NCAA Men's Basketball Predictions: A Never-Too-Early Look at the 2012 Final Four

It's something magic about bringing the Final Four and New Orleans together. It's almost as if there's a voodooism that guarantees an everlasting moment.

Michael Jordan's game winner over Georgetown ignited his legend and propelled North Carolina to the national title—that was N'awlins. 

Keith Smart's game winner over Syracuse in 1987—that was N'awlins.

Chris Webber's career-defining timeout blunder that sealed a North Carolina win over Michigan's heralded fab five—that was N'awlins, too. 

Carmelo Anthony's freshman season to remember at Syracuse culminated in...you guessed it, N'awlins. 

Florida Gators Are a Sneaky Pick for New Orleans

Looking for a sleeper candidate for a trip to the Big Easy? Try the Florida Gators.

Returning to the defending SEC regular-season champions are big men Erik Murphy and Patric Young, along with backcourt mates Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton. Adding all-world super recruit Bradley Beal to the fold gives the Gators one of the most lethal trios of guards in the country.

With his backcourt full of firepower, Billy Donovan will rely on the emerging Young as well as Murphy to fill the voids up front left with the graduations of Chandler Parsons, Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus.

Baylor Bears Look to Return to the NCAA Tournament

Coming off a 2010 Elite Eight run, the Baylor Bears were expected to compete with Big 12 mainstays Kansas and Texas for its conference title. Disappointingly, they not only failed to do so, but missed the NCAA tournament as well.

With future lottery pick Perry Jones surprisingly opting to return for his sophomore year and adding highly-ranked freshmen Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello, Baylor could be partying on Bourbon Street next April.

Syracuse and New Orleans Have History

It's just a hunch, but I'm sure Jim Boeheim and Syracuse would be "OK" with a repeat ending of the last Final Four in New Orleans. The Orange return most of their team that made it to the new third round of the NCAA tournament and add two prominent All-Americans in Michael Carter-Williams and Rakeem Christmas. And of course, the vaunted Syracuse 2-3 zone returns as well.

Duke Looks to Make a 16th Final Four Appearance

Despite being the favorite to do so, Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils came up short in last year's bid to repeat as NCAA champions.

Gone are All Americans Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, but Coach K, being the master recruiter he is, has hauled in another stellar class. A class that includes Naismith prep player of the year Austin Rivers and get this, a third Plumlee brother.

Duke doesn't rebuild, they reload.  

Jared Sullinger Returns to Ohio State Seeking a National Title

Jared Sullinger will look to build off a freshman season that ended in a Sweet 16 appearance and an All-American recognition. Sullinger will move to power forward with the welcomed addition of McDonald's All-American Amir Garrett to the center position Sullinger was miscast to last season.

Sullinger as the focal point, along with a slew of recruits, should ensure that Ohio State will indeed be a candidate to visit New Orleans. 

UConn Seeks a Repeat to Last Year's Title Run

Connecticut's chances at a repeat became stronger when hometown kid Andre Drummond opted against prep school in favor of playing for the defending champion Huskies. Drummond, often compared to NBA All-Star Amare Stoudamire, will team with super sophomore Jeremy Lamb in hopes of reaching the Superdome.

If Lamb's summer playing for the USA under-19 team is any indication, then he's ready to fill Kemba Walker's shoes. UConn may have lost the silky smooth Walker, but the championship pedigree is still present.

John Calipari Looks to Guide Another Youthful Wildcat Team to the Final Four

Big Blue came up a game short of last year's championship contest and lost some integral pieces to its Final Four squad. Yet despite this, they will enter the upcoming season as co-favorites to play for the national championship. 

Calipari has once again reeled in the No. 1 overall class that includes three of the top 10 overall incoming freshman for 2011-2012. Keep an eye out for the release of Kentucky's schedule; there's a rematch of their Elite Eight game that may be a sign of things to come.  

UNC Enters Season as Favorites to Cut Down Nets

First, Tyler Zeller and John Henson announced they would return to Carolina. Then Harrison Barnes passed on waiting around for the NBA lockout to end, ensuring that the Tar Heels would be favorites to win it all. All-Americans James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston will join a nucleus that already is close-knit. 

Despite possibly losing swingman Leslie McDonald for the year to injury, there is not a deeper team in America.