March Madness 2014: Updated Bracket and Predictions for Toughest Games

Chris RolingMar 21, 2014

The first day of the 2014 Madness was wild to say the least, with major upsets and last-second finishes that kept fans locked to the tube for more than 12 hours.

And we're just getting started.

Day 2 of the round of 64 has arrived, and more evenly matched teams are set to partake in the action. Plus, who knows? Like Thursday when No. 16 Albany gave No. 1 Florida a run for its money, anything can happen.

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Here is a look at the full slate of games, with a few breakdowns after the jump.

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Predicted Winner
Duke (3) vs. Mercer (14)	12:15 p.m.	CBS	Duke
Baylor (6) vs. Nebraska (11)	12:40 p.m.	truTV	Baylor
New Mexico (7) vs. Stanford (10)	1:40 p.m.	TBS	New Mexico
Arizona (1) vs. Weber State (16)	2:10 p.m.	TNT	Arizona
Massachusetts (6) vs. Tennessee (11)	2:45 p.m.	CBS	Tennessee
Creighton (3) vs. LA-Lafayette (14)	3:10 p.m.	truTV	Creighton
Kansas (2) vs. Eastern Kentucky (15)	4:10 p.m.	TBS	Kansas
Gonzaga (8) vs. Oklahoma State (9)	4:40 p.m.	TNT	Oklahoma St.
Memphis (8) vs. George Washington (9)	6:55 p.m.	TBS	Memphis
Wichita State (1) vs. Cal Poly (16)	7:10 p.m.	CBS	Wichita St.
North Carolina (6) vs. Providence (11)	7:20 p.m.	TNT	Providence
VCU (5) vs. Stephen F. Austin (12)	7:27 p.m.	truTV	VCU
Virginia (1) vs. Coastal Carolina (16)	9:25 p.m.	TBS	Virginia
Kentucky (8) vs. Kansas State (9)	9:40 p.m.	CBS	Kentucky
Iowa State (3) vs. North Carolina Central (14)	9:50 p.m.	TNT	Iowa State
UCLA (4) vs. Tulsa (13)	9:57 p.m.	truTV	UCLA

Kentucky (8) vs. Kansas State (9)

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 14: Dakari Johnson #44 and Julius Randle #30 of the Kentucky Wildcats react after Randle drew a foul against LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 14, 2014 in Atlanta, Geor

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Two Wildcats with plenty to prove will highlight the action on Friday.

For Kentucky, now is a chance to prove that a sluggish regular season for one of the national powerhouses was a fluke, and that a jaw-dropping recruiting class has what it takes in the clutch to take home a title.

For Kansas State, it's the chance to slay a giant and prove it belongs after a miserable 10-8 record in the Big 12.

Kentucky's Aaron Harrison, one of the starting freshmen for the Wildcats, is looking forward to the opportunity to prove the nation wrong, according to The Associated Press, via USA Today: "It's a chance for us to validate what people said we could do at the beginning of the year. We became much better in the last month or so, especially in the last two weeks. It's a new season, we get another opportunity to play, and just go out there and have fun and see what we can do."

In the NCAA tournament, a talent disparity does not mean much—but it has to count for something when the gap is this wide, as Rick Bozich of WDRB points out:

Kentucky is simply a better team on both ends of the court. The defense is elite and holds opponents to an average of 66.6 points per game while averaging in the top 20 in rebounds (26.6) and blocks (6.2). On offense, the combo of Julius Randle (15 points per game) and James Young (14.5) will be too much for Kansas State to handle now that Kentucky is finally hitting a stride at the right time.

Prediction: Kentucky 67, Kansas State 60

Gonzaga (8) vs. Oklahoma State (9)

Mar 12, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) looks to pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half in the first round of the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medl

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With a date against No. 1 Arizona likely on the line, both Gonzaga and Oklahoma State would be wise not to look past each other on Friday.

Not only that, the two sides know each other well, which may give the Cowboys an advantage, according to Fran Fraschilla of ESPN:

He raises a good point, but it is important to remember the Cowboys are undersized against the Bulldogs beneath the rim thanks to Przemek Karnowski (7'1") and Sam Dower Jr. (6'9"), who both average more than 10 points and six rebounds per game.

Even better, the Bulldogs rank No. 5 in the nation in field-goal percentage, although that number is inflated thanks to WCC play. They have dropped games to the likes of Dayton, Kansas State, Memphis and BYU.

For Oklahoma State, that's the silver lining. The Cowboys are a tough squad that is accustomed to close encounters thanks to the Big 12. They have the star power with names like Marcus Smart and the overall quality defense to silence the Bulldogs before moving on to take down a No. 1 seed.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 73, Gonzaga 70