ESPN releases updated Bracketology, NCAA Tournament projections on morning of Selection Sunday

ESPN released its updated bracketology for the NCAA Tournament and Joe Lunardi has a doozy of a bracket.

But first, we have to look at all of the teams on the bubble. All of those teams will be on the edge of their seats on Selection Sunday.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest NCAA Tournament projections from Lunardi.

ESPN Bracketology: On The Bubble

Last Four Byes: Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Florida Atlantic, Colorado State
Last Four In: TCU, Michigan State, Colorado, Oklahoma
First Four Out: St. John’s, Virginia, Seton Hall, Indiana State
Next Four Out: Pittsburgh, Providence, Kansas State, Ohio State

Midwest Region (Detroit): No. 1 Purdue

The Boilermakers get the top seed despite falling in the Big Ten semifinals. It’s hard to deny their resume. Tennessee moves up to a No. 2 seed in this part of the bracket, with Creighton and Kansas close behind.

(1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State
(8) Texas vs. (9) Dayton

(5) South Carolina vs. (12) Samford
(4) Kansas vs. (13) Yale

(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) Oregon State
(3) Creighton vs. (14) Morehead State

(7) Charlotte vs. (10) Colorado State
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) St. Peters

West Region (Los Angeles): No. 1 North Carolina

The Tar Heels are the ACC runner-ups after losing to rival NC State in the title game. Still, they grab the top seed. Arizona and Baylor round up the top three, while Alabama gets the No. 4 on the same side as UNC.

(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/Wagner
(8) Northwestern vs. (9) Texas A&M

(5) BYU vs. (12) Grand Canyon
(4) Alabama vs. (13) Charleston

(6) San Diego State vs. (11) Drake
(3) Baylor vs. (14) Oakland

(7) Gonzaga vs. (10) Michigan State/Oklahoma
(2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State

South Region (Dallas): No. 1 Houston

What the heck happened to Houston in the Big 12 title game? Losing 69-41 to Iowa State is not a good look, but the Cougars remain No. 1 here. Marquette grabs the No. 2 spot, while Illinois and Kentucky round out the top four.

(1) Houston vs. (16) Stetson
(8) Nebraska vs. (9) New Mexico

(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) McNeese
(4) Kentucky vs. (13) UAB

(6) Washington State vs. (11) James Madison
(3) Illinois vs. (14) Colgate

(7) Utah State vs. (10) TCU/Colorado
(2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky

East Region (Boston): No. 1 UConn

Fresh off a Big Ten championship, UConn is the only No. 1 seed to win a conference title in these projections. Iowa State, Auburn and Duke are the remainder of the top four teams here.

(1) UConn vs. (16) Longwood
(8) Boise State vs. (9) Mississippi State

(5) Florida vs. (12) VCU
(4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont

(6) Saint Mary’s vs. (11) NC State
(3) Auburn vs. (14) Akron

(7) Nevada vs. (10) Florida Atlantic
(2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State

Selection Sunday is finally upon us! Lunardi’s bracket projections could be quite accurate or there could be some last minute surprises. Buckle up!