ESPN updates Bracketology ahead of crucial weekend of college basketball

Saturday will mark the second to last Saturday in the month of February, with March just around the corner. The bubble is getting smaller and smaller for some teams, with a huge weekend of college basketball upcoming. Before the games, ESPN updated their bracketology with Joe Lunardi. Some big-name programs find themselves on the cusp of disaster and missing the entire NCAA Tournament if a few more losses go against them.

Last four in (with byes): Iowa State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, San Francisco

Last four in: Memphis, North Carolina, Michigan, Creighton

First four out: BYU, Oregon, SMU, San Diego State

Next four out: Kansas State, Florida, Belmont, Virginia Tech

2022 Bracketology: West Region

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Norfolk State/New Orleans
8. Wyoming vs. 9. Murray State

5. Alabama vs. 12. North Carolina/Creighton
4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Iona

6. LSU vs. 11. San Francisco
3. UCLA vs. 14. Seattle

7. Marquette vs. 10. Loyola Chicago
2. Texas Tech vs. 15. Long Beach State

East Region

1. Kansas vs. 16. Cleveland State
8. Boise State vs. 9. Miami

5. Houston vs. 12. North Texas
4. Illinois vs. 13. Ohio

6. USC vs. 11. Rutgers
3. Providence vs. 14. Texas State

7. Iowa vs. 10. TCU
2. Kentucky vs. 15. Colgate

Midwest Region

1. Auburn vs. 16. UNC Wilmington/Southern
8. Seton Hall vs. 9. Notre Dame

5. Ohio State vs. 12. Chattanooga
4. Texas vs. 13. South Dakota State

6. Arkansas vs. 11. Oklahoma
3. Villanova vs. 14. Wagner

7. Colorado State vs. 10. Iowa State
2. Purdue vs. 15. Jacksonville State

South Region Bracketology

1. Arizona vs. 16. Longwood
8. Saint Mary’s vs. 9. Wake Forest

5. Michigan State vs. 12. Davidson
4. Tennessee vs. 13. Vermont

6. UConn vs. 11. Memphis/Michigan
3. Baylor vs. 14. Montana State

7. Xavier vs. 10. Indiana
2. Duke vs. 15. Yale

Big Ten leads the way with nine teams in NCAA Tournament

Both the Big 12 and the Big East have seven teams in Lunardi’s latest projection but they are not to be outdone by the Big Ten. Nine programs are expected to be dancing in March, with Purdue being the highest seed in the West region at No. 2.

Michigan finds themselves on the bubble and listed as one of the first four teams in and Juwan Howard would find himself going up against Penny Hardaway in the First Four. A crucial road game against the Wisconsin Badgers faces the Wolverines on Saturday.

Rutgers is one of the last four teams in with a bye, sneaking in as a No. 10 seed. Four straight wins over Ohio State, Michigan State, Illinois, and Wisconsin have vaulted the Scarlet Knights into a position to make the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1976. They travel to Purdue on Saturday, looking for a fifth straight ranked win.