoring inside from power forward Perry Jones III, Baylor has too much offense for the Musketeers to stop.

The Bears are an inconsistent team, but against an inferior Xavier team, they should have no problem advancing to the Elite Eight, especially if they get off to a better start than they did in their first two games.

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Louisville, West Region

The Tom Izzo-led Spartans are a complete team that can excel in any style of play, whether it be a fast up-tempo game or a slow, halfcourt affair.

With Draymond Green giving Michigan State some size and scoring in the paint, the Spartans will dominate inside and find their way to the Elite Eight.

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 3 Marquette, West Region 

Florida is one of the most dangerous teams left in the NCAA tournament. They have an experienced group of players who aren't afraid of any opponent.

If the Gators are hitting the majority of their three-point shots, they are almost unbeatable. Florida will defeat Marquette in a close game to advance to the Elite Eight.

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 4 Wisconsin, East Region

The Orange have been impressive in making it to the Sweet 16 without having center Fab Melo play in any games because of eligibility issues.

Wisconsin is a good team, but it doesn't have the talent, especially in the front court, to defeat the deepest team in the country.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Cincinnati, East Region

The Bearcats have a very good starting lineup and shoot the ball well from the outside.

However, they have no one capable of consistently stopping Buckeyes star forward Jared Sullinger in the paint. Sullinger's shot-blocking ability will also cause problems for NC State in this week's matchup. Ohio State will win easily against the Bearcats.

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 13 Ohio, Midwest Region

The Tar Heels might not have starting point guard Kendall Marshall against Ohio this week because he had surgery to repair a fracture in his wrist following their weekend win over Creighton.

Ohio has had a spectacular tournament run thus far, but it will end against a much superior North Carolina team that has an advantage at every position.

No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 11 North Carolina State, Midwest Region

The Wolfpack are a very good team with several players capable of giving the team a lot of scoring, but this game will be won in the paint.

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson and center Jeff Withey are tremendous players inside, and NC State will have a tough team battling this duo.

The Jayhawks will win, but the game will come down to the final minute.