ESPN updates Bracketology, March Madness field prediction following crazy weekend

College basketball is keeping fans on its toes this season, including Joe Lunardi. On Tuesday, the ESPN insider released his latest Bracketology.

Lunardi had lots to consider. This past weekend was filled with star-slated matchups and storied rivalries. From Houston-Kansas to Duke-North Carolina, fans had no shortage of entertainment this weekend. Of course, the amusing games also held significant weight in the NCAA Tournament picture.

Despite any surprises, Lunardi is still looking to paint a masterpiece. On Tuesday, he provided his updated NCAA Tournament predictions, starting with the Midwest Region.

Midwest Region (Detroit)
(1) Purdue vs. (16) Merrimack/Grambling State

Purdue has earned its spot atop Lunardi’s Bracketology. The Boilermakers won two massive games earlier this week. First, Purdue exacted revenge on Northwestern, who had defeated them earlier in the season. It was a close one, with Purdue ultimately escaping with a 105-96 win in overtime.

Purdue followed up the narrow victory with a 75-69 triumph over No. 6 Wisconsin. In the win, reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey stuffed the stat sheet, tallying 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 7-13 from the field.

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Drexel

Tennessee walked into a roaring Rupp Arena and left a silent one. On Saturday, the Volunteers handily defeated No. 10 Kentucky 103-92. Tennessee is now 6-2 against Kentucky when both teams are ranked in the Top 10.

All five of Tennessee’s starters scored double digits in the contest. Zakai Zeigler was especially outstanding, collecting 26 points and 13 rebounds. Josiah-Jordan James also tallied 26 points in the win, including 17 points in the first half.

(3) Duke vs. (14) Vermont

After defeating Virginia Tech 77-67 earlier in the week, Duke lost a grueling 93-84 battle against arch-rival North Carolina on Saturday. While Duke walked away empty-handed, the Blue Devils didn’t go down without a fight.

Duke had three players score 20 or more points, including standout forward Kyle Filipowski. The preseason ACC Player of the Year went shot-for-shot with North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, finishing the game with 22 points and five rebounds on 9-17 shooting.

(8) Saint Mary’s vs. (9) Ole Miss
(5) San Diego State vs. (12) UC Irvine
(4) Iowa State vs. (13) Louisiana Tech
(6) Oklahoma vs. (11) Grand Canyon
(7) Texas Tech vs. (10) Virginia

South Region (Dallas)
(1) Houston vs. (16) South Dakota State

Houston didn’t have its best showing on Saturday, but Lunardi hasn’t lost faith in the Cougars. On Saturday, Houston suffered a 78-65 loss to No. 8 Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas is the first team to score more than 72 points against Houston this season.

Despite the Cougars’ setback, they still boast the best defense in the country, only allowing 54 points per game. Further, Houston is still tied for the No. 1 spot in the Big 12 standings. With games against Oklahoma State and Cincinnati on the horizon, Houston will have several chances to rediscover its rhythm.

(2) Marquette vs. (15) Oakland

After a two-game skid in early January, Marquette has rallied back in a big way. Saturday was no exception. The Golden Eagles secured their sixth-straight win in a 91-57 blowout win over Georgetown.

In the triumph, Kam Jones recorded a career-high 31 points while draining 12-of-his-15 attempts from the floor. As usual, Tyler Kolek was a headache for the Hoyas, piling on 17 points and eight assists. After its latest win, Marquette is the No. 2 team in the Big East standings, only trailing UConn.

(3) Wisconsin vs. (14) Charlotte

Wisconsin took a step back this week, suffering back-to-back losses. On Thursday, Nebraska overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half to defeat Wisconsin 80-72 in overtime, ending the Badgers’ three-game win streak.

Things didn’t get any easier for Wisconsin. Only three days later, Wisconsin had to square off against Lunardi’s No. 1 overall seed, Purdue. The Badgers fell 75-69. In the loss, the team couldn’t find its outside touch, shooting 3-19 (15.8%) from beyond the arc.

(8) Utah vs. (9) Boise State
(5) Creighton vs. (12) Richmond
(4) Auburn vs. (13) McNeese State
(6) South Carolina vs. (11) Indiana State
(7) Texas vs. (10) Mississippi State

West Region (Los Angeles)
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Eastern Kentucky/NC Central

North Carolina quickly erased its loss against Georgia Tech from memory with a massive triumph over the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday. UNC controlled the game, only allowing Duke to lead for 16 seconds total in the meeting.

Armando Bacot was particularly spectacular in the win, notching a game-high 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting 10-13 from the field. RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram did their part as well, combining for 38 points.

(2) Arizona vs. (15) Eastern Washington

Arizona continues to bounce back every time it suffers a loss. This past week was no different. On Jan. 25, Arizona fell to Oregon State. Now, the Wildcats have won three straight games by an average margin of 15.3 points.

Most recently, Arizona handily defeated Stanford in an 82-71 triumph. The win wasn’t always so comfortable for the Wildcats. They trailed Stanford by 17 points at halftime. However, fueled by Oumar Ballo’s 18 points and 13 rebounds, Arizona regained its composure to secure a win late.

(3) Illinois vs. (14) High Point

Nebraska has won three games in a row, most recently defeating Nebraska 87-84 in overtime. The Cornhuskers were hot, coming off a win over No. 6 Wisconsin. Nonetheless, the Fighting Illini iced them when it mattered.

Again, Terrence Shannon Jr. proved pivotal in the win. The veteran guard found a steal with 25 seconds left in overtime to secure the victory for Illinois. Coleman Hawkins led Illinois in scoring, collecting 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

(8) New Mexico vs. (9) Northwestern
(5) FAU vs. (12) Appalachian State
(4) Baylor vs. (13) Cornell
(6) BYU vs. (11) Florida/Butler
(7) Colorado State vs. (10) TCU

East Region (Boston)
(1) UConn vs. (16) Quinnipiac

The defending national champions are living up to their name. UConn hasn’t lost a game since Dec. 20 and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Most recently, the Huskies defeated St. John’s in convincing 77-64 fashion.

More impressive, UConn defeated the Red Storm without starting forward Alex Karaban due to a sprained right ankle. In the win, freshman guard Stephon Castle exploded for a season-best 21 points while connecting on both of his attempts from beyond the arc.

(2) Kansas vs. (15) Colgate

The Jayhawks entered their showdown against No. 4 Houston as an underdog. Viewers left the game with a different impression. In the win, Kansas shot 68.9% from the field, which is the best any opponent has ever shot from the field against the Cougars in head coach Kelvin Sampson’s 10 years at the school. 

Nonetheless, Kansas couldn’t keep its hot hands warm. On Monday, the Jayhawks fell 75-70 in overtime to in-state rival Kansas State. In the loss, Kansas only connected on 3-of-its-15 (20%) attempts from deep.

(3) Alabama vs. (14) Morehead State

The Crimson Tide are rolling, currently on a four-game win streak. Most recently, Alabama dominated Mississippi State in a 99-67 blowout. In the win, Alabama was firing on all cylinders.

The team racked up 18 assists and had four players score double figures. Mark Sears led the way with 21 points while shooting 6-10 from the field. On Wednesday, the Crimson Tide will face one of its toughest challenges yet as they march into a hostile Neville Arena to take on Auburn.

(8) Clemson vs. (9) Nebraska
(5) Kentucky vs. (12) Samford
(4) Dayton vs. (13) Akron
(6) Utah State vs. (11) Washington State/Seton Hall
(7) Michigan State vs. (10) Texas A&M