Sweet 16 2012: Examining the Final Four Chances of Each No. 1 Seed

While all four No. 1 seeds are still alive, when the action ends and the Final Four is set, that will no longer be the case. Two of those teams will be on to New Orleans, while the other two will be headed back to the dorms.

Right now, let's see who's doing what when the tournament's second weekend ends. 

South Region: Kentucky

Starting off with a bang, the Wildcats are the best team in the country. They have speed, length and depth in all areas, which is all that you can ask for from a team. That is why they're the best team in the country. 

The fact that Indiana beat them earlier in the year is only going be a good thing for Kentucky. They are now full aware that the Hoosiers are a good team and will be absolutely determined to prove that the first game was nothing more than a fluke. 

They have the incentive, talent and of course, Anthony Davis. Honestly, I can't see Kentucky being seriously challenged through the rest of their region. 

How Far They'll Go: National Champions

West Region: Michigan State

While a potential Elite Eight matchup is extremely intriguing, this team fits very much the same mold as Kentucky, as least as it relates to the rest of their region. Yes, there are other good teams, but they are not as good as the Spartans. Also, I would never consider betting against Tom Izzo before the Final Four.

What makes the Spartans great is that they don't have weaknesses to exploit, and they're just a little better in all areas than any team they will meet, until the Final Four. 

As if all of that wasn't enough, they have Draymond Green. Having the best player as part of the most complete team is about as close to an upset-proof scenario as one could ever imagine. 

How Far They'll Go: Final Four

East Region: Syracuse

Fab Melo's absence will not keep Syracuse from beating Louisville. The Orange are still a better team. The absence will also not keep them from beating Ohio State in the next round—the Buckeyes are the better squad even with Melo in the lineup.

Looking at Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas and William Buford, Ohio State is just too strong at the top. Any one of those players is capable of taking over a game and as good as Syracuse is, they just don't have that makeup to stop or match them.

Get used to the Buckeyes, as they'll be around for a long time in this one. Unfortunately for Syracuse, that means that a great season will stop just short of a Final Four appearance.  

How Far They'll Go: Elite Eight

West Region: North Carolina

I guess we'll have to wait to see if John Henson and Kendall Marshall play or not, but I don't see them being very effective. Whether they play or not in the Sweet 16, the Tar Heels will beat Ohio, but that's where the magic is going to end. 

Kansas is a complete team with Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor leading the charge. They will have too much firepower at the top for UNC to deal with. Even if Kansas loses (as I believe they will), UNC will have to deal with North Carolina State, the same team that should have beaten them in the ACC semis with a healthy Marshall.

Either way, that round is where North Carolina's run ends. Those two injures will cost this team a chance to win a National Championship.

How Far They'll Go: Elite Eight

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