NCAA Tournament Projections: ESPN releases updated Bracketology after conference tournaments start

The latest ESPN bracketology for the 2025 NCAA Tournament is here as Joe Lunardi updated his projections. Some conference tournaments have already gotten underway and the remaining Power Four brackets are set to begin.

On Wednesday, the Big Ten and SEC tip off and the madness will continue. As far as bracketology is concerned, the SEC and Big Ten have 13 and 10 teams projected to be in the field, respectively.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the last bracketology from Lunardi. We begin with the teams on and outside of the bubble.

ESPN Bracketology: On the Bubble

Last Four Byes: Utah State, Arkansas, Baylor, San Diego State
Last Four In: Oklahoma, Indiana, Xavier, Ohio State
First Four Out: Boise State, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado State
Next Four Out: Dayton, Wake Forest, UC Irvine, Cincinnati

It seems like the last four byes section are safely in, as of now. We know March is wild and this could totally change by the end of the weekend.

Ohio State is the last team in right now, so the Buckeyes might need a win or two in the Big Ten Tournament to feel good. Look at those big names on the First Four Out: North Carolina and Texas need some big moments in the conference tournaments in order to get into the dance, per Lunardi’s bracketology.

South Region – Atlanta

1. Auburn vs. 16. SIU Edwardsville/Southern
8. Memphis vs. 9 West Virginia
5. Oregon vs. 12. UC San Diego
4. Clemson vs. 13. Akron

6. Illinois vs. 11. Vanderbilt
3. Texas A&M vs. 14. Troy
7. Missouri vs. 10. Baylor
2. Michigan State vs. 15 Bryant

Auburn is king of the region and has quite the path to the Elite Eight with Michigan State on the bottom part of the bracket. Illinois moved up in the bracketology, per Lunardi. Might be a team to watch for.

East Region – Newark

1. Duke vs. 16. American/St. Francis
8. UConn vs. 9. Georgia
5. BYU vs. 12. Liberty
4. Maryland vs. 13. High Point

6. UCLA vs. 11. Arkansas
3. Iowa State vs. 14. Northern Colorado
7. Marquette vs. 10. San Diego State
2. Tennessee vs. 15. Robert Morris

The east runs through Duke but they would have a fascinating Round of 32 matchup with two-time defending champion UConn in this bracketology. Sign us up. This bracket is loaded with Tennessee, Iowa State and Maryland rounding out the top four. And just imagine if Arkansas goes on a bit of a run here.

Midwest Region – Indianapolis

1. Houston vs. 16. Quinnipiac
8. Mississippi State vs. 9. Creighton
5. Michigan vs. 12. McNeese
4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Yale

6. Kansas vs. 11. Oklahoma/Indiana
3. St. John’s vs. 14. Lipscomb
7. Gonzaga vs. 10. Drake
2. Alabama vs. 15. Wofford

Houston has been pretty darn consistent this season and is the projected No. 1 seed in Lunardi’s bracketology, at least in the midwest. Alabama is a No. 2 for now, unless they win the SEC. Then that could change! Watch out for St. John’s coming out of this bracket with the way Rick Pitino has his team playing.

West Region – San Francisco

1. Florida vs. 16. Norfolk State
8. Louisville vs. 9. New Mexico
5. Arizona vs. 12. Xavier/Ohio State
4. Purdue vs. 13. UNC Wilmington

6. Saint Mary’s vs. 11. VCU
3. Kentucky vs. 14 Utah Valley
7. Ole Miss vs. 10. Utah State
2. Texas Tech vs. 15 Omaha

Florida has probably exceeded expectations this season and currently hold a No. 1 seed in this bracketology projection. Kentucky and Texas Tech on the same side of the bracket will certainly be fascinating as well. Perhaps Purdue could upset the apple cart in the west and make a run.