Bracketology: ESPN releases predictions for 2025 NCAA Tournament after Week 1

With a week since the initial tip-offs and the first results of the season in for college basketball, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has provided an update to Bracketology.

As for the official breakdown, the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten had the most seeds apiece with 10 each. The Big 12 was then one shy in second with nine selections. The ACC had six after that with the Big East earning five.

The focus for Lunardi through the first week is the pair of top-five or so teams from the state of Alabama. Alabama remained the No. 1 seed of the South Region as the winner of the SEC Championship. However, Auburn is now up to a No. 2 seed in the East Region after the Tigers win against Houston over the weekend. That puts even more emphasis, although delayed, as the two will meet twice in conference play over the final month of the season.

Here’s how Lunardi projected the bracket per his update to it at ESPN on Tuesday:

ESPN Bracketology: On The Bubble

The bubble for Lunardi includes six teams ranked in the latest edition of the AP Top-25. No. 24 Rutgers and No. 25 Ole Miss lead the way in that in the first four byes while the other four are receiving votes. This would have Michigan, in their first season under Dusty May, being the last team in as a No. 11 seed from the First Four while San Diego State, who has made the bracket in each of the last four years, including a national title appearance two seasons ago, would be the first one out.

Last Four Byes: Rutgers, Ole Miss, Saint Mary’s, Pittsburgh
Last Four In: VCU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan
First Four Out: San Diego State, Iowa, Wisconsin, UCF
Next Four Out: Boise State, TCU, USC, Providence

Midwest Region – Indianapolis

Kansas kept the No. 1 overall seed in ESPN’s Bracketology after their start to the season, including a three-point victory over North Carolina in a Top-10 matchup inside Allen Fieldhouse. This portion of the bracket also saw Baylor move up to a No. 3, despite opposite results in their first two games against ranked opponents, while Purdue, last year’s national runner-up, is down to a No. 4.

1. Kansas vs. 16. Colgate
8. Texas vs. 9. Memphis

5. St. John’s vs. 12. Bradley
4. Purdue vs. 13. McNeese State

6. Kentucky vs. 11. Miami/Michigan
3. Baylor vs. 14. Ohio

7. UCLA vs. 10. Dayton
2. Connecticut vs. 15. Samford

South Region – Atlanta

Alabama stayed as a No. 1 in the tournament as well despite some so-so outings over their last two games after their opener. This field also saw effects from the results of the previous region as North Carolina, who lost on the road to the Jayhawks, is down to a No. 3 while Arkansas, who lost on a neutral court to Baylor, is down to a No. 7.

1. Alabama vs. 16. Little Rock/Central Connecticut
8. Xavier vs. 9. Kansas State

5. Indiana vs. 12. Grand Canyon
4. Cincinnati vs. 13. High Point

6. Florida vs. 11. VCU/Maryland
3. North Carolina vs. 14. North Florida

7. Arkansas vs. 10. Rutgers
2. Iowa State vs. 15. South Dakota State

East Region – Newark

The East Region had the most movement of any of the four in ESPN’s Bracketology. Duke maintained the No. 1 seed in this field and could further justify that after their first big matchup of the season in The Champions Classic. Auburn, as noted, was also one of the biggest winners of the opening week with them now up to a No. 2 seed.

1. Duke vs. 16. Quinnipiac/Grambling State
8. Oregon vs. 9. Mississippi State

5. Texas Tech vs. 12. Princeton
4. Marquette vs. 13. Charleston

6. Michigan State vs. 11. New Mexico
3. Houston vs. 14. Arkansas State

7. Wake Forest vs. 10. BYU
2. Auburn vs. 15. Purdue Fort Wayne

West Region – San Francisco

Gonzaga held onto the No. 1 seed in the West Region after one great outing in a 38-point win over Baylor but also after having to hold off Arizona State in Spokane. This field in the tournament also saw improvements for Arizona as the No. 2 along with Ohio State and Illinois as well as slips for Texas A&M and Saint Mary’s in what would now be the 7-10 matchup.

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Norfolk State
8. Clemson vs. 9. Ole Miss

5. Ohio State vs. 12. UC Irvine
4. Creighton vs. 13. Louisiana Tech

6. Illinois vs. 11. Pittsburgh
3. Tennessee vs. 14. Vermont

7. Texas A&M vs. 10. Saint Mary’s
2. Arizona vs. 15. Montana