NCAA Tournament 2012: Michigan State and Teams Most Likely to Win National Title

With the 2012 NCAA Tournament field dwindled down from 68 teams to 16, it's time to look at who has the best chance to win four more games and capture the national championship.

This year's tournament has been filled with exciting upsets, which has made some top seeds' chances of getting to New Orleans for the Final Four a bit easier.

Let's look at the three teams who are most likely to win the national title.

 

 

Michigan State, West Region

 

At the beginning of the tournament, the Spartans must have thought they would have to go through a talented Missouri team in a possible Elite Eight matchup.

With the No. 2 seeded Tigers upset in the first round to No. 15 seed Norfolk State, the Spartans' road to the Final Four has gotten a bit easier.

Against Big East champion Louisville in the Sweet 16, the Spartans should be able to out-rebound the Cardinals with their size in the paint and front court depth.

The Spartans are a high-scoring team who are well-coached and don't make foolish mistakes. They are talented enough to beat anyone in this tournament and have a favorable road to get to New Orleans in April.

 

 

Ohio State, East Region

The Buckeyes have a great shot to reach the Final Four with a favorable matchup against No. 6 seed Cincinnati in the Sweet 16 and a possible Elite Eight matchup with No. 1 seed Syracuse or No. 4 Wisconsin.

With Jared Sullinger dominating in the paint at both ends of the floor, Ohio State should be able to defeat the Bearcats and advance to the Elite Eight.

Against either the Orange or Badgers, Sullinger's shot blocking ability and scoring in the low post will be too much to handle. Combine Sullinger's strong play with the Buckeyes' ability to shoot well from the outside and you have a dangerous team that will reach the Final Four.

With a deep lineup and tournament experience, the Buckeyes will dominate the East region and reach the national title game.

 

 

Kentucky, South Region

 

The Wildcats are the most talented team in the NCAA Tournament and don't have a hard road to the Final Four.

When they defeat No. 4 seed Indiana in the Sweet 16 and avenge their regular season loss to the Hoosiers, Kentucky will likely play a very talented but inconsistent Baylor team.

Kentucky, with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist leading the way offensively, will comfortably win the South region and reach the Final Four.

In a possible matchup against the Spartans in the Final Four, the Wildcats have just too much talent and athleticism for Michigan State to contain.

The thing that makes Kentucky so difficult to beat is that they can play any style of basketball and be effective, whether it's a fast paced, up-tempo style, or a slow-it-down half-court game.

Expect the Wildcats to reach the title game and win Head Coach John Calipari his first championship. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1112470-ncaa-tournament-2012-michigan-state-and-teams-most-likely-to-win-national-title

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