ESPN releases updated Bracketology for 2022 NCAA Tournament

As conferences continue to update their COVID-19 protocols, roster minimums and forfeiture rules in light of the spread of the omicron variant, the NCAA Tournament remains on the horizon in just under three months.

Before the season turns to the bulk of the scheduled conference play, ESPN college basketball guru Joe Lunardi released his latest version of Bracketology predicting the 68 teams that will head to the big dance.

Lunardi’s Bracketology was last updated on Dec. 24 at 7 a.m. ET.

First four out/last four in

Last four (with byes): Florida, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, Virginia Tech

Last four in: Creighton, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Wake Forest

First four out: DePaul, Marquette, San Diego State, Utah State

Next four out: Clemson, Louisville, St. Bonaventure, TCU

Lunardi’s full NCAA Tournament projection

Midwest Region (Chicago):

1. Purdue vs. 16. Campbell/Texas Southern
8. Loyola Chicago vs. 9. Arkansas

5. Providence vs. 12. UCF
4. Kentucky vs. 13. Ohio

6. Illinois vs. 11. Wake Forest/Mississippi State
3. Villanova vs. 14. Hofstra

7. Colorado State vs. 10. Florida
2. Kansas vs. 15. Navy

South Region (San Antonio):

1. Baylor vs. 16. Liberty
8. BYU vs. 9. Iowa

5. Alabama vs. 12. Belmont
4. Ohio State vs. 13. Chattanooga

6. Seton Hall vs. 11. Davidson
3. Tennessee vs. 14. UC Irvine

7. Wisconsin vs. 10. San Francisco
2. Arizona vs. 15. Texas State

West Region (San Francisco):

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Princeton
8. North Carolina vs. 9. Indiana

5. Auburn vs. 12. Iona
4. Iowa State vs. 13. New Mexico State

6. UConn vs. 11. Saint Mary’s
3. Houston vs. 14. Oakland

7. West Virginia vs. 10. Minnesota
2. UCLA vs. 15. Weber State

East Region (Philadelphia):

1. Duke vs. 16. Nicholls/Norfolk State
8. Michigan vs. 9. Oklahoma

5. Xavier vs. 12. UAB
4. LSU vs. 13. South Dakota State

6. Texas vs. 11. Northwestern/Creighton
3. USC vs. 14. Vermont

7. Texas Tech vs. 10. Virginia Tech
2. Michigan State vs. 15. Wagner

Big Ten leading the charge

As the end of December approaches, the Big Ten has 10 teams predicted to make the field, the most of all conferences. They are followed by the SEC (eight), Big 12 (seven) and Big East (six). The ACC and WCC have four teams currently in the predicted field, the Pac-12 has three and the American has two.

Baylor is the No. 1 overall seed, as they remain undefeated after beating Alcorn State on Monday. DePaul is the first team out, while Creighton is the last team in.

Many games were postponed or canceled in the last week, but there were a few good contests that took place. No. 19 Tennessee got a 77-73 win over sixth-ranked Arizona and unranked Davidson handed No. 10 Alabama their second loss in three games.