ESPN unveils updated Bracketology projections in final month of regular season
Believe it or not, March is just a week away, which means it’s almost time for one of the greatest sporting events of the year: the NCAA basketball Tournament. With that in mind, ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi released his updated projections on Tuesday.
The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds all remain the same since Lunardi’s last projections, with Alabama claiming the top overall seed. There was plenty of movement below that, however, most notably among bubble teams.
Kentucky jumped from the “last four in” up to a No. 8 seed following back-to-back wins against tournament teams in Mississippi State and Tennessee. USC moved from the “first four out” to the “last four in,” joining Arizona and UCLA as the only Pac-12 teams in according to Lunardi.
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North Carolina is trending in the opposite direction following its fifth loss in the past six games. The Tar Heels were the preseason No. 1 team after finishing runner-up in last year’s NCAA Tournament, but an 0-9 record against Quadrant 1 teams doesn’t bode well for their chances.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with nine teams in according to Lunardi’s projections, while the Big 12 and SEC have eight apiece. You can view the latest ESPN bracketology projections below.
Last Four Byes: Memphis, Boise State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
Last Four In: Nevada, Mississippi State, USC, Wisconsin
First Four Out: North Carolina, Charleston, New Mexico, Utah State
Next Four Out: Oregon, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Penn State
ESPN bracketology projections
South Region (Louisville)
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Alcorn State/FDU
No. 8 NC State v. No. 9 Memphis
No. 5 Creighton vs. No. 12 Kent State
No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 13 Yale
No. 6 TCU vs. No. 11 Nevada/Mississippi State
No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Colgate
No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 10 Florida Atlantic
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 15 Kennesaw State
West Region (Las Vegas)
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 UNC Asheville
No. 8 Iowa vs. No. 9 Arkansas
No. 5 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 12 VCU
No. 4 Xavier vs. No. 13 Utah Valley
No. 6 Northwestern vs. No. 11 Oral Roberts
No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 Eastern Washington
No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 Boise State
No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Samford
Midwest Region (Kansas City)
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 TAMU-CC
No. 8 Texas A&M vs. No. 9 Rutgers
No. 5 Miami vs. No. 12 Drake
No. 4 Marquette vs. No. 13 Southern Mississippi
No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 USC/Wisconsin
No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 14 UC Irvine
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Missouri
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Youngstown State
East Region (New York)
No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Howard/Morehead State
No. 8 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Pittsburgh
No. 5 UConn vs. No. 12 West Virginia
No. 4 Gonzaga vs. No. 13 Iona
No. 6 Duke vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State
No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Hofstra
No. 7 Providence vs. No. 10 Auburn
No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 15 Vermont