ESPN releases updated Bracketology for 2023-2024 March Madness

We are just four months removed from the 2023 NCAA Tournament, with UConn cutting down the nets in Houston. A fun event filled with plenty of upsets and an unusual cast of characters making the Final Four. It’s what makes college basketball so great, having parity throughout the postseason on a yearly basis.

Focus has now turned to the 2023-2024 season, with ESPN releasing its latest Bracketology on Tuesday. Joe Lunardi has compiled the entire list of 68 teams, having them seeded into the regions as well. Of course, this is only August and a ton can change before the regular season even tips off in early November.

Lunardi even has a bubble forming, saying rosters are not stacking up to be NCAA Tournament-worthy at the moment. Check out the entire projection from ESPN’s Bracketologist in what should be an exciting season of college basketball.

Last Four Byes: Indiana, Clemson, Florida, West Virginia

Last Four In: Kansas State, Virginia, Providence, St. John’s

First Four Out: Texas Tech, Rutgers, Ohio State, New Mexico

Next Four Out: Stanford, Iowa, Boise State, Utah

South Region (Dallas)

1. Kansas

This time last season, Kansas found itself as the reigning national champion. While the regular season success was there, the Jayhawks got bounced in the Round of 32 and head coach Bill Self was not there coaching due to health reasons.

Thankfully, Self is back with the program and geared up to make a big run. Kansas used the NCAA transfer portal as well as any team in the country this offseason. Hunter Dickinson was the biggest pull, landing an All-American caliber player to lead through another daunting Big 12 schedule.

2. Creighton

Creighton had the ceiling of being a serious Final Four contender last season. They nearly reached Houston, losing by one to San Diego State in the Elite Eight, breaking hearts in Omaha.

A good nucleus is back for the upcoming season, including guard Trey Alexander and center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Finding some consistency in the Big East while playing a tough nonconference schedule could be a recipe for success for the Blue Jays.

3. Gonzaga

After what felt like years, the Drew Timme-era is over for Gonzaga. Timme led the Bulldogs for years and got them so close to the desired national championship. But even if it’s a new era for head coach Mark Few, everyone still expects a quality team.

Gonzaga snagged a player off Creighton, acquiring Ryan Nembhard out of the portal. Marcus Adams Jr. comes from Kansas as well. There might be some chatter of other programs on the West Coast but early on, Gonzaga is still projected to be the class of the Pacific Time Zone.

4. Arkansas

Since Eric Musselman took over, not one SEC team has been as consistent in the NCAA Tournament as Arkansas. In four seasons, there have been two Elite Eight appearances and another Sweet 16. The only time the Hogs did not make the second weekend under Musselman was when COVID-19 shut down the entire event.

Musselman has once again reloaded to put together a competitive team. Six new players are entering through the portal, while Trevon Brazile is the returning star after tearing his ACL. Arkansas will be a real contender to win the SEC.

5. Illinois
6. San Diego State
7. TCU
8. Northwestern
9. Colorado
10. Oregon
11. West Virginia
12. Drake
13. Kent State
14. Colgate
15. Wright State
16. South Dakota State

West Region (Los Angeles)

1. Michigan State

If Michigan State were to acquire a No. 1 seed, it would be the first time since the 2012 NCAA Tournament. In recent years, Tom Izzo has been no higher than a seven-seed. Many feel like the time has come in East Lansing, with the Spartans getting back near the top of college basketball.

Experience will be going in Izzo’s favor. Five of the top six scorers return for another year, with Joey Hauser being the odd man out. Having prior tournament experience plus guard play is what makes you deep runs in March. Michigan State will have both throughout the year.

2. Houston

For the first time, Houston will take the court as a Big 12 program. The Cougars are jumping up from the AAC and even so, are still expected to be a true threat at the end of the season. It speaks to what Kelvin Sampson has been able to accomplish over the years.

LJ Cryer brings plenty of Big 12 experience to the program, averaging double figures over the last two years at Baylor. Mix in some experienced pieces returning, mainly Jamal Shead, and hopes are high in the Space City.

3. Marquette

Marquette was able to win the Big East regular season and tournament championship, the program’s first title of any sort in a decade. Shaka Smart has brought success back to Milwaukee and is going to be even better in 23-24.

All but one player is returning for the upcoming season. Olivier-Maxence Prosper moved onto the NBA but every other Marquette contributor is running it back. Smart has not even had to make portal moves — having that stacked of a roster.

4. Alabama

When you see who has left Alabama, there could be cause for concern. Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney were lottery picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Charles Bediako left to begin his pro career, while Jahvon Quinerly transferred to Memphis.

Nate Oats has still found a way to build an exciting roster, though. Grant Nelson was a huge win out of the portal, beating out Arkansas. He headlines what should be an impressive front court while the guard play is expected to be good again with Rylan Griffen and Mark Sears.

5. Baylor
6. Kentuck
7. UCLA
8. Mississippi State
9. Xavier
10. Clemson
11. Dayton
12. Liberty
13. James Madison
14. Eastern Kentucky
15. Weber State
16. McNeese State

Midwest Region (Detroit)

1. Purdue

Well, the last time a one-seed lost to a 16-seed, they were right back there on Selection Sunday. All Virginia did with the opportunity was win the national championship. A huge redemption story for Tony Bennett after being the joking matter of college basketball for an entire year.

Purdue finds itself in a similar situation and has the ammunition to make noise next March. National Player of the Year Zach Edey returns, looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Ralph Sampson did back in the early 1980s.

2. Tennessee

For the second time under Rick Barnes, Tennessee was able to make the Sweet Sixteen. A loss to Cinderella story FAU prevented a first Elite Eight but progress was made in Knoxville. They will be hoping to be saying the same come next year on Rocky Top.

Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler are going to lead the way, both being top scorers for the Vols last season. Josiah-Jordan James will be praying for a fully healthy season as well, giving Barnes the roster to compete against the SEC’s best.

3. Texas

Of the 16 teams projected to be top-four seeds in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Texas is the only one with a first-year head coach. Rodney Terry coached his way into the full-time job in Austin, forcing the hand of AD Chris Del Conte. Winning the Big 12 Tournament and making the Elite Eight will do that.

Terry will have plenty of talent at his disposal, beginning with the return of Tyrese Hunter. He will pair nicely with prized transfer Max Abmas, while Dylan Disu holds down the fort down low. But one thing is clear early on in Austin — Texas is going to be able to shoot the ball.

4. North Carolina

Last offseason was filled with hype for North Carolina, fresh off a national championship appearance. They failed to even make the NCAA Tournament and skipped an invite from the NIT. A disappointing year for Hubert Daivs but there is still hope in Chapel Hill.

Once again, Armando Bacot is back for another year of college basketball, hoping to remain healthy. Davis has changed his roster outlook too, seeing Caleb Love leave the program. Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram is expected to be a huge addition as UNC looks for a bounce-back season.

5. Villanova
6. USC
7. Memphis
8. Auburn
9. Miami
10. Indiana
11. Virginia / St. John’s
12. Grand Canyon
13. UC Irvine
14. Furman
15. Iona
16. Texas Southern / Wagner

East Region (Boston)

1. Duke

Looking at the 2023 recruiting class Jon Scheyer brought in, they would be a top-four seed projection. But when you include the return of Kyle Filipowski, Duke is going to be as highly ranked as anyone heading into the regular season.

The experience does not end with Filipowski either. Despite having four of the top 20 ranked players in the 2023 class entering the program, none of them are projected starters for Scheyer. Duke is going to be as deep as anybody, having a great mix of new blood and familiar faces.

2. UConn

Dan Hurley finally broke through and brought another national championship back to UConn. The Huskies likely cemented themselves as a blue-blood program in the sport as well, making it No. 5 under three different head coaches.

Momentum is not expected to halt following the win. Hurley would never allow it, wanting to get years of consistent success going to Hartford. At least on paper, UConn looks prime to be another title contender when the brackets are released in around seven months.

3. Arizona

The talk around Tuscon likely revolves around the Big 12 right now. And rightfully so. Arizona will be stepping into an elite basketball conference and will get to face off against some of the sport’s best programs, maybe be a positive aspect of conference realignment.

But Tommy Lloyd still has a good team for the school’s last Pac-12 run. Losing Kerr Kriisa and Courtney Ramey could hurt but Lloyd replaced them with Jaden Bradley (Alabama) and Caleb Love (North Carolina). Double-double machine Azuolas Tubelis (19.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game a season ago)will be the toughest to replace though, with some things still needing figuring out.

4. FAU

Did FAU make a Cinderella run to the Final Four? The Owls lost just four games the entire season but were a nine-seed on Selection Sunday. Big named programs were taken down along the way, being the feel-good story of the NCAA Tournament.

Either way, Dusty May does not care. He’s committed to the future of FAU and hopes for similar results in 2023-2024. There has only been one significant change to the roster this offseason, with Michael Forrest leaving. Everyone returns for what could be another great season in Boca Raton.

5. Texas A&M
6. St. Mary’s
7. Wisconsin
8. Marylan
9. Iowa State
10. Florida
11. Kansas State / Providence
12. Yale
13. Charleston
14. Vermont
15. Radford
16. Morehead State / Howard