6 matchups to look forward to in the NCAA tournament

With the teams for the NCAA tournament finally revealed, millions have begun filling out their bracket. It's easy to see what first-round matchups figure to be must-see TV, but there are also plenty of intriguing games that could come to fruition if bracket busters don't get in the way.

Here are the most compelling matchups to look forward to this March:

Vanderbilt vs. Wichita State (First Four South Region)

Vandy and Wichita State will get the madness started before we even hit the final field of 64. The Commodores finished third in the SEC and the Shockers won 24 games this season, making this arguably the most talent filled play-in game ever. Gregg Marshall's team reached the Final Four just three seasons ago and made the Sweet Sixteen last year. The rest of the field will surely want to see Wichita State make an early exit this time around.

USC vs. Providence (First Round East Region)

The Friars and Trojans square off in one of the more evenly matched games of the opening round, as Andy Enfield will be trying to rekindle the magic he had at Florida Gulf Coast back in 2013. It will be a battle of offense versus defense in this one, with USC averaging more than 80 points a game and Providence conceding just 69.7. Something has to give.

Maryland vs. Cal (Potential Second Round East Region)

Maryland, to the surprise of many, received a No. 5 seed, which could mean a second-round matchup with Cal. The Terps and Bears feature a handful of players that should be NBA-bound following the tournament, so each will be hoping to shine under the bright lights of March Madness. Diamond Stone, Melo Trimble, and Rasheed Sulaimon figure to give the Bears all they can handle.

Duke vs. Baylor (Potential Second Round West Region)

Duke will have an uphill climb if it plans to go deep into the tournament. If the Blue Devils get past UNC-Wilmington, Baylor will likely await, and then potentially No. 1 seed Oregon in the Sweet Sixteen. The Bears have a solid balance of size and skill and they will put the pressure on a Duke team that lacks depth. The loss of Amile Jefferson may ultimately be too much for Mike Krzyzewski's squad to overcome.

Indiana vs. Kentucky (Potential Second Round East Region)

The top half of the East Region is a gauntlet, with Kentucky and Indiana having a tough road to travel. If they take care of business in the first round, the Hoosiers and Wildcats will meet in the second. The longtime rivals last met in the 2012 tournament, so fans will no doubt be salivating at the prospect of the two sides renewing acquaintances. That being said, whoever finds their way through won't exactly have a pleasant surprise waiting for them.

Indiana/Kentucky vs. North Carolina (Potential Sweet 16 East Region)

North Carolina likely awaits the winner, which means at least two powerhouses won't see the Elite Eight. A North Carolina/Kentucky matchup seems the most probable if you believe in momentum, as both the Wildcats and Tar Heels won their conference tournaments, while Tom Crean's crew was tripped up by Michigan. Many feel North Carolina has what it takes to reach the Final Four, but they likely didn't think the Tar Heels would potentially have to deal with Tyler Ulis, Jamal Murray, and the rest of the Wildcats so early.