ESPN updates Bracketology, predictions for March Madness ahead of loaded Saturday slate

The latest bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is here ahead of a loaded Saturday slate of college basketball.

Now that the calendar turned to February, we are that much closer to March Madness. Sure, there have been some upsets along the way, but this is a solid look at where everyone stands.

Let’s go region by region, starting with the No. 1 overall seed from the Midwest Region.

Midwest (Detroit): No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Green Bay/Southern

The Boilermakers continue to roll this season, sporting a 20-2 record going into Sunday’s contest. Last time out, Purdue beat Northwestern 105-96.

Sure, the Boilermakers have been knocked off their No. 1 overall ranking in the AP Poll, but are at No. 2 and get a big Big Ten test, no pun intended, against Wisconsin in Madison on Sunday.

No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Colgate

Marquette gets Georgetown on the road Saturday afternoon. It’s been five wins in a row for Shaka Smart’s crew but they don’t get a ranked matchup until No. 1 UConn on February 17th.

As for Colgate, toothpaste jokes aside, the Raiders improved to 14-8 on the season with a win over Army on January 31st. They’re back in action against Navy Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET. Expect the mid-major to get back to the tournament.

No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 14 Drexel

The Jayhawks have one of the biggest challenges of the year with a game against Houston Saturday afternoon. After an upset loss to Iowa State on the road, Kansas came back and beat up on Oklahoma State. Following a game against Houston, Kansas gets rival Kansas State and ranked matchups against Baylor, Texas Tech and Oklahoma all in a row.

Drexel fell to Monmouth in its last contest on Thursday after a win over NC A&T in the previous game. Currently, the Dragons are 15-8 on the season and are steadily hovering in a low seed for the tournament.

No. 8 New Mexico vs. No. 9 St. John’s
No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 12 Appalachian State
No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 13 Akron
No. 6 Utah State vs. No. 11 Grand Canyon
No. 7 Clemson vs. No. 10 Nebraska

West (Los Angeles): No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Central Connecticut/NC Central

Of course, the Tar Heels have Duke Saturday evening in the latest edition of the class rivalry. UNC fell to Georgia Tech prior to this game but is still projected to be a No. 1 seed.

Especially with a win over Duke, UNC can solidify a top four overall spot in the tournament to grab one of those No. 1 seeds. Hubert Davis and crew are certainly a national title contender in 2024.

No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Eastern Washington

The Wildcats beat California and Oregon in their last two games after being upset by Oregon State on January 25th. But, Arizona is still one of the top teams in the country. Coming up next is Stanford at home Sunday night.

Eastern Washington fell victim to Montana State on the road Thursday and are now 13-8 on the season. The Eagles will double dip with Montana Saturday night to try and get back on the winning end of things.

No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Morehead State

The Bluejays fell 99-98 to Butler at home Friday in an upset loss. Still, a No. 3 seed is still in play according to ESPN’s bracketology.

Morehead State beat Tennessee State 68-49 Thursday and is now on a four-game winning streak. Coming up Saturday afternoon is Tennessee Tech on the road.

No. 8 TCU vs. No. 9 Mississippi State
No. 5 BYU vs. No. 12 McNeese State
No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 13 Stanford
No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 11 Indiana State
No. 7 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Saint Mary’s

East (Boston): No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Eastern Kentucky

UConn won its last time out 74-65 over Providence Wednesday. Next up is St. John’s Saturday at noon on the road. The Huskies improved to 19-2 on the season with its latest win and is certainly on track to get a top seed.

It was a tough look for Eastern Kentucky Thursday losing to Queens NC on the road. The Colonels are 11-10 on the season and might need a few more wins in a row to ensure getting into the tournament. 

No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Quinnipiac

The Volunteers were upset by South Carolina Tuesday at home and had to turn around quickly to take on the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night. The teams are No. 5 and 10 in the AP Poll respectively.

Quinnipiac improved to 17-4 on the year with a 77-71 win over Marshall Friday night. The impressive season for the Bobcats continues as they look to get into March Madness.

No. 3 Duke vs. No. 14 Vermont

Have we mentioned Duke already? We kid of course, but the Blue Devils are in the running for a top seed and this could rise with a win over UNC Saturday evening. Duke is 16-4 this year.

Vermont sports an impressive 17-5 record this year and take on Binghamton Saturday afternoon. The mid-major from way up north can improve the resume by piling up more wins of course. 

No. 8 Michigan State vs. No. 9 Texas
No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Richmond
No. 4 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Cornell
No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 Seton Hall/Memphis
No. 7 Northwestern vs. No. 10 Providence

South (Dallas): No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 South Dakota State

As we mentioned above, Houston takes on Kansas on the road Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Sitting at 19-2, the Cougars certainly deserve a top seed, especially if they can get a win over the Jayhawks.

South Dakota State lost its second in a row with a 74-73 loss to North Dakota State but the Jackrabbits get their in-state rival Sunday. Now at 12-11, a win could put them back on track.

No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 15 Sam Houston State

Wisconsin has Purdue coming to town Sunday and heck, if the Badgers win they could have a legit argument for the No. 1 seed when it comes time for March. Yes, Wisconsin lost to Nebraska Thursday, but things can change with one win here in the final third of the regular season.

Sam Houston State is 13-9 overall on the season and gets FIU on the road Saturday afternoon. The Bearkats look for their fourth straight win against the Panthers.

No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 14 High Point

The Crimson Tide are ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll and host Mississippi State Saturday night. It’s been three wins in a row since a loss to Tennessee. That included a ranked win over Auburn last week.

High Point is first in the Big South Conference and is 19-4 on the season. The Panthers host Presbyterian Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET.

No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Utah
No. 5 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 12 UC Irvine
No. 4 Dayton vs. No. 13 Charlotte
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Boise State/Colorado
No. 7 Colorado State vs. No. 10 Texas A&M