NCAA Basketball Scores 2012: Predicting Final Scores for Thursday's Games

After tonight's games, the Sweet 16 will be down to 12 remaining teams. The marquee matchup on tonight's schedule has to be in the West Region. No. 1 seed Michigan State will battle No. 4 seed Louisville in Phoenix.

This could be an amazing game, as I see both teams as legitimate national championship contenders.

Here is my prediction for that game and the other three games on tap tonight.

Michigan State vs. Louisville

This game will come down to controlling tempo. Louisville excels when they can force an up-tempo game, and the Cardinals are finally healthy enough to do this.

As Peyton Siva goes, so goes the Cardinals. He is their floor general and spark plug. It's not about stats with Siva, as he has averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 assists so far in the tournament. It's about running the offense and making decisions in transition.

When he's playing well, they are tough to beat.

The Spartans have been led by Draymond Green, who in my opinion has been the tournament's most outstanding player thus far. Green is averaging a near triple-double through two games with 20 points, eight assists and 12.5 rebounds per game.

The Spartans have played the toughest schedule in the country this season, but right now Louisville is playing the best basketball in the country.

I pick the Cardinals in the mini upset.

Prediction Score:

Louisville 72, Michigan State 65

Marquette vs. Florida

Florida has been untested so far in the tournament. The Gators blew out Virginia 71-45 in the second round, and Norfolk State looked like a 15 seed against them in the round of 32.

They will certainly be tested by Marquette tonight. The Golden Eagles feature a balanced attack and a senior who is playing at a extremely high level. 

Jae Crowder has been a beast for Marquette in the first two games of the tournament. He is averaging 21 points and 14.5 rebounds, and he's made four of 11 three-point attempts as well.

He could cause some major issues for the Florida defense as the Gators try to find someone to match up with him.

Patric Young will need to be a force on the inside to give the Gators second chances and to punctuate defensive stops. If the Gators can't create second opportunities and allow Marquette offensive rebounds that turn into three-point attempts, they are doomed.

I believe the Gators will be hurt by their lack of competitive action over the past week, and Marquette will be sharper. My pick here is Marquette.

Prediction Score:

Marquette 69, Florida 55

Syracuse vs. Wisconsin

This may shock some, but I predict Wisconsin will knock off Syracuse. The Orange haven't been impressive for weeks in my opinion, and they've been winning on physical talent recently.

They got a few gift calls to help them get past UNC Asheville in the second round, and the physical, tough Wisconsin defense will wear them down tonight.

Syracuse doesn't have a true PG, and that is bound to catch up to them at some point. Scoop Jardine is more of a shooter/scorer than a point, but he's the best fit for the spot. 

The Badgers' underrated PG Jordan Taylor will expose the Orange's lack of presence at the point with defensive pressure. Look for Taylor, Josh Gasser and Ben Brust to destroy the Orange's zone with three point shots.

This is technically and upset, but it's one I totally expect to happen.

Prediction Score:

Wisconsin 74, Syracuse 66

Cincinnati vs. Ohio State

A battle of Ohio pits the Bearcats against the Buckeyes. This is another game that will come down to tempo. The Bearcats want to run with Cashmere Wright and Dion Dixon. They are not proficient enough in the half court to execute consistently against a Buckeyes' defense that surrendered only 59 points per game this season.

As we saw against Florida State, they will settle for bail-out threes in these situations. It just so happened that they made enough those shots to get past the Noles. They can't count on that again tonight.

They must force turnovers, rebound and run to win this game. 

The Buckeyes will live off of their tenacious defense, three-point shooting and Jared Sullinger inside. Sully is the nation's best low-post scorer, and he averaged almost 18 points per game this season.

Accompanied by the Bucks' balanced attack, led by William Buford's senior leadership and perimeter defense, and they will turn back Cincinnati.

Prediction Score:

Ohio State 63, Cincinnati 50