Bracketology: ESPN updates preseason predictions for 2025 NCAA Tournament

This week, college basketball teams around the country got practice underway. That means the 2025 season is quickly approaching, and ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has updated his preseason Bracketology predictions for the NCAA Tournament.

Kansas remained the No. 1 overall seed as the Jayhawks welcome blend old and new faces. Hunter Dickinson is the most notable returner while AJ Storr leads the crew of newcomers from the transfer portal, helping KU stay atop Lunardi’s projections.

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The bubble has also seen some shifts as teams start practice and conference media days loom around the corner. Here’s how Lunardi has the Field of 68 coming together with October quickly approaching.

ESPN Bracketology: On The Bubble

Ole Miss moved into the last bye in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology projection as Chris Beard enters his second season at the helm. The Rebels fell short of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, but a transfer class headlined by Malik Dia and Dre Davis could help them make some noise in the new-look SEC.

Last Four Byes: Ole Miss, Ohio State, St. Mary’s, Oregon
Last Four In: Rutgers, Louisville, Dayton, Pitt
First Four Out: Nebraska, Maryland, Wisconsin, USC
Next Four Out: Providence, Villanova, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis

ESPN Bracketology: Midwest Region – Indianapolis

Six transfers and two highly rated recruits make up Kansas’ impressive recruiting class this year. The Jayhawks brought in the No. 2 overall portal class, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings, with AJ Storr leading the group.

1. Kansas vs. 16. Colgate
8. Wake Forest vs. 9. Florida

5. Texas vs. McNeese State
4. Purdue vs. 13. Bradley

6. UCLA vs. 11. Dayton/Pitt
3. Creighton vs. 14 Troy

7. Illinois vs. 10. Memphis
2. Auburn vs. 15. Lipscomb

West Region – San Francisco

Houston lost some key production from last season, but the Cougars appear ready to continue their success in the Big 12 this year. LJ Cryer and J’Wan Roberts look poised to lead that charge while Milos Uzan comes in as a highly touted newcomer from the transfer portal.

1. Houston vs. 16. Quinnipac
8. Clemson vs. 9. Ole Miss

5. Indiana vs. 12. Grand Canyon
4. Arkansas vs. 13. UC Irvine

6. Marquette vs. 11. Boise State
3. Arizona vs. 14. Ohio

7. Mississippi State vs. 10. Oregon
2. Gonzaga vs. 15. Weber State

South Region – Atlanta

After making its first-ever Final Four appearance a season ago, Alabama gets plenty of key contributors in 2024-25. The Crimson Tide were also the big winners on the recruiting trail with a top-five recruiting class and a transfer class led by Clifford Omoruyi, which could put Nate Oats’ group in position to make another run.

1. Alabama vs. 16. Southern/Morehead State
8. Xavier vs. 9. Miami

5. Texas A&M vs. 12. Princeton
4. Texas Tech vs. 13. Vermont

6. Kentucky vs. 11. VCU
3. North Carolina vs. 14. Samford

7. Michigan State vs. 10. St. Mary’s
2. Iowa State vs. 15. Oakland

East Region – Newark

The excitement continues to build around Duke and top recruit Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils made it to the Elite Eight in Year 2 under Jon Scheyer, and they look to build on that success with the No. 1 overall recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

1. Duke vs. Howard/Wagner
8. Michigan vs. 9. Kansas State

5. Cincinnati vs. 12. High Point
4. Tennessee vs. 13. Louisiana Tech

6. St. John’s vs. 11. Rutgers/Louisville
3. Baylor vs. 14. Charleston

7. BYU vs. 10. Ohio State
2. UConn vs. South Dakota State

ESPN’s Bracketology will undoubtedly shift throughout the season as teams navigate their revamped conferences. The action will officially get underway in just a couple months with the first games on Nov. 3.