ESPN unveils overhauled Bracketology entering last two weekends of regular season
The college basketball season is starting to wind down, with just a few weekends remaining, ESPN has dropped an updated projection of the NCAA Tournament field. It is fully bracketology season, after all.
With March Madness starting in a handful of weeks, ESPN bracketology whiz Joe Lunardi took another crack at sussing out the field of 68 teams. A few teams have fallen out of his projection while others — hello, Kentucky — have solidified their place in the field.
And some, like Penn State, North Carolina and Michigan are still trying to overcome their bubble inertia.
See who ESPN has in, out — and by how much — with the latest bracketology.
Projected last four in, first four out
Last Four Byes: Pittsburgh, Nevada, Memphis, West Virginia
Last Four In: Oklahoma State, USC, Wisconsin, Mississippi State
First Four Out: Penn State, Utah State, North Carolina, Charleston
Next Four Out: Texas Tech, Clemson, Michigan, New Mexico
The projected field, by region
South (Louisville)
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Howard/Fairleigh Dickinson
No. 8 Iowa vs. No. 9 Nevada
No. 5 Xavier vs. No. 12 Marshall
No. 4 Miami vs. No. 13 Hofstra
No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Florida Atlantic
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 UC Irvine
No. 7 Providence vs. No. 10 Memphis
No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Youngstown State
East (New York)
No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Morehead State/Alcorn State
No. 8 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Boise State
No. 5 Creighton vs. No. 12 VCU
No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 13 Utah Valley
No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 West Virginia
No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Eastern Washington
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Pittsburgh
No. 2 Kansas State vs. No. 15 Vermont
Midwest (Kansas City)
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 UNC Asheville
No. 8 NC State vs. No. 9 Rutgers
No. 5 Indiana vs. No. 12 Oral Roberts
No. 4 Xavier vs. No. 13 Yale
No. 6 Northwestern vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State/USC
No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 Toledo
No. 7 Duke vs. No. 10 Missouri
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Kennesaw State
West (Las Vegas)
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Texas A&M Corpus Christi
No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 9 Illinois
No. 5 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 12 Drake
No. 4 UConn vs. No. 13 Iona
No. 6 TCU vs. No. 11 Mississippi State/North Carolina
No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No 14 Colgate
No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 Auburn
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 15 Samford