ESPN updates preseason Bracketology for 2025 NCAA Tournament

With just over two months until the start of college basketball, it’s not too early to start thinking about March Madness. The season will arrive quickly, and ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is already getting ready for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Lunardi released his updated preseason Bracketology on Tuesday for the full 68-team field. He has Kansas as the No. 1 overall seed after the Jayhawks once again got to work overhauling the roster and appear ready to make another run at a Big 12 title as the league takes on a new look.

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The 2024-25 season will officially start Nov. 4. Here’s how Lunardi has the Field of 68 coming together with time to spare until practice can get going.

ESPN Bracketology: On The Bubble

Joe Lunardi features some big names on the bubble as the college landscape shifts. Oregon and USC both find themselves around the cut line in ESPN’s Bracketology as they take on a new-look Big Ten in 2024-25.

Last Four Byes: Miami, Rutgers, Kansas State, Saint Mary’s
Last Four In: Maryland, Oregon, Villanova, Pitt
First Four Out: Nebraska, Louisville, Providence, VCU
Next Four Out: USC, Georgia, Iowa, Wisconsin

ESPN Bracketology: Midwest Region – Indianapolis

Kansas enters the 2024-25 season with high expectations with eight new faces on board, including six players from the transfer portal. The Jayhawks brought in the No. 2 overall portal class, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings, with former Wisconsin guard AJ Storr leading the group.

1. Kansas vs. 16. Colgate
8. Clemson vs. 9. Ole Miss

5. Indiana vs. McNeese State
4. Tennessee vs. 13. Vermont

6. St. John’s vs. 11. Dayton
3. Arizona vs. 14 Samford

7. Illinois vs. 10. Miami
2. Auburn vs. 15. Fort Wayne

West Region – San Francisco

Houston didn’t miss a beat in 2023-24 after making the jump to the Big 12, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen and finishing 15-3 in conference play. Kelvin Sampson has the Cougars in position for more success with four fresh faces joining the conference this season.

1. Houston vs. 16. St. Peter’s
8. Ohio State vs. 9. Wake Forest

5. Cincinnati vs. 12 Bradley
4. Texas vs. 13. Arkansas State

6. UCLA vs. 11. Boise State
3. Gonzaga vs. 14. Lipscomb

7. Marquette vs. 10. Kansas State
2. North Carolina vs. 15. Weber State

South Region – Atlanta

Alabama got red hot last season en route to the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance. Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide got to work on the recruiting trail to sustain that success, and Joe Lunardi has them as a No. 1 seed in ESPN’s updated preseason Bracketology.

1. Alabama vs. 16. Southern/Morehead State
8. Memphis vs. 9. Xavier

5. Texas A&M vs. 12. Princeton
4. Purdue vs. 13. High Point

6. Mississippi State vs. 11. Oregon/Maryland
3. Creighton vs. 14. Charleston

7. Michigan State vs. 10. St. Mary’s
2. Iowa State vs. 15. Akron

East Region – Newark

Fresh off an Elite Eight appearance last year, Duke is going to generate plenty of buzz. A big reason for that will be Cooper Flagg, who appears to be the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after coming in as the top recruit in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

1. Duke vs. Howard/Wagner
8. Michigan vs. 9. Florida

5. Arkansas vs. 12. Grand Canyon
4. Texas Tech vs. 13. UC Irvine

6. Kentucky vs. 11. Villanova/Pitt
3. Baylor vs. 14. Louisiana Tech

7. BYU vs. 10. Rutgers
2. UConn vs. South Dakota State

ESPN’s Bracketology will undoubtedly shift throughout the season as teams navigate their revamped conferences. The action will officially get underway in just a couple months with the first games on Nov. 3.