NCAA Tournament 2012 Schedule: TV Schedule for All of Thursday's Round 2 Action

One of the most exciting days in sports is set to kick off on Thursday as the NCAA tournament's Round of 64 slate will begin. Half of the round's 32 contests will take place today on the CBS family of networks, which also includes TBS, TNT and truTV.

While the tournament as a whole is always fantastic, the first two days are special since there is great potential for upsets and there are games on throughout the day. If you decided to take the day off from work or school, or you're home "sick," then this is your guide to today's March Madness happenings.

Here are a few games you won't want to miss today, as well as a full television schedule for Thursday's matchups.

VCU vs. Wichita State, 7:15 p.m. ET (CBS)

This battle will feature last year's mid-major darlings, the VCU Rams, against a team that could be quite similar this season in the Wichita State Shockers. While the Shockers aren't prohibitive underdogs like the Rams were last season due to their No. 5 seed, it would be a surprise to see them maker a deep run, although they are perfectly capable.

The Rams have a very different team from last season, but it isn't inconceivable to think they could catch lightning in a bottle again. Wichita State has a great inside-out combo of Garrett Stutz and Joe Ragland, though, so it won't be easy to beat. These are two of the best smaller-conference teams in the nation and whoever advances will be a thorn in the side of their next opponent.

West Virginia vs. Gonzaga, 7:20 p.m. ET (TNT)

In what might be the most closely contested matchup of the day, the No. 10 West Virginia Mountaineers will go up against the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs. West Virginia was considered to be a bubble team on Selection Sunday as they went just 19-13 on the season, but the selection committee was obviously impressed enough with its performance in the brutally tough Big East.

Gonzaga, on the other hand, is always a mid-major power, and that remained true this season. The Bulldogs play spectacular team basketball, but they will go up against a Mountaineers squad that possesses a couple studs. Both Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant are capable of taking over a game for West Virginia, but it will be interesting to see if that is enough to outdo a deep and skilled Gonzaga team.

Western Kentucky vs. Kentucky, 6:50 p.m. ET (TBS)

This one promises to be a one-sided affair, but there is plenty of reason to check out the No. 16 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers against the top overall seed in the Kentucky Wildcats. For one, the in-state battle offers a bit of intrigue, but Western Kentucky is also a feel-good story. The Hilltoppers only have a 16-18 record, but they went on a late run to win the Sun Belt and came from way behind to beat Mississippi Valley State in the play-in game.

They won't be any match for the Wildcats though, of course, so the main reason to tune in is to see Kentucky's skill in action. The Wildcats have one of the deepest, most athletic and most talented teams in the nation, and they will likely be able to have their way with the Hilltoppers. That alone is certainly going to draw some viewers.

Thursday's NCAA Second-Round Schedule

No. 11 Colorado State vs. No. 6 Murray State at 12:15 p.m. ET (CBS)

No. 9 Southern Mississippi vs. No. 8 Kansas State at 12:40 p.m. ET (TRU)

No. 13 Davidson vs. No. 4 Louisville at 1:40 p.m. ET (TBS)

No. 13 Montana vs. No. 4 Wisconsin at 2:10 p.m. ET (TNT)

No. 14 BYU vs. No. 3 Marquette at 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS)

No. 16 UNC-Asheville vs. No. 1 Syracuse at 3:10 p.m. ET (TRU)

No. 12 Long Beach State vs. No. 5 New Mexico at 4:10 p.m. ET (TBS)

No. 12 Harvard vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt at 4:40 p.m. ET (TNT)

No. 16 Western Kentucky vs. No. 1 Kentucky at 6:50 p.m. ET (TBS)

No. 12 VCU vs. No. 5 Wichita State at 7:15 p.m. ET (CBS)

No. 10 West Virginia vs. No. 7 Gonzaga at 7:20 p.m. ET (TNT)

No. 14 South Dakota State vs. No. 3 Baylor at 7:27 p.m. ET (TRU)

No. 9 Connecticut vs. No. 8 Iowa State at 9:20 p.m. ET (TBS)

No. 13 New Mexico State vs. No. 4 Indiana at 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS)

No. 15 Loyola (Md.) vs. No. 2 Ohio State at 9:50 p.m. ET (TNT)

No. 11 Colorado vs. No. 6 UNLV at 9:57 ET (TRU)