NCAA Tournament: ESPN released updated Bracketology with multiple new No. 1 seeds

With a month in the rearview mirror, college basketball teams are officially in the thick of the season. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his latest bracketology to account for the past week’s outcomes.

He had plenty to consider, with two Top-25 matchups unfolding on Saturday and No. 1 Kansas being knocked off by Missouri less than 24 hours later. Lunardi’s bracketology adjusted for each shocking result, with two new No. 1 seeds.

With 12 teams in the bracket, the SEC led all conferences. However, the Big Ten didn’t trail far behind, with 11 teams in Lunardi’s vision for March. With so much to cover, let’s dive into Lunardi’s latest 2025 March Madness bracketology.

ESPN Bracketology: On the Bubble

After suffering three straight losses from Nov. 22-27, Creighton has bounced back in a big way. Last week, the Bluejays rattled off back-to-back wins, including a convincing 76-63 victory over Kansas. While teams like Creighton are beginning to find their rhythm, typical powerhouses such as Arizona are still struggling, entering the upcoming week with a 4-4 record.

Last Four Byes: Utah State, Penn State, Creighton, West Virginia
Last Four In: Arizona State, Arkansas, BYU, Indiana
First Four Out: Arizona, UC Irvine, Nebraska, LSU
Next Four Out: Iowa, Vanderbilt, Butler, Missouri

Midwest Region – Indianapolis

Tennessee replaced Kansas as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region after Kansas suffered back-to-back losses this past week. Lunardi isn’t the only one who’s noticed Tennessee’s impressive season, thus far. The Volunteers also improved to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this week.

1. Tennessee vs. 16. Southern
8. Dayton vs. 9. Saint Mary’s
5. Michigan State vs. 12. UC San Diego
4. Clemson vs. 13. Kent State

6. Ole Miss vs. 11. Drake
3. Houston vs. 14. Norfolk State
7. Wisconsin vs. 10. Georgia
2. Gonzaga vs. 15. Montana State

West Region – San Francisco

Marquette improved to a No. 1 seed in Lunardi’s bracketology this week despite suffering an 81-70 loss to No. 3 Iowa State last Wednesday. It was the Golden Eagles’ first loss of the season but that didn’t deter them. Only three days later, Marquette defeated No. 2 Wisconsin 88-74.

1. Marquette vs. 16. Merrimack/Youngstown State
8. Oklahoma vs. 9. Ohio State
5. Mississippi State vs. 12. Grand Canyon
4. Oregon vs. 13. Princeton

6. Memphis vs. 11. Creighton
3. Kansas vs. 14. South Dakota State
7. Pittsburgh vs. 10. Utah State
2. Alabama vs. 15. Central Connecticut

South Region – Atlanta

Auburn maintained its spot as the No. 1 seed in the South Region this week and, further, improved to Lunardi’s No. 1 overall seed. Auburn lost for the first time last week, falling 84-78 to No. 4 Duke. Alas, Lunardi is still uber-confident in the Tigers, who boast four Quad 1 wins in five weeks.

1. Auburn vs. 16. Nicholls/Hampton
8. North Carolina vs. 9. San Diego State
5. Michigan vs. 12. Liberty
4. Baylor vs. 13. Furman

6. Illinois vs. 11. Arizona State/Arkansas
3. Florida vs. 14. Lipscomb
7. St. John’s vs. 10. Texas Tech
2. Duke vs. 15. Little Rock

East Region – Newark

Iowa State ascended to a No. 1 seed in Lunardi’s latest bracketology. Since losing 83-81 to Auburn in the Maui Invitational, the Cyclones have won four straight games, including a comfortable 81-70 win over No. 6 Marquette. As expected, Iowa State’s defense has been stifling this season, forcing opponents to commit just shy of 17 turnovers per game.

1. Iowa State vs. 16. American
8. Maryland vs. 9. Texas
5. UCLA vs. 12. BYU/Indiana
4. Texas A&M vs. 13. Arkansas State

6. UConn vs. 11. West Virginia
3. Purdue vs. 14. High Point
7. Cincinnati vs. 10. Penn State
2. Kentucky vs. 15. UMass Lowell