NCAA Tournament: Kentucky makes Sweet Sixteen history vs. West Virginia

Results

3 Notre Dame 81, 7 Wichita State 70

1 Wisconsin 79, 4 North Carolina 72

1 Kentucky 78, 5 West Virginia 39

2 Arizona, 68, 6 Xavier 60

12:52 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona and Wisconsin will face off to decide the West Region in a 1-2 matchup for the second year in a row.

12:50 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona closed the game on a 19-7 run.

12:49 a.m. ET (Bottero) - 2 Arizona, 68, 6 Xavier 60

12:48 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Matt Stainbrook checks out for Xavier. He had himself a heck of a tournament.

12:47 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Xavier fails to hit from three, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson grabs the board and gets fouled. He'll go to the line with a chance to ice this one.

12:46 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona's T.J. McConnell extends the Wildcats' lead to six from the line. Timeout Xavier.

12:43 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Xavier gets off a bad shot, then takes a while fouling. 32.9 left to play with Arizona ahead 64-60.

12:42 a.m. ET (Bottero) - It took some time and Xavier gets a stop. Ball went out of bounds and the officials go to the monitor. Looks like the Musketeers touched it last but the officials give them the ball. 

12:38 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Myles Davis knocks down a triple for Xavier to give the Musketeers some life. Timeout Xavier.

12:37 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Unlike West Virginia, Kentucky saving its talk for after the game.

12:35 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona looks to be putting its final touches on this game. Wildcats currently on a 15-4 run. Xavier trails 64-57 with 1:46 to play. Musketeers don't have a field goal in 7:17.

12:31 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona up to 10 fouls. Both teams will shoot two the rest of the way. Wildcats in front 60-57 inside three minutes.

12:26 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Devin Booker with a little jab at West Virginia's Dexter Miles Jr., who said Kentucky would fall to 36-1 today.

12:25 a.m. ET (Bottero) - T.J. McConnell knocks down a triple and Arizona now on a 9-1 run and in front 58-54 entering the under-4 timeout. 3:51 to go. Stainbrook heading to the line on the other side of the break.

12:22 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Matt Stainbrook heading to the bench for a quick breather with just over five minutes to play. Arizona leads 55-53. He's gassed, but Xavier desperately needs him out there.

12:17 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Going into another timeout and its still just a two-point game with Xavier ahead 53-51. This one's going to go down to the wire. Arizona in some trouble.

12:13 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Xavier up 51-49 and heading to the line on the other side of the under-8 timeout.

12:10 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Karl-Anthony Towns, a starter for Kentucky who could be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft in a few months, didn't record a single field goal tonight, and the Wildcats still doubled up West Virginia.

12:06 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Gabe York's knocking down long-range shots for Arizona coming off the bench. Jalen Reynolds doing it for Xavier off the bench.

12:03 a.m. ET (Bottero) - Next up for Notre Dame is Kentucky in the Midwest Region final.

12:02 a.m. ET (Bottero) - The previous low for points in a Sweet Sixteen game in the shot-clock era was 43 by Miami-Ohio in 1999. The RedHawks' opponent that night - Kentucky.

12:01 a.m. ET (Bottero) - 1 Kentucky, 78 5 West Virginia 39

12:00 a.m. ET (Bottero) - In come the walk-ons for Kentucky with 38 seconds to play. The Wildcats will set the record for fewest points surrendered in a Sweet Sixteen game in the shot-clock era.

11:57 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Gabe York knocks down his third triple of the game for Arizona. At the other end, Matt Stainbrook goes and completes a double-double.

11:54 p.m. ET (Bottero) - At the under-4 timeout in Cleveland, Kentucky leads West Virginia 74-36. The fewest points scored by one team in a Sweet Sixteen game in the shot-clock era is 43.

11:52 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Xavier knocks down a triple, Arizona goes the other way and knocks one down themselves. Neither side giving an inch.

11:50 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona and Xavier still all knotted up at the under-16 timeout. Game tied 35-35.

11:49 p.m. ET (Bottero) - In transition off a steal, Andrew Harrison scores a downright filthy basket, fighting through contact and scoring on a layup that he pretty well just blindly tossed over his head. He completed the three-point play from the line.

11:48 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Karl-Anthony Towns picks up his first point of the night from the free throw line. Kentucky leads 67-32.

11:42 p.m. ET (Bottero) - The second half is underway in Los Angeles. Game knotted at 28 per side. In Cleveland, Kentucky leads West Virginia 66-30 entering the under-8 timeout.

11:38 p.m. ET (Bottero) - So, looks like a dislocated finger for Aaron Harrison. Ouch.

11:34 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Karl-Anthony Towns has no points or rebounds and four fouls. Wouldn't know it by looking at the scoreboard.

11:32 p.m. ET (Bottero) - West Virginia scores out of the timeout, then forces a steal and scores immediately. Here come the Mountaineers. Down just 31 now.

11:29 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Kentucky leads 54-19 at the under-12 timeout. So much for that guaranteed victory, West Virginia.

11:28 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Nearing the eight-minute mark of the second half and West Virginia has just a single point since the break.

11:24 p.m. ET (Bottero) - The fewest points scored in a Sweet Sixteen game in the shot clock era is 43 by Miami-Ohio in 1999. That's definitely in play in Cleveland.

11:20 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona and Xavier enter the break tied 28-28. The Mountaineers shot 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first half.

11:19 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Aaron Harrison got his finger taped up. Looks like he may re-enter the game.

11:15 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Aaron Harrison heads off the court in a ton of distress grabbing at his left hand, but before evening making it to the locker room he re-routes and makes his way onto the bench.

11:10 p.m. ET (Bottero) - The second half of that bloodbath in Cleveland is underway.

11:07 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Xavier playing some great basketball to hang around with Arizona. The Musketeers are heading to the line with a chance to draw even.

11:02 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona leads Xavier 22-18 entering the under-8 timeout. Both teams shooting around 43 percent from the field.

11:00 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Reminder: West Virginia's Daxter Miles Jr. from Wednesday: "I give them their props... Salute them to getting to 36-0. But tomorrow they're gonna be 36-1." Kentucky leads 44-18 at the half.

10:58 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Think Xavier's Matt Stainbrook doesn't look like an athlete? Check this out:

10:56 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Rachel Nichols reporting on TBS that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a sprained knee. He walked on it in the locker room and the team determined he's fit to return.

10:53 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Looked like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson banged knees with a teammate that ran into him. He gave a thumbs up to the trainer as he got up, then walked to the locker room under his own power. He was evaluated and is back out on the floor.

10:50 p.m. ET (Bottero) - There were 25 fouls in the first half. 14 of them against West Virginia. Six players have two fouls. 

10:49 p.m. ET (Bottero) - In his halftime interview, John Calipari noting that his idea to "press a pressing team" is a piece of advice he's stolen from Bob Huggins.

10:48 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Kentucky taking a 44-18 lead into the break. Kentucky shot 60.9 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from beyond the arc in the first half. West Virginia shot 19.2 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from beyond the arc.

10:46 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Juwan Staten knocks down a contested 3-pointer from the top of the arc. The Mountaineers will need plenty of those as they still trail by 24 points.

10:44 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson down grabbing his knee as that game goes to break. Have to hope he's alright.

10:39 p.m. ET (Bottero) - At the under-4 timeout in Cleveland, Kentucky's lead is 37-15.

10:36 p.m. ET (Bottero) - They're underway in Los Angeles on the 2-6 matchup between Arizona and Xavier. The tip comes a little under 20 minutes late.

10:34 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Looks like Coach Cal's had a lesson or two from Phil Jackson.

10:32 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Kentucky ahead 33-11 entering a TV timeout with 5:33 remaining in the first half. West Virginia could really use that break.

10:30 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Willie Cauley-Stein blocks a shot without even leaving the ground, the ball goes the other way and Kentucky knocks down a 3-pointer. This isn't fair.

10:26 p.m. ET (Bottero) - A point was taken off of West Virginia's total during the break. A 3-pointer was turned into a two-pointer. It's actually 30-9. Ugh.

10:23 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Devin Booker knocks down a triple from the left elbow and Kentucky heads into the under-8 timeout up 30-10.

10:20 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Trey Lyles drives baseline and fights through contact for the and-1. He converted from the line and extends Kentucky's lead to 26-10.

10:17 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Kentucky doing a great job of breaking down the Mountaineer press, but more concerning for West Virginia has been the Wildcats' ability to knock down jumpers. Uncharacteristic of this year's Kentucky team.

10:12 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Tyler Ulis with an alley-oop toss that looked like it was headed for the moon was snagged out of the air and thrown down by Marcus Lee. Highlight-reel play. TV timeout.

10:10 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Aaron Harrison misses a pair of free throws. Kentucky saves the offensive board from going out of bounds and it eventually works back to Harrison who will go to the line to shoot another two free throws. That's the eighth foul against West Virginia and they haven't even hit the seven-minute mark.

10:07 p.m. ET (Bottero) - A little over six minutes into the game and West Virginia has only two points. The Wildcats are using their length to force the Mountaineers to adjust their shots. West Virginia 1-of-8 from the field thus far. 14-2 Kentucky. TV timeout.

10:04 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Prior to tonight's loss, North Carolina had won 11 in a row in the Sweet Sixteen. Their last loss in the Sweet Sixteen came in 1992.

10:01 p.m. ET (Bottero) - The score remains the same going into the under-7 timeout. No points for the Mountaineers since coming out of the timeout, but it does feel like they've got their confidence back.

9:56 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Hate to say this so early, but it's starting to feel like Kentucky is ready to take over, so it isn't surprising Bob Huggins takes a timeout following an Aaron Harrison 3-pointer. Five fouls thus far. Four of them called against West Virginia.

9:53 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Bad news for West Virginia in the late game in Cleveland as Devin Williams heads to the bench with a pair of fouls just 1:14 into the game. Bob Huggins is certainly not happy with that foul.

No. 1 Wisconsin d. No. 4 North Carolina, 79-72
9:52 p.m. ET (Murphy) - It's a final in Cleveland. Sam Dekker scores a career-high 23 and Wisconsin survives a serious scare from UNC with a 79-72 final.

9:51 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Kaminsky hits a pair, UNC misses a far-too-deep three and this one is more or less over.

We're underway between WVU and Kentucky, by the way, and the Mountaineers commit a backcourt violation to open the game.

9:49 p.m. ET (Murphy) - UNC hits a pair and it's 75-72 with 16.7 seconds to go. This is going to be tough with Wisconsin shooting 76.1 percent from the line as a team.

9:45 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Wisconsin's sent to the line and Bronson Koenig hits a pair. Josh Gasser is whistled for a loose ball foul the other way but Isaiah Hicks misses both, and that may do it. Nigel Hayes hits a pair for Wisconsin, and UNC now trails 75-70 with 23 seconds left and no timeouts.

9:43 p.m. ET (Murphy) - The lead's back down to one! UNC ran the exact same play again for another Marcus Paige triple. The team is 8-of-11 from outside and they trail by a point with 54 seconds on the clock.

9:42 p.m. ET (Murphy) - The Badgers' ATO play didn't work. Frank Kaminsky panicked a bit late in the clock. No matter, because Sam Dekker is seriously on one. Dekker scored a degree-of-difficulty basket as the shot clock ran out to push the lead back to four at 71-67 with just 63 seconds remaining.

That's a career-high 23 for Dekker.

9:41 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Marcus PAIG3! Paige hits from outside to cut the lead back to two with 99 seconds left. UNC is somehow 7-of-10 from outside on the night.

9:39 p.m. ET (Murphy) - West Virginia and Kentucky will tip off on time at 9:45, for as much as that's worth to you when an UNREAL GAME IS IN THE FINAL THREE MINUTES YOU CLOWN. Seriously, UNC-Wisconsin is awesome.

9:35 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Josh Gasser sinks a triple, his second of the game, and it's 68-64 Wisconsin with 3:09 to play. That's not made possible without the beastly rebounding of Sam Dekker. Dude plays like a strong safety on defense and a running back on offense. He's got 21-and-8.

9:34 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Frank Kaminsky just threw the ball out of bounds trying to hit nobody with a high-low feed. UNC couldn't capitalize, though, and it's still 65-64 Wisconsin with 3:40 to go.

9:33 p.m. ET (Murphy) - This was bound to happen:

9:31 p.m. ET (Murphy) - And now Sam Dekker adds two. It's 65-60 Wisconsin out of nowhere, and UNC is running for the hills, finally calling a timeout. They aren't even on the ropes. They thought they had Wisconsin on the ropes and then fell through them completely going for a light jab.

9:29 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Frank Kaminsky is 7-foot and can hit threes. That's a tough check. He just drained a triple, and then Zak Showalter snuck free on a backdoor cut for two, then had a steal-and-bucket. It's suddenyl 63-60- Wisconsin.

9:25 p.m. ET (Murphy) - A quick game reset for you: UNC leads 57-54 with 7:43 to play. The Heels have five timeouts and are in the bonus with the possession arrow. Wisconsin has three timeouts and is in the bonus. Brice Johnson (UNC) and Bronson Koenig (Wisconsin) have four fouls, while Kennedy meeks (UNC) and Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) have three.

No. 3 Notre Dame d. No. 7 Wichita State, 81-70
9:23 p.m. ET (Murphy) - As a matter of bookkeeping, Notre Dame closed out the game against Wichita State just fine. Demetrius Jackson had 20 points, Pat Connaughton had 10 rebounds and Jerian Grant had 11 assists for the Irish, while Fred VanVleet and Darius Carter combined for 47 points for the Shockers.

9:20 p.m. ET (Murphy) - The shot to the head may have woken Frank Kaminsky up. He hits a pair of freebies to give him 12 points on the night, and Wisconsin pulls back within a point. Brice Johnson has four fouls for UNC, a bit of a concern since he has 14 points.

9:18 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Kaminsky is OK but he'll forever be goofy looking. Tough break. Also OK? Wisconsin's chances of a comeback, as a Nigel Hayes two and-one caps a 6-0 run to pull them within a point. 53-52 UNC with 9:32 to play.

9:13 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Frank Kaminsky just took a swat to the right eye on an Isaiah Hicks' layup follow through. He was down on the floor for a bit. Also in his eye: All these UNC makers. They're up 53-46 with 11:11 (satisfying) to play.

9:12 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Notre Dame last made the Elite Eight when Bill Laimbeer was on the team. It was 1979.

9:10 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Maybe Jerian Grant wanted to pad the stats. Maybe he's just a bad man. Either way, this was an unkind way to close out a game that wasn't all that close.

9:07 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Your attention can safely switch to UNC-Wisconsin for the remainder of this block. Note Dame's up 75-61 with two minutes to play, while UNC is clinging to a 49-44 lead against Wisconsin with 12:45 to play.

9:02 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Up 43-40 and holding Wisconsin to 40 percent shooting, UNC has started flashing zone coverage at the Badgers. It's a bit odd considering their defense has been strong and they probably don't want to dare Wisconsin to shoot threes, but it may be a way to neutralize a potential Frank Kaminsky outburst.

8:58 p.m. ET (Murphy) - It might be over in Cleveland. It's 75-56 for Notre Dame with 4:36 to go, and Wichita State not only can't score but also can't stop the Fighting Irish attack. That attack's been led by Jerian Grant's distributing, as he's got 11 dimes to make up for a poor shooting night so far.

8:57 p.m. ET (Murphy) - His stat line doesn't jump out yet with 10 points and two dimes, but Wisconsin's had a real tough time with Justin Jackson. UNC's up 41-40 early in the second half. Frank Kaminsky is, you guessed it, making funny faces.

8:52 p.m. ET (Murphy) - I'm not sure what the answer is here for Wichita State. Notre Dame has their biggest lead of the game at 70-56, there's only 6:18 left and the Shockers are shooting 41.8 percent. It'd be a good time for Ron Baker to show back up or Tekele Cotton to enter the building.

8:51 p.m. ET (Murphy) - UNC and Wisconsin are out of the break in L.A., but keep your attention on Notre DaOH MY GOODNESS ZACH AUGUSTE with the alley-oop. It's 70-56 Notre Dame with six minutes to go. What a dunk that way, geez.

8:49 p.m. ET (Murphy) - There's been some office discussion about Jerian Grant's quiet offensive night, but I'm not worried. He's effectively shutdown Tekele Cotton on the other side and while he's got just four points, Grant has nine dimes. The Irish have the manpower to let Grant defend and facilitate like this when his shot isn't dropping or his lanes aren't there.

8:46 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Wichita State can't score. Luckily, they can't get offensive rebounds and get fouled. They're shooting 40 percent but remain within eight points at 56-48 thanks to nine offensive boards and 14 free throws made.

8:43 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Sam Decker - not Sam Dekker - is trending on Twitter. Get this man some respect.

8:40 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Fred VanVleet is answering Demetrius Jackson's call with 16 points of his own. The two going toe-to-toe is basically like ... wait, here's footage:

8:37 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Also that dude tonight: Demetrius Jackson. Notre Dame's 2015 rising star has 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting to help build Notre Dame's 50-42 lead. There are 14 minutes to play in that one, so Wichita State could use a run sooner than later.

8:34 p.m. ET (Murphy) - That UNC lead would have been larger were it not for a buzzer-beating put-back effort from Sam Dekker. He's got 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting with six rebounds, helping fill a bit of a Frank Kaminsky void (2-of-7 for four points).

8:32 p.m. ET (Murphy) - It's upset watch all over the place. UNC has taken a 33-31 lead over Wisconsin into the half on the back of eight points from Brice Johnson and scoring contributions from 10 different players, while Wichita State remains in striking distance of Notre Dame, down 43-40 early in the second half.

8:26 p.m. ET (Murphy) - We're back in Cleveland and just about to close the half in L.A. UNC has finally realized that Wisconsin is slow, and with Frank Kaminsky struggling, the Tar Heels have been able to grab a five-point lead at 33-28.

8:22 p.m. ET (Murphy) - You know who's going to be a better NBA player than Frank Kaminsky, despite going 10-15 spots later in the draft and not winning a Player of the Year award? Teammate Sam Dekker. Dude's a beast, and he's showing as much tonight with 13 points on 5-of-7 with three rebounds. Really like his chances of being a quality bench player at the next level.

8:19 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Both of these games have been a ton of fun so far. Notre Dame and Wichita State (33-30) is about to come back from the half, and UNC and Wisconsin (28-27) are going blow for blow at the final TV timeout of the half.

8:15 p.m. ET (Murphy) - That Meeks-Kaminsky matchup now has Meeks playing with two fouls. Wisconsin's now out in front 25-20 thanks to a 10-1 run. Sam Dekker is en fuego with 13 points.

8:09 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Not-so-breaking news: A hobbled Kennedy Meeks cannot guard Frank Kaminsky. Kaminsky has missed a few decent looks and is 1-of-5, but when his regular shots start dropping, he's really going to get rolling.

As it stands, UNC is up 19-17 about 12 minutes in.

8:04 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Notre Dame's hot offensive start cooled appreciably, with the Fighting Irish shooting 6-of-22 after a 6-of-7 start. It's been enough to hang on to a lead, as they enter half up 33-30, led by Pat Connaughton's nine points and seven rebounds.

Fred VanVleet has 10 for Wichita State, flanked by Ron Baker and Darius Carter with nine apiece.

8:01 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Not sure if anyone else knew this, but Fred VanVleet has a lot of power at Wichita State. The broadcast just referred to him as the team's "Supreme Leader." Real talk, that's a lot of responsibility for a 21-year-old.

8:00 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Wisconsin kept Traevon Jackson's status pretty quiet all day. Jackson said he was playing but Bo Ryan was noncommittal on using him. Well, he's in the game, and immediately canned a triple.

7:57 p.m. ET (Murphy) - The broadcast is speculating that something's wrong with Fred VanVleet because he's got just five points. It's probably all of Notre Dame's defenders. In any case, they're only down 33-28, so VanVleet's slow start hasn't killed them by any means.

7:54 p.m. ET (Murphy) - So, about that Wisconsin size advantage: They have four offensive rebounds on six missed shots. They only lead 6-4 after four minutes, but this is a really tough way for UNC to open.

7:52 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Brice Johnson has two dunks already. Get those awful "Brice is right" jokes ready for your post-game tweets.

7:51 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Pat Connaughton may be a better baseball prospect than basketball one - he's a member of the Baltimore Orioles organization and had a 2.51 ERA in low-A ball last summer - but he's playing pretty well on the hardwood right now. He has nine points and a game-high six rebounds for the Fighting Irish, who lead 31-25.

7:48 p.m. ET (Murphy) - We're underway in L.A., with UNC missing their opening attempt against Wisconsin. Frank Kaminsky is 0-of-1, so the hype ain't real.

7:46 p.m. ET (Murphy) - The spaghetti I'm eating is delicious.

7:43 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Fred VanVleet and Tekele Cotton have a combined two points but the Shockers remain firmly in the game 12 minutes in. That's a minor surprise, but Ron Baker and Darius Carter have been great. It will be interesting to see if Notre Dame keeps the status quo or switches defensive assignments to slow Baker, risking Cotton heating up.

7:40 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Also hot in Cleveland: A very intense Kentucky fan.

7:39 p.m. ET (Murphy) - It's been a pretty terrific game in Cleveland so far. Wichita State is hanging around, down 25-20 despite Notre Dame's ridiculous start. Ron Baker has nine points to lead the way.

7:30 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Over in Los Angeles, Kennedy Meeks will start for UNC.

7:26 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Don't be fooled by Jerian Grant having no points in an 18-5 start for the Fighting Irish - he's already tallied four assists and grabbed a rebound. His ability to contribute in ways other than scoring is a big reason NBA teams are high on his potential at the next level.

7:22 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Make it 6-of-7 and 15-5 for Notre Dame. Yikes.

7:19 p.m. ET (Murphy) - It would be tough to start out hotter than Notre Dame has. They're 4-of-5 overall and 3-of-4 from outside, opening up an early 11-5 lead. Demetrius Jackson has continued his strong run of play with a pair of triples to start the game.

7:17 p.m. ET (Murphy) - A minor note of interest, with Jerian Grant guarding Tekele Cotton rather than Ron Baker, and Cotton on Grant as well. That's definitely the matchup to watch.

7:15 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Notre Dame is wearing their vomit-gold jerseys against the slick black look of the Shockers.

7:10 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Punctuality is a virtue. It's 7:10, so welcome. We still don't know if Kennedy Meeks is playing for UNC at 7:47, but Wichita State and Notre Dame are about to tip off. We're almost there.

6:30 p.m. ET (Murphy) - Now that you've had a three-day breather, it's time to jump right back into the Madness. In all likelihood, you can forget your bracket at this point and just settle in for a great slate of games.

Gino Bottero and I will be here live-blogging from Thursday-Sunday once again. You're welcome, but really, it's our pleasure. In case the return of the live blog isn't enough to get you hyped, No. 6 Xavier has put together a pretty good playlist for the evening.

Check back at 7:10 p.m. ET for the official start of the live blog, with the first game tipping off at 7:15 (see the full schedule below). 

If you're only interested in watching Goliath fall, David's slingshot appears to be forcing turnovers, so watch how that aspect of the matchup plays out early.

6:00 p.m. ET (Bottero) - Over the first week of the NCAA tournament, 52 games were played, and a field of 68 teams was narrowed down to 16.

On Thursday night, another four teams will fall by the wayside and the four that emerge victorious will advance to decide their respective regions.

First up, the Midwest and West regions. Here's a look at the night's slate.

Additional Reading

• What to Watch: Does West Virginia have a chance?
• Can Kentucky lose? Check out the five hardest Sweet Sixteen falls by No. 1 seeds.
• Probably not, to both of those questions. Having nine potential NBA draft picks helps. Check out all of the NBA prospects in the Sweet Sixteen.
• Why are they called the Wildcats, anyway? How the Sweet Sixteen teams got their names.