NCAA Tournament Bracket 2015: Updated Sweet 16 Schedule and Picks

The long-awaited start of the NCAA tournament came and went quickly with six days of riveting action. Now, with only 16 teams remaining, the pressure is heightened for each program looking to make a trip to the Elite Eight and then the Final Four.

For teams like Kentucky, Michigan State and Duke, this is familiar territory for the coaching staffs and some players. NC State and Arizona, on the other hand, are looking to finally advance to the Final Four after a long lull.

Before anyone can make it to Indianapolis, they'll have to survive the Sweet 16 against opponents who want to reach the holy grail just as much as their opposition. Here's a look at the updated schedule, picks and most intriguing Thursday game to watch.

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

Most Intriguing Matchup: Arizona vs. Xavier

The NCAA clearly doesn't like to set up storylines. No, of course not. That's clearly not why it put Xavier and Arizona not only in the same region but also in the bottom half of the bracket together.

What that leaves us with is an enticing matchup with plenty of background.

Sean Miller was brought in as an assistant coach at Xavier after Chris Mack left to join Wake Forest. When Miller was promoted to head coach for the Musketeers, he brought Mack back to the program. In 2009, Miller departed to take over Arizona, leaving Mack to take over the Xavier program.

With all of that history between the two, Mack was straightforward about his thoughts, via Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports:

Not only is he facing his friend, but Mack also has to prepare for one of the best teams in the country.

Arizona is strong inside and out, but Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been the difference recently. The 6'7" forward not only has the talent at this level but has also shown leadership as a sophomore.

Revered for his offensive game, Hollis-Jefferson showed his skill at both ends of the floor against Ohio State. ESPN Stats & Info and Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated noted just how effective the sophomore has been thus far in the first two games:

It will be tough to compete with Arizona's inside game, but Xavier has some solid forwards to combat Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson.

Matt Stainbrook and Trevon Bluiett are both great players, but only Stainbrook has stepped up thus far in the tournament. The senior forward has 29 points and 15 rebounds through the first two games, while Bluiett has made more of a difference on the defensive end.

Given his team's overall play, Mack isn't worried about his team competing on Thursday, via Xavier's official account:

Arizona will eventually pull out the win, but expect this game to be a tight one that goes down to the final possession. Miller has too much talent to lose to Mack, but their familiarity will make for an interesting showdown regardless of the outcome.

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