Home

Buy Sports Picks

Free Sports Picks

Sports Betting Forum

Members Login

Article Archives

Contact Us

Leaderboard

Who's Hot

Recent Results

2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket Predictions

The field of 68 has been set for the 2012 NCAA Tournament. It is now time to sift through each region and make my bracket picks as I do every year. I will give my predictions on which teams advance from the play-in games, all the way to the eventual national champion. You can use my predictions to help fill out your bracket, which will hopefully allow you to win however many pools you decide to enter. Download Jack Jones’ completed tournament bracket.

Round 1 Play-In Game Winners: Western Kentucky, BYU, Lamar, South Florida

South Region

Round of 64 – Kentucky gets by Western Kentucky in a battle of in-state foes. Iowa State beats Connecticut, Wichita State tops VCU, and Indiana squeaks past Indiana. I have Colorado pulling off the upset over UNLV, Baylor topping South Dakota State, Xavier knocking off Notre Dame, and Duke obviously getting past Lehigh.

Round of 32 – I like Kentucky to make easy work of Iowa State, and for Wichita State to continue their remarkable season and make the Sweet 16 with a win over Indiana. Baylor advances over Colorado while Duke tops Xavier.

Sweet 16 – Kentucky gets all they want from Wichita State, but finds a way to advance. Duke wins a shootout over Baylor in a game that sees little defense.

Elite 8 – Kentucky has been the best team in the country all season, and not even Coach K and the Blue Devils can come up with the kind of game that it would take to knock them off.

Final Four Participant – Kentucky

West Region

Round of 64 – Michigan State cruises past Long Island to face Saint Louis, which pulls off a small upset over Memphis. Long Beach State wins their 12/5 match-up over New Mexico, and Louisville gets past Davidson. Murray State and Marquette both advance to face each other in a shootout. Florida squeaks by Virginia, and Missouri rolls over Norfolk State.

Round of 32 – Michigan State tops St. Louis, while Louisville beats Long Beach State for a second time this season. Murray State pulls off the upset over Marquette, and Missouri knocks off Florida to advance to the Sweet 16.

Sweet 16 – Louisville continues their momentum from winning the Big East Tournament. They upset Michigan State as the Cardinals utilize their full-court press to do it, which is something the Spartans aren’t used to dealing with. Missouri makes easy work of Murray State.

Elite 8 – This is one of the most intriguing games of the entire tournament as Louisville and Missouri meet in a battle of teams that like to attack full court. Missouri just does it a little bit better, and they advance to the Final Four.

Final Four Participant – Missouri

East Region

Round of 64 – Syracuse tops NC-Asheville to face off with Kansas State, which makes easy work of Southern Miss. Vanderbilt has trouble with Harvard, but finds a way to win it in the end. Wisconsin tops Montana with rather ease. Cincinnati and Florida State both advance, while Gonzaga and Ohio State move on as chalk as well.

Round of 32 – Syracuse wins a close one over Kansas State. Vanderbilt continues their momentum from winning the SEC Tournament and gets past Wisconsin. Cincinnati upsets Florida State to face Ohio State, which knocks out Gonzaga.

Sweet 16 – Syracuse advances over Vanderbilt in a nail-biter, and Ohio State puts an end to Cincinnati’s magical run.

Elite 8 – The Buckeyes have the size inside to match-up with the Orange behind one of the best players in the tournament in Jared Sullinger. Ohio State advances.

Final Four Participant – Ohio State

Midwest Region

Round of 64 – North Carolina wins over 16-seed Lamar, which plays a rather competitive game behind the coaching of Pat Knight. Alabama’s defensive-minded approach outlasts the offensive-minded style of Creighton. Underrated Temple gets by South Florida to face Michigan, which blows out Ohio. NC State upsets San Diego State and Georgetown survives Belmont. St. Mary’s and Kansas each advance to complete the region.

Round of 32 – North Carolina proves to be too much for Alabama, which doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up. Michigan wins a nail-biter over Temple, while Georgetown ousts NC State and Kansas knocks off St. Mary’s.

Sweet 16 – North Carolina puts a beat down on Michigan to advance to the Elite 8. Kansas escapes with a victory over Georgetown to set up a showdown with the Tar Heels.

Elite 8 – UNC simply has too much size and athleticism inside with Zeller and Henson for the Jayhawks to compete. They also have the better point guard in Marshall, who outduels Tyshawn Taylor. The Tar Heels advance over Kansas.

Final Four Participant – North Carolina

Final Four – Missouri upsets Kentucky as their attacking full court style prevails and forces the Wildcats off their game.  North Carolina ousts Ohio State as Zeller and Henson combine to be much more effective than Sullinger inside.

Championship: Missouri vs. North Carolina – In one of the highest-scoring title games in tournament history, the Tigers outlast the Tar Heels in a shootout.  Missouri turns it into an up-tempo game and forces UNC to play at their pace, which offsets the advantage that the Tar Heels have inside.  UNC is unable to capitalize on their advantage in half-court offense as a result.