Sweet 16 2015: Updated Bracket and Predictions for Upcoming Games

In just over 24 hours, the next round of the NCAA tournament will officially tip off. March Madness more than lived up to its name in the opening rounds, but the Sweet 16 offers similar upset potential.

There won't be any more 16-game days or No. 14 seeds looking to bust brackets. However, three No. 1 seeds still remain with hot teams hoping to knock them off. That includes undefeated Kentucky, which will face a solid defensive team in West Virginia in the Sweet 16.

In anticipation of the next round of play, here's a look at the updated bracket, predictions and a breakdown of the closest matchup.

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Prediction
March 26	7:15 PM	(7) Wichita St. vs. (3) Notre Dame	Wichita State
March 26	7:47 PM	(4) North Carolina vs. (1) Wisconsin	Wisconsin
March 26	9:45 PM	(5) West Virginia vs. (1) Kentucky	Kentucky
March 26	10:17 PM	(6) Xavier vs. (2) Arizona	Arizona
March 27	7:15 PM	(11) UCLA vs. (2) Gonzaga	Gonzaga
March 27	7:37 PM	(8) NC State vs. (4) Louisville	NC State
March 27	9:45 PM	(5) Utah vs. (1) Duke	Duke
March 27	10:07 PM	(7) Michigan St. vs. (3) Oklahoma	Michigan State

Tightest Matchup: North Carolina vs. Wisconsin

Two traditional powers in college basketball, North Carolina and Wisconsin will collide on Thursday night in what is sure to be a thrilling clash before Kentucky and Arizona both dominate.

The Badgers have been strong all season en route to securing a No. 1 seed thanks in large part to Frank Kaminsky. A 7'0" forward hauling in over eight rebounds per game and shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc? Yeah, that might cause problems for any defense.

UNC coach Roy Williams spoke about just how difficult the feat will be, via ESPN College Basketball:

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UNC head coach Roy Williams knows it'll take a team effort to contain Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky. pic.twitter.com/ermXQEBM3w

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) March 24, 2015"

That job will be even more arduous for the Tar Heels with Kennedy Meeks potentially out for the game. A solid contributor for the Heels when he's on the court, Meeks suffered a knee injury in the game against Arkansas, and Williams doesn't expect him to play, via Bret Strelow of The Fayetteville Observer:

Even if Meeks isn't at full strength or on the court entirely, Carolina has the bigs to compete. Brice Johnson, Justin Jackson and Isaiah Hicks might not be enough to stop Kaminsky, but all three can combat his offensive output.

Johnson, in particular, has shined down the stretch. During the ACC tournament, Johnson provided an offensive spark with 18 points per game. Though he hasn't brought that same thunder in the NCAA tourney, Johnson has 20 total rebounds through the first two games.

The Heels will certainly need that to remain perfect against Bo Ryan and the Badgers:

"

It'll be an interesting matchup between Frank Kaminsky and UNC's frontcourt. Who's your pick to advance? pic.twitter.com/1HAi36hJzG

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) March 24, 2015"

In the end, it will be the Badgers who pull away thanks to a versatile offense with Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes leading the way. But with so much talent on the court for both sides, this promises to be an enthralling matchup on Thursday night.

Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.