NCAA Tournament 2012: Ohio vs. NC State and More Intriguing Elite 8 Matchups

The NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 round begins tomorrow, but that isn’t stopping us from looking ahead to the Elite Eight on Saturday and Sunday.

It’s one of the most underrated rounds in the competition and teams will be fighting tooth and nail to secure an elusive Final Four spot.

Let’s take a look at some awesome possible matchups in each region.

NC State vs. Ohio

This would be an awesome game between two Cinderella teams.

The Wolfpack are a No. 11 while the Bobcats are a No. 13 and the public can’t lose seeing either of these squads in the Final Four.

Both of them have tough matchups to get through first, as Kansas stands in the way of NC State and UNC is looking to end Ohio’s magical run.

Florida vs. Michigan State

These two powerhouses could very well collide and it would be an extremely close game despite State’s No. 1 seeding compared to UF’s No. 7.

There may not be a hotter team in the tourney right now than the Gators, and Sparty would have their work cut out for them.

Baylor vs. Kentucky

The Bears have the talent to compete with Kentucky, but coach John Calipari seems to get much more out of his Wildcats than Scott Drew has been able to do with his squad.

Regardless, Baylor knows the importance of this game and is looking to make its first Final Four since 1950.

Syracuse vs. Ohio State

This would be a great matchup between a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed in the East Region.

They both have unique strengths and weaknesses that balance each other out and no one could possibly predict the winner.