Bracketology: ESPN releases final 68-team field projection for March Madness, prediction for NCAA Tournament

With just a couple hours to go until the Selection Show, the final Bracketology projections are in. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his final predictions for the 68-field in the NCAA tournament Sunday afternoon.

Just one game remains as Michigan and Wisconsin square off in the Big Ten tournament championship in Indianapolis. That means the rest of the field is likely in place as the March Madness picture comes into focus.

In his final Bracketology, Lunardi has 13 SEC teams in the field, while Texas is just on the outside looking in. The conference has been hoping to get 14 bids to the tournament, but it appears the Longhorns will be one of the first teams out, according to ESPN. Here are the final Bracketology projections ahead of the Selection Show.

ESPN Bracketology: On the Bubble

Last Four Byes: Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, Utah State
Last Four In: Vanderbilt, San Diego State, Indiana, Xavier
First Four Out: Boise State, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio State
Next Four Out: UC Irvine, Dayton, Wake Forest, SMU

South Region – Atlanta

1. Auburn vs. 16. Alabama State/St. Francis (PA)
8. Marquette vs. 9. New Mexico
5. Oregon vs. 12. McNeese State
4. Arizona vs. 13. Akron

6. Illinois vs. 11. Drake
3. Kentucky vs. 14. Lipscomb
7. Missouri vs. 10. West Virginia
2. Michigan State vs. 15. Bryant

Despite losing three of its last four games, Auburn comes in as the No. 1 overall seed in Joe Lunardi’s finalized Bracketology projections. The Tigers fell to Florida in the SEC tournament semifinals, but Bruce Pearl made it clear he’s not “panicking” about the three losses heading into March Madness.

East Region – Newark

1. Duke vs. 16. American/Mount St. Mary’s
8. UConn vs. 9. Mississippi State
5. BYU vs. 12. Indiana/Xavier
4. Maryland vs. 13. High Point

6. Ole Miss vs. 11. UC San Diego
3. Iowa State vs. 14. Troy
7. Gonzaga vs. 10. VCU
2. Tennessee vs. 15. Robert Morris

Even without Cooper Flagg or Maliq Brown, Duke came away with an ACC title by winning the tournament championship Saturday night. That helped seal the Blue Devils’ fate as a No. 1 seed, and ESPN has them as the No. 2 overall team in its updated Bracketology.

Midwest Region – Indianapolis

1. Houston vs. 16. SIU Edwardsville 
8. Memphis vs. 9. Georgia
5. Michigan vs. 12. Liberty
4. Texas A&M vs. 13. Yale

6. Louisville vs. 11. Vanderbilt/San Diego State
3. Wisconsin vs. 14. UNC Wilmington
7. Saint Mary’s 10. Arkansas
2. Alabama vs. 15. Wofford

Despite a scare after the first half of the Big 12 tournament championship on Saturday, Houston came away with the win over Arizona to bring home the conference title in just its second season. The Cougars entered squarely on the 1-seed line and, as a result, look likely to stay there as the No. 3 overall team, according to ESPN’s Bracketology.

West Region – San Francisco

1. Florida vs. 16. Norfolk State
8. Creighton vs. 9. Baylor
5. Clemson vs. 12. Colorado State
4. Purdue vs. 13. Grand Canyon

6. UCLA vs. 11. Utah State
3. Texas Tech vs. 14 Montana
7. Kansas vs. 10. Oklahoma 
2. St. John’s vs. Omaha

The final No. 1 seed appeared up for grabs entering Sunday, and Florida took it and ran. The Gators took down Tennessee in the SEC tournament championship, and since they were ahead of the Vols in the seeding, appear poised to fill out the 1-seed as the No. 4 team in the field.