ESPN updates Bracketology, NCAA Tournament field prediction after rough weekend for ranked teams

The sands are shifting in college basketball. This past weekend, seven teams in the AP Top 25 fell. Four of those losses were against unranked opponents. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi adjusted his Bracketology, accordingly.

From a jaw-dropping finish in Rupp Arena to a stunning upset in East Lansing, college basketball fans enjoyed no shortage of entertainment this weekend. With only a month until conference tournaments begin, the pressure is on for teams hoping to be dancing in March.

On Tuesday, Lunardi revealed who he believes will earn a spot in the Big Dance, starting with the Midwest Region.

Midwest Region (Detroit)
(1) Purdue vs. (16) Southern/Eastern Kentucky

The postseason landscape changes, but Purdue doesn’t move. On Saturday, the Boilermakers dominated Indiana in 79-59 fashion. In the win, reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey stole the show, tallying 26 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 7-15 from the field.

In the process, Edey drained his first career 3-pointer. He’s now 1-2 from beyond the arc in 123 games at Purdue. With the win, the Boilermakers are a national-best 15-2 inside of the first two quadrants.

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Troy

Despite suffering an 85-69 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, Tennessee retained its No. 2 seed in Lunardi’s latest predictions. In the loss, Tennessee shot 23-62 (37.1%) from the field and 8-29 (27.6%) from beyond the arc.

Additionally, the Volunteers connected on a mere 15-25 (60%) from the charity stripe. For reference, Tennessee is shooting 44.9% from the field and 34.2% from deep this season. The Vols will have a chance to avenge their loss when they square off against Texas A&M again on Feb. 24.

(3) Iowa State vs. (14) Eastern Washington

Iowa State went 2-0 this week, confirming it’s spot among the top teams in the Big 12. On Tuesday, the Cyclones swept away Texas in 70-65 fashion. It wasn’t always pretty for Iowa State. The team nearly gave up 17-point lead but, in the end, walked away with a victory.

On Saturday, Iowa State secured a more comfortable 71-59 triumph over TCU. After the game, Iowa State forward Tre King emphasized the team’s selfless mentality, declaring, “We all trust and believe in each other, so it’s a beautiful thing to see.”

(8) Florida vs. (9) Washington State
(5) San Diego State vs. (12) McNeese State
(4) Dayton vs. (13) Akron
(6) FAU vs. (11) New Mexico/Ole Miss
(7) Utah State vs. (10) Butler

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

If defense wins championships, Houston has a lot to look forward to in March. The Cougars bounced back in a big way this week after suffering a 78-65 loss to Kansas on Feb. 3. On Tuesday, Houston defeated Oklahoma State 79-63.

The Cougars followed up the win with a 67-62 triumph over Cincinnati on Saturday. Struggling to connect from outside in the victory, Houston pounded the paint. The Cougars finished with 38 points in the paint compared to Cincinnati’s mere 22.

(2) Marquette vs. (15) Quinnipiac

Marquette solidified its spot as a No. 2 seed this past week after securing a double-digit victory over a gritty St. John’s squad. The Golden Eagles have now won seven straight games. The Red Storm didn’t make it easy on Marquette.

Shaka Smart and Co. trailed St. John’s by nine points at the halftime break. However, All-American guard Tyler Kolek exploded for 22 of his 27 points in the second half and also had 13 assists to lead Marquette to a come-from-behind victory.

(3) Duke vs. (14) High Point

Sometimes, you have to take one step back to take two steps forward. Duke is moving forward and fast. After suffering a loss to arch-rival North Carolina, the Blue Devils have won three straight game.

Most recently, Duke handed out a 77-69 beatdown to Wake Forest. In the win, Kyle Filipowski posted his first double-double in nearly three weeks, notching 21 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 8-14 from the floor.

(8) Saint Mary’s vs. (9) Northwestern
(5) Creighton vs. (12) Richmond
(4) Illinois vs. (13) UNCW
(6) Kentucky vs. (11) Grand Canyon
(7) Texas A&M vs. (10) TCU

West Region (Los Angeles)
(1) Arizona vs. (16) Merrimack/NC Central

Arizona didn’t fall victim to any trap games this past week. Instead, the team rediscovered its spot atop the West Region. The Wildcats are finally finding their stride in conference play, currently on a five-game win streak.

Most recently, Arizona blew out Colorado 99-79 on Saturday. Five Arizona players scored double figures in the contest, including Caleb Love who collected a team-high 19 points. Arizona was red-hot in the win, connecting on 10-22 (45.5%) from 3-point range.

(2) Kansas vs. (15) Green Bay

Following a statement win over Houston on Feb. 3, the Jayhawks have had a bumpy 10 days. The team followed up the monumental win with a stunning 75-70 loss to Kansas State. In the defeat, Kansas only found the bottom of the net on 3-of-its-15 (20%) attempts from deep.

Kansas rallied back on Saturday with a 64-61 triumph over No. 13 Baylor. However, trouble found the Jayhawks again on Monday when they lost by 29 points at Texas Tech. Big 12 leading scorer Kevin McCullar was out for the second-straight game for the Jayhawks due to a knee injury.

(3) Alabama vs. (14) Morehead State

Alabama’s past week was a rollercoaster. On Wednesday, the Crimson Tide bravely marched into a rowdy Neville Arena with high hopes. Nonetheless, they couldn’t escape with a victory, leaving with a 99-81 loss to No. 12 Auburn.

Alabama didn’t let the loss keep them down. On Saturday, Alabama picked up a convincing 109-92 triumph against LSU. In the victory, Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. boasted season highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

(8) Texas vs. (9) Mississippi State
(5) BYU vs. (12) Samford
(4) Wisconsin vs. (13) UC Irvine
(6) Clemson vs. (11) Nevada/Utah
(7) Colorado State vs. (10) Nebraska

East Region (Boston)
(1) UConn vs. (16) South Dakota State

UConn hasn’t lost since Dec. 23, and the Huskies didn’t show any signs of fatigue this past week. On Tuesday, UConn comfortably defeated Butler 71-62. After missing five games in December and January with a foot injury, Donovan Clingan return to form in the win, notching 18 points and 14 rebounds.

UConn rode its momentum into Saturday with an 89-64 blowout victory against Georgetown. Alex Karaben led the way for UConn versus the Hoyas. The sophomore forward notched 25 points while shooting an efficient 10-14 from the floor.

(2) North Carolina vs. (15) Colgate

North Carolina didn’t meet expectations this past week. After downing Duke last Saturday, the Tar Heels looked like a legitimate national title contender. Nonetheless, the team regressed this week, starting with an 80-76 loss to Clemson.

The Tar Heels nearly fell victim to another unranked opponent on Saturday, ultimately escaping with a three-point win over Miami. The win snapped a two-game skid against Miami, including a 28-point road loss two years ago.

(3) Auburn vs. (14) Vermont

Auburn kicked off last week with a bang, knocking off No. 16 Alabama 99-81. The win was a team effort. The Tigers nearly doubled Alabama’s assist total. Unfortunately for Auburn, the team wasn’t able to replicate its success on Saturday.

On Saturday, Auburn fell 81-65 on the road against Florida. Auburn forward Johni Broome struggled in the showing, only connecting on one of his eight free-throw attempts. In the loss, Auburn shot a poor 3-17 (17.6%) from beyond the arc.

(8) Virginia vs. (9) Michigan State
(5) South Carolina vs. (12) Yale
(4) Baylor vs. (13) South Florida
(6) Oklahoma vs. (11) Indiana State
(7) Texas Tech vs. (10) Boise State