NCAA Tournament Projection: Joe Lunardi releases new bracketology ahead of weekend slate

This year’s college basketball season has already been exciting with upsets, top 25 matchups, and even some coaching changes. As the season progresses, more teams will establish themselves as contenders to play in March. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has released his latest bracketology, including a full NCAA Tournament projection.

Lunardi’s Bracketology was last updated on Dec. 3 at 8:15 a.m. ET.

First four out/last four in

Last four (with byes): Oklahoma, Saint Mary’s, Louisville, West Virginia.

Last four in: Providence, San Francisco, Wichita State, San Diego State.

First four out: Utah State, Mississippi State, Maryland, St. John’s.

Next four out: Virginia, Oregon, Washington State, Texas A&M.

Lunardi’s full NCAA Tournament projection: Midwest region

1. Purdue vs. 16. Nicholls State/Texas Southern
8. Florida State vs. 9. Texas Tech

5. UConn vs. 12. UAB
4. Kentucky vs. 13. Weber State

6. Wisconsin vs. 11. San Francisco/San Diego State
3. Arizona vs. 14. Oakland

7. Xavier vs. 10. Colorado State
2. Kansas vs. 15. Georgia State

Lunardi’s NCAA Tournament South region

1. Baylor vs. 16. James Madison
8. Virginia Tech vs. 9. Marquette

5. Ohio State vs. 12. Loyola Chicago
4. Alabama vs. 13. South Dakota State

6. LSU vs. 11. Louisville
3. USC vs. 14. Grand Canyon

7. BYU vs. 10. Oklahoma
2. Houston vs. 15. Campbell

East region

1. Duke vs. 16. Harvard/Norfolk State
8. Seton Hall vs. 9. Indiana

5. Florida vs. 12. Ohio
4. Michigan State vs. 13. Iona

6. Memphis vs. 11. West Virginia
3. Arkansas vs. 14. Chattanooga

7. St. Bonaventure vs. 10. Illinois
2. Villanova vs. 15. Vermont

West region

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Wagner
8. Iowa vs. 9. North Carolina

5. Auburn vs. 12. Belmont
4. Texas vs. 13. UC Irvine

6. Michigan vs. 11. Providence/Wichita State
3. Tennessee vs. 14. Navy

7. Iowa State vs. 10. Saint Mary’s
2. UCLA vs. 15. Liberty

Lunardi’s NCAA Tournament projection has the Big Ten with the most selections

The last week has been chaotic for teams ranked No. 1. First, Gonzaga faced off against Duke, and the Blue Devils came away with the victory. That resulted in Duke leaping up to take control of the No. 1 spot. But then, Duke fell to Ohio State, which will likely result in a new top team when the next poll is released. The team that is the most likely to take over the top spot is Purdue. Purdue also comes in as Lunardi’s top overall seed in his NCAA Tournament projection.

The Big Ten leads the way in Lunardi’s NCAA Tournament projection with eight projected teams. There are seven teams from the Big 12 and SEC, while six from the Big East and five ACC teams make it in. The WCC (four), Pac-12 (three), AAC (three) and Mountain West (two) also have multiple selections.

There is still a lot of basketball left to be played, so there are going to be continuous changes in Lunardi’s NCAA Tournament projections throughout the end of the year. But after a chaotic start, it is going to be a fun race to the finish.