Final Four 2012: Latest Predictions and Top Players to Watch

Cue up "One Shining Moment" and clear your schedule, because the Final Four field is officially set.

Louisville and Ohio State did their dirt on Saturday, while Kentucky and Kansas punched their tickets with strong Sunday performances. Now, there are only a few days separating us from some epic Final Four matchups.

Louisville vs Kentucky could send The Bluegrass State into an all-out civil war, while Ohio State vs Kansas will feature one of the best big-man battles in recent memory. Both games take place on Saturday, March 31.

So which players should you keep an eye on during the action? Just click "begin slideshow" to find out.

Peyton Siva, Louisville

Siva wasn't spectacular in the Elite Eight, but I'm expecting him to return to top form against Kentucky. If he doesn't, the Cardinals will be sent packing.

Louisville will rely heavily on his dribble penetration against the long and athletic Wildcats. They need him to get into the heart of Kentucky's defense and create shots for himself and his teammates.

When the two teams squared off in December, Siva had more turnovers (three) than made field goals (two). Look for him to be much more efficient on Saturday.

If Siva can surpass his tournament averages of nine points and seven assists, he'll put Louisville in a great position.

Russ Smith, Louisville

Smith went bonkers against Kentucky in December, dropping 30 points in 27 minutes.

He also carried the Cardinals past Florida in the Elite Eight. He scored 19 points and pulled down five rebounds against the Gators. More importantly, he changed the tempo of the game, using his energy to spark Louisville's second-half run.

If the Cardinals are going to upset Kentucky, they'll need another huge performance from Smith. If he gets hot, he could lead Louisville to another appearance in the national title game.

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

If Anthony Davis plays up to his potential, the Wildcats will crush Louisville.

With his athletic ability, pterodactyl wingspan and unique offensive skill set, Davis is unquestionably the best player in the country.

In the regular season meeting with Louisville, he went for 18 points, 10 boards and six blocks. You can expect him to put up similar numbers on Saturday.

He has a tough individual matchup against Gorgui Dieng, but I'm still expecting him to dominate.

Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague has grown a lot in the tournament, as he's finally grasped the complexities of running John Calipari's offense. This was exemplified in Round of 32, when he went for 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds on Iowa State.

As good as he's been, though, Teague will need to be even better against Louisville. The Cardinals have some feisty guards in Peyton Siva and Russ Smith, both of whom will be in his face all game long.

If he handles the pressure, the Wildcats will advance. If he doesn't, they could be in trouble.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger was an animal in the Elite Eight, putting up 19 points and seven rebounds to lead Ohio State past Syracuse.

He got into some early foul trouble, which forced him to sit all but six minutes in the first half. After halftime, however, he would not be denied. He relentlessly attacked the interior of Syracuse's zone, capitalizing on the absence of Fab Melo.

Sullinger is the best player on Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are nearly unbeatable when he's focused and hungry. He'll have his hands full with Thomas Robinson, but I'm expecting Sullinger to embrace the challenge.

Aaron Craft, Ohio State

Sullinger is Ohio State's best player, but if the Buckeyes formed like Voltron, Craft would be the head.

The scrappy point guard is the catalyst for Ohio State, both offensively and defensively.

He dominates opposing guards with his ball pressure and orchestrates the Buckeyes offense on the other end. Through four tournament games, he's averaging 10.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game.

If he wins his individual matchup against Tyshawn Taylor, the Buckeyes will advance to their second national title game in six years.

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson's rise from bench player to National Player of the Year candidate fueled the Jayhawks on their run to the Final Four.

He was dominant during the regular season, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game. He has been just as good in the tournament so far, putting up double-doubles in the first three games before dropping 18 and nine on North Carolina's tough front line.

Now, Robinson must prepare himself for an epic showdown with Jared Sullinger and Ohio State. It should be one of the best big man duels in years, and whoever comes out on top will likely lead their team to the title game.

Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Taylor had a rough start to the tournament, but he made up for it in the Elite Eight.

The senior murdered the Kendall Marshall-less Tar Heels, hitting 10-of-19 shots on his way to 22. He also added six rebounds, five assists and five steals. It was his best performance of the tournament by far, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

In the Final Four, he'll square off against Aaron Craft of Ohio State. It will be a tough test for Taylor, but if he gets the best of Craft, Kansas will have a great shot at advancing.

Predictions: Kentucky over Louisville

Rick Pitino's crew has had a magical run, but they won't get their revenge against Kentucky.

The Wildcats are simply too big, too athletic and too talented for the Cardinals. They have six guys who can explode offensively, and although they're not a great three-point shooting team, they'll be able to bust Louisville's zone with their balanced scoring. 

Defensively, the Wildcats will use their length and athleticism to disrupt the flow of Louisville's offense. Every shot will be challenged, and many will be swatted into the stands.

The Cardinals are as tough as any team in the country, so they definitely won't go down without a fight. But in the end, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and the rest of the Wildcats will be too much for them to handle.

Prediction: Kentucky 73, Louisville 64

Predictions: Ohio State over Kansas

I'm expecting Ohio State to dispose of Kansas, setting up a showdown with Kentucky in the national title game.

The Jayhawks were impressive in the victory over UNC, but the Buckeyes are an entirely different animal. They are completely healthy, playing their best ball of the season and they've got a balanced inside-outside attack.

I'm expecting Aaron Craft to outplay Tyshawn Taylor and lead his team to the finals. Taylor was great against Carolina, but he has yet to face a defender with Craft's ability. Look for Craft to frustrate Taylor and force him into bad shots and turnovers.

The Buckeyes also beat Syracuse despite a 3-of-12 effort from William Buford. As the team's best perimeter scorer, I'm expecting him to step up and be a difference-maker.

Prediction: Ohio State 75, Kansas 71