NCAA Bracket 2015: Schedule and Updated Predictions Before Sunday's 3rd Round

Following a rambunctious start to the NCAA tournament, the favorites settled down and fended off upsets Friday. As a result, Dayton is the only double-digit seed playing Sunday.

After UAB and Georgia State began March Madness with huge upsets, only three lower seeds won, including a favored Ohio State squad. Fifteen of Sunday's third-round competitors advanced by besting lower seeds, limiting the madness but maximizing the quality of play.

Will following the chalk prevail some more, or will randomness return before establishing the Sweet 16? Here's a look at the upcoming Sunday slate:

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Pick
No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 7 Michigan State	12:10 p.m.	CBS	Michigan State
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 8 San Diego State	2:40 p.m.	CBS	Duke
No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 7 Wichita State	5:15 p.m.	CBS	Kansas
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Dayton	6:10 p.m.	TNT	Oklahoma
No. 2 Gonzaga vs. No. 7 Iowa	7:10 p.m.	TBS	Gonzaga
No. 1 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Oregon	7:45 p.m.	truTV	Wisconsin
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 5 West Virginia	8:40 p.m.	TNT	Maryland
No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 5 Northern Iowa	9:40 p.m.	TBS	Northern Iowa

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Wichita State vs. Kansas

Think the selection committee knew what it was doing pitting these two on a collision course? For the first time in 23 years, Wichita State will get a crack at Kansas.

A year after Kentucky ended its perfect season during the tournament's most anticipated third-round matchup, Wichita State plays a not-so-small David against an in-state Goliath. The big bad titan avoiding the rising little guy makes for great storytelling, but Wichita State's Tekele Cotton warned The Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger against labeling it a feud.

“I don’t call it a rivalry,” Cotton said. “I’m pretty sure in a rivalry the teams play each other often.”

Yet the rarity makes it more tantalizing. Like Eric Cartman forbidding everyone from visiting his amusement park, being told the Shockers can't get a piece of the Jayhawks during the season just makes everyone want to see it more.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Head Coach Gregg Marshall offered some perspective, according to Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton.

“It’s a pride thing,” Marshall said. “It’s not going to cure cancer. It’s not going end world hunger. It’s just a basketball game that people have a lot of interest in, and now they get to see it.”

Throw away conferences and funding, and this game isn't about the underdog slaying the evil mainstay. Although given a No. 7 seed, the Shockers rank No. 13 (as of the end of play March 21) in KenPom.com's team ratings, three spots below the Jayhawks.

The narrative is shouting to pick Kansas, and Bill Self's tight defense will be the deciding factor in a close contest between two great teams.

Prediction: Kansas 74, Wichita State 72

Northern Iowa vs. Louisville

Given its bumpy sailing, No. 4 Louisville is listed as a 2.5-point underdog against No. 5 Northern Iowa, according to Odds Shark. It's not every day Rick Pitino's team is tabbed to lose, but the oddsmakers got it right.

Louisville barely made it here, edging out a 57-55 round-of-64 victory over No. 13 UC Irvine. The Cardinals, who have averaged 60.5 points through their past dozen games, shot a mediocre 41.8 percent from the floor during the unimpressive win.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

A much steeper challenge awaits in Northern Iowa, who rates No. 9 in KenPom.com's team ratings. The Panthers had a much easier time last round, pounding No. 12 Wyoming in a decisive 71-54 win. 

They also exhibited tremendous depth with their bench outscoring the starters Friday. ESPN Stats & Info broke down the reserves' immense contributions on both ends:

Seth Tuttle, the team's leader in points, rebounds and assists, is the only player averaging more than 8.0 points per game for the Panthers. Solid play from everyone is once again necessary to complement Tuttle. Northern Iowa is a slow-paced crew that scores just 65.4 points per game despite its No. 13 adjusted offensive efficiency rating on KenPom.com.

Meanwhile, two of Louisville's top scorers—Chris Jones and Wayne Blackshear—sport field-goal percentages below 40.0 percent. The more prestigious program isn't always the better one, and that will show when the superior Panthers ride a methodical attack to victory.

Prediction: Northern Iowa 63, Louisville 58