Final Four 2012 Predictions: Updated Projections After Crazy First 3 Rounds

There's really only one downside to March Madness. As fun as it is to watch all the madness unfold, our brackets end up in shambles when it happens.

The bracket I filled out a couple weeks ago was half-dead after the Round of 64. The Round of 32 finished it off. I poured one out for it and hired a trumpeter to play taps. It was an emotional scene.

The true shame in my bracket's death is that all but three of my picks for the Final Four went up in flames, which I suppose is my own damn fault. I should have played it safe, and I should have known that this year's tournament was going to give us some of the most shocking upsets in the history of the Big Dance. Stupid me.

But I refuse to give up on making predictions for the Final Four. Since three of my original Final Four predictions are now obsolete. Here's a new set.

East Region

Original Prediction: No. 3 Florida State Seminoles

New Prediction: No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes

Florida State was heading into the Big Dance with some positive vibes, having beaten North Carolina in the final of the ACC tournament. The Seminoles played the Bearcats tough, but Cincinnati was too good in crunch time.

It occurred to me to pick Ohio State way back when the bracket was first revealed, but I had the Buckeyes down as overrated. Upon further review, they're not overrated. They're just boring. There's a huge difference.

Ohio State can beat Cincinnati easily enough, likely setting up a matchup against No. 4 Wisconsin. The Badgers are another boring team, but they're definitely up to the task of dispatching the Fab Melo-less Syracuse Orange.

The Buckeyes will be able to match the Badgers stride for stride in a defensive battle. With things even on the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State would have the edge thanks to its array of scorers.

If Ohio State happens to find itself matched up against Syracuse instead, so be it. The Buckeyes are good enough to beat the Orange too.

No matter who they have to go through, the Buckeyes stand a very good chance of making it to the Final Four. It helps that there is no 15-seed standing in their way.

Midwest Region

Original Prediction: No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks

New Prediction: No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks are the only one of my original Final Four picks that is still kicking. And for that, I love 'em.

Kansas didn't make it easy on itself against No. 10 Purdue in the Round of 32, but that shouldn't have anybody too alarmed. The Jayhawks made a habit out of winning close games during the regular season, so there's no reason to jump ship on them just because they got a scare from the Boilermakers.

The biggest reason Kansas is still very much alive in its quest for the Final Four is Kendall Marshall's wrist injury. It sounds like the Tar Heels aren't banking on having him back any time soon, meaning they'll be at less than full strength if they happen to meet Kansas in the Elite Eight.

With a little extra help from Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas would beat a Marshall-less Carolina squad in the Elite Eight. If Carolina can't even beat Ohio without Marshall, the Jayhawks wouldn't complain. Ohio is a team Kansas could beat easily.

South Region

Original Prediction: No. 9 UConn Huskies

New Prediction: No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats

The Huskies let me down, man. They underachieved all season, but I figured they would get hot at the right time like they did last year. Goodness knows UConn had the talent to do it.

For the record, I blame Andre Drummond.

Meanwhile, Kentucky has breezed through its first two tournament games, proving all over again that it is the strongest team in the country. 

To keep it going, the Wildcats will have to beat Indiana, the only team to beat them during the regular season. Seeing as how it took a once-in-a-lifetime shot aided by homecourt advantage for the Hoosiers to beat the Wildcats, I don't think Kentucky will have too much trouble getting revenge.

I'm anticipating Kentucky coming up against Baylor in the Elite Eight. The Bears are talented, but they're not as good as they should be. Kentucky will handle them with ease.

West Region

Original Prediction: No. 2 Missouri Tigers

New Prediction: No. 1 Michigan State Spartans

I don't want to hear any guff in the comments section about Missouri—unless, of course, you actually picked Norfolk State to upset the Tigers.

And you didn't. So shut it.

Having swung and missed with Missouri, I will now jump on Michigan State's bandwagon. The Spartans aren't perfect, but they're not really bad at any one thing. They do everything well.

Louisville's defense will pose a tough challenge for Michigan State, but the Cardinals will be doomed once the Spartans shut down Peyton Siva and Louisville's mediocre offensive attack. 

The true challenge for Michigan State will come against Marquette in the Elite Eight, as Marquette is a dangerous offensive team that will push the tempo. That's not Michigan State's game. 

Even still, the Spartans are the better team, and at this point I just can't bring myself to bet against Draymond Green.