ESPN releases updated Bracketology after the start of college basketball

It’s never too early for a little college basketball NCAA Tournament Bracketology, and ESPN guru Joe Lunardi wasted no time getting some initial projections out there after a marathon of college hoops games over the last 24 hours.

Lunardi even dropped an early explainer on his methodology this early on.

“The season begins with Kentucky — also my national title pick — as the No. 1 overall seed,” Lunardi wrote. “Why? This bracket is our first to add projected strength of schedule (overall, not just nonconference) to the formula, bumping Gonzaga to No. 2 overall.

“The remaining top-line teams, North Carolina and Houston, have been consistent all summer and fall, with only the order of the four 1-seeds in flux. It’s worth posting the reminder that only once in the history of the 64-plus-team field have all No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four in the same season. On average, two of these four will make it through to April and two or more interlopers will emerge. Who are they? That’s what the next five months are all about.”

Already Lunardi’s top seeds have posted some impressive results.

Kentucky blasted Howard 95-63 in its opener on Monday night, while Gonzaga dusted North Florida 104-63.

North Carolina had a closer call, besting UNC Wilmington 69-56. Houston actually had the most lopsided win of Lunardi’s initial No. 1 seeds, whacking Northern Colorado 83-36 on Monday evening.

You can check out Lunardi’s complete NCAA Tournament bracketology below.

NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Last Four In / First Four Out

Last Four In (with byes): USC, Saint Mary’s, Oklahoma, Notre Dame
Last Four In: Florida State, St. John’s, Wyoming, Rutgers
First Four Out: Wisconsin, Providence, LSU, Stanford
Next Four Out: Cincinnati, Syracuse, Maryland, Ole Miss

West Region

1) Kentucky vs. 16) Southern / Wagner
8) Michigan State vs. 9) Virginia Tech

5) San Diego State vs. 12) Toledo
4) Arizona vs. 13) Vermont

6) Alabama vs. 11) UAB
3) Duke vs. 14) Colgate

7) Oregon vs. 10) Saint Mary’s
2) Texas vs. 15) Montana St.

Midwest Region

1) Houston vs. 16) Morehead St. / Texas A&M CC
8) Texas A&M vs. 9) Ohio State

5) Illinois vs. 12) Drake
4) Virginia vs. 13) Towson

6) Dayton vs. 11) Oklahoma
3) Arkansas vs. 14) Oral Roberts

7) Purdue vs. 10) Saint Louis
2) Baylor vs. 15) Louisiana

East Region

1) Gonzaga vs. 16) Norfolk St.
8) Miami vs. 9) Florida

5) TCU vs. 12) Wyoming / Rutgers
4) Creighton vs. 13) Grand Canyon

6) Texas Tech vs. 11) Notre Dame
3) Indiana vs. 14) UC Santa Barbara

7) UConn vs. 10) Oklahoma State
2) UCLA vs. 15) Penn

South Region

1) North Carolina vs. 16) Longwood
8) Iowa vs. 9) Memphis

5) Auburn vs. 12) Furman
4) Villanova vs. 13) Liberty

6) Michigan vs. 11) Florida St. / St. John’s
3) Tennessee vs. 14) Iona

7) Xavier vs. 10) USC
2) Kansas vs. 15) Northern Kentucky