Bracketology: Massive movement in new 2023 March Madness field projection
A week into December, there have already been some big-time upsets across college basketball. That’s led to some massive movement in ESPN’s latest Bracketology, which came out Wednesday.
Purdue and UConn both jumped up to No. 1 seeds in their regions of Joe Lunardi’s projections after coming in as No. 2 seeds in last week’s Bracketology. The Boilermakers are one of nine Big Ten teams projected to make the 68-team field, tying the conference with the Big 12 for most bids. The SEC comes in right behind them with seven projected bids.
What’s interesting is Virginia — the No. 3 team in the country in the latest AP Top 25 — dropped to a No. 2 seed in Purdue’s region even though the Cavaliers are still undefeated and were a No. 1 seed last week. Their last win was close, though, as they defeated James Madison 55-50 to improve to 8-0 on the young season.
Here are Lunardi’s full Bracketology projections entering Wednesday night’s action.
Bracketology: Last four in/first four in
Last four byes: Rutgers, Utah State, Mizzou, Utah
Last four in: Kansas State, Michigan State, Saint Mary’s, St. John’s
First four out: Penn State, UNLV, New Mexico, UAB
Next four out: Ole Miss, NC State, Oklahoma State, Florida
Bracketology: Midwest Region
1. Houston vs. 16. Norfolk State/Sacred Heart
8. Memphis vs. 9 Texas Tech
5. Illinois vs. 12. Kent State
4. Duke vs. 13. Iona
6. Creighton vs. 11 Kansas State/Michigan State
3. Arkansas vs. 14. Bradley
7. Virginia Tech vs. 10. Rutgers
2. Kansas vs. 15. SIU Edwardsville
East Region
1. UConn vs. 16. Cleveland State
5. Kentucky vs. 12. Sam Houston State
4. Gonzaga vs. 13. Furman
3. Alabama vs. 14. UMass Lowell
7. Iowa State vs. 10. Utah State
2. Indiana vs. 15. Longwood
South Region
1. Texas vs. 16. Northern Colorado
8. North Carolina vs. 9. Arizona State
5. Auburn vs. 12. Charleston
4. Maryland vs. 13. James Madison
6. Mississippi State vs. 11. Saint Louis
2. Tennessee vs. 15. Middle Tennessee State
West Region
1. Purdue vs. 16. Northwestern State/Grambling State
8. West Virginia vs. 9. Marquette
5. San Diego State vs. 12. Yale
4. UCLA vs. 13. UC Irvine
6. Ohio State vs. 11. Saint Mary’s/St. John’s
3. Baylor vs. 14. Oral Roberts
7. Xavier vs. 10. Mizzou
2. Virginia vs. 15. Colgate