ESPN unveils way-too-early Bracketology for 2023 NCAA Tournament

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner05/17/22

Jonathan Wagner

There is still a lot of time between now and the start of the 2022-2023 college basketball season, but it’s never too early to take a look ahead. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi just revealed his latest Bracketology for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, providing an intriguing glimpse into what next year’s field could look like.

Lunardi’s top overall seed is Kentucky, with North Carolina, Houston, and Baylor also coming in as No. 1 seeds. Kansas, the defending national champions, come in as a No. 2 seed in Kentucky’s region.

There will still be more changes within college basketball over the coming weeks, especially with the 2022 NBA Draft looming. Players that are early entrants into the draft process have until June 13 to withdraw from the NBA Draft. There are still some talented players that remain in the transfer portal as well, with teams still not done filling out their rosters just yet.

The Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 lead the way with seven selections apiece, while the ACC and Big East are just behind with six teams. There are four teams in the 2023 Bracketology field from the Pac-12, three from the Mountain West, and two each from the WCC, American, and Atlantic 10.

With all of that in mind, here is a look at Lunardi’s 2023 Bracketology.

2023 Bracketology: South Region

1. Kentucky vs. 16. Texas A&M Corpus Christi/Howard
8. Oklahoma State vs. 9. Oregon

5. Virginia vs. 12. UAB
4. Michigan vs. 13. UC Santa Barbara

6. Dayton vs. 11. Memphis
3. Duke vs. 14. Iona

7. Xavier vs. 10. USC
2. Kansas vs. 15. Colgate

West Region

1. Houston vs. 16. SIU Edwardsville
8. Saint Louis vs. 9. Colorado State

5. Alabama vs. 12. Liberty
4. TCU vs. 13. Grand Canyon

6. Michigan State vs. 11. St. John’s
3. Tennessee vs. 14. Penn

7. San Diego State vs. 10. Oklahoma
2. UCLA vs. 15. Montana State

East Region

1. North Carolina vs. 16. Longwood
8. Texas A&M vs. 9. UConn

5. Indiana vs. 12. Toledo
4. Texas vs. 13. Towson

6. Purdue vs. 11. Saint Mary’s/Notre Dame
3. Creighton vs. 14. Oral Roberts

7. Ohio State vs. 10. Miami
2. Arkansas vs. 15. Vermont

Midwest Region

1. Baylor vs. 16. Jackson State/Sacred Heart
8. Iowa vs. 9. Florida

5. Auburn vs. 12 Drake
4. Villanova vs. 13. UNC Greensboro

6. Texas Tech vs. 11. Wyoming/Florida State
3. Arizona vs. 14. Louisiana

7. Illinois vs. 10. Providence
2. Gonzaga vs. 15. Northern Kentucky