NCAA Tournament 2012: Sweet 16 Predictions: Midwest Region

(2) Kansas (29-6) vs. (11) NC State (24-12) – 10:17PM ET, St. Louis, MO, TBS

Kansas is coming off a big-time scare from a tough and underrated Purdue squad. After that and with Bill Self as their coach, there is no chance the Jayhawks will look past NC State in their quest to reach the Final Four.

NC State is a capable team and they have been playing at a high level since the ACC tournament, but they have done nothing to show that they are ready to tackle this type of challenge on this type of stage.

The real draw here will be the match-up between two future NBA forwards. NC State’s C.J. Leslie versus Kansas’ Thomas Robinson is a match-up that is well worth the price of admission and definitely worth two hours of your time to devote to the flat screen. Robinson has performed admirably in these types of match-ups (ask Perry Jones III), so I will give the edge there to Kansas.

Look for coach Mark Gottfried to instill just enough confidence in the Wolfpack to keep this game close, at least for a while, but the Jayhawks are too tested and too tough. This is their time.

Prediction: Kansas 76, NC State 65.