NCAA Tournament Projections: ESPN releases updated Bracketology ahead of loaded Saturday slate

Ahead of a loaded Saturday slate in the college basketball world, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has released another updated look at his Bracketology projections.

There’s bound to be a shakeup after this weekend’s games, with Alabama traveling to Lexington to face Kentucky, Purdue heading to Eugene to take on Oregon, and Auburn making the trip to Athens to battle with Georgia on Saturday afternoon. All those games and more should have an effect on where Lunardi’s projections move.

With that in mind, here’s how Lunardi projects the 2025 NCAA Tournament will shake out at the moment, as he’s provided a baseline before a monstrous Saturday slate.

ESPN Bracketology: On the Bubble

As is usually the case each week, several teams, including multiple big-name programs, moved up and down on the bubble to end this week for ESPN’s Lunardi.

For starters, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Texas made their way onto the right side of the bubble, while others like Vanderbilt, Iowa and Arkansas are currently on the outside looking in. It’ll be their duty to change that over the next two months.

Last Four Byes: Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Saint Mary’s, Nebraska
Last Four In: Ohio State, Creighton, New Mexico, Texas
First Four Out: Vanderbilt, Iowa, UCF, Cincinnati
Next Four Out: Arizona State, SMU, Arkansas, Dayton

South Region – Atlanta

First, Lunardi has Auburn as the top overall seed, and they’ll be heading up the South Region. The Tigers have been incredible throughout the current campaign, currently 16-1 and looking for more against Georgia on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Kentucky comes in behind the Tigers, with preseason darling Kansas to follow. With Gonzaga and North Carolina making up the middle of the region, this would be a fascinating collection of games to watch if it comes to fruition.

1. Auburn vs. 16. Morehead State/Howard
8. West Virginia vs. 9. North Carolina
5. Gonzaga vs. 12. Lipscomb
4. Michigan vs. 13. Northern Colorado

6. Wisconsin vs. 11. Bradley
3. Kansas vs. 14. New Mexico State
7. Utah State vs. 10. Texas Tech
2. Kentucky vs. 15. Cleveland State

East Region – Newark

Next, Lunardi has Duke heading to the Prudential Center in Newark, leading the East Region. The Blue Devils have arguably the most exhilarating player in the nation in Cooper Flagg, and it’d be a treat for the fans in New Jersey to see him up close and in person if they end up at the home of the NHL’s Devils.

Florida, one of the surprise teams in the country, slots in at No. 2, followed by Michigan State in Lunardi’s rankings at No. 3. The reigning, defending champions of the college basketball world in UConn are headed to the East Region at No. 5, and they would be a sexy pick if it worked out this way.

1. Duke vs. 16. Bryant
8. Maryland vs. 9. San Diego State
5. UConn vs. 12. George Mason
4. Texas A&M vs. 13. Yale

6. Louisville vs. 11. UC Irvine
3. Michigan State vs. 14. UAB
7. Baylor vs. 10. Oklahoma
2. Florida vs. 15. Marist

Midwest Region – Indianapolis

Doubt Iowa State at your own risk. Lunardi certainly isn’t, as he believes the one-loss Cyclones will lock up a top seed, putting them at the forefront of the Midwest Region in Indianapolis in his latest projections.

Alabama would have something to say to Iowa State at the No. 2 seed, with Purdue slotting in as one of the hometown favorites at No. 4, as well. Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm will always be an interesting choice in any region, and they could pull some upsets if they advance as the No. 7 seed in this scenario.

1. Iowa State vs. 16. Colgate/Long Island
8. Missouri vs. 9. Pittsburgh
5. Ole Miss vs. 12. McNeese State
4. Purdue vs. 13. South Alabama

6. Memphis vs. 11. Iowa/Texas
3. Illinois vs. 14. Radford
7. St. John’s vs. 10. Saint Mary’s
2. Alabama vs. 15. Southern

West Region – San Francisco

Finally, Lunardi has Tennessee heading out west to San Francisco. The Volunteers would be a long way from home, but the honor of being the top seed in a region would be nothing to scoff at for one of the SEC’s best.

Marquette would follow them to California in Lunardi’s projections, but Oregon may be the most interesting team in the region at No. 3. Elsewhere, UCLA fans would certainly travel well if given the opportunity, as the No. 9-seeded Bruins could make some noise in Lunardi’s bracket.

1. Tennessee vs. 16. Omaha
8. Clemson vs. 9. UCLA
5. Mississippi State vs. 12. Samford
4. Houston vs. 13. Akron

6. Arizona vs. 11. Creighton/New Mexico
3. Oregon vs. 14. Utah Valley
7. Georgia vs. 10. Nebraska
2. Marquette vs. 15. William Mary