ESPN releases updated Bracketology ahead of loaded college basketball weekend

On3 imageby:Nick Schultz01/27/23

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A big weekend of college basketball gets rolling Saturday, highlighted by the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Ahead of the impressive slate of games, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his latest Bracketology projections for the 68-team March Madness field.

Purdue remains the nation’s No. 1 overall seed while Tennessee moved up to a No. 1 seed. Alabama and Houston round out the one-seeds in Lunardi’s projection, meaning two SEC teams are among the top four seeds in the field as February fast approaches.

Bracketology: Last four in/First four out

Last Four Byes: Maryland, Memphis, Kentucky, USC

Last Four In: Arizona State, West Virginia, Pitt, Wisconsin

First Four Out: Nevada, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Oklahoma State

Next Four Out: Penn State, Oklahoma, Florida, Wake Forest

Bracketology: South Region (Louisville)

No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Southeast Louisiana/Fairleigh Dickinson

No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 9 Creighton

No. 5 Duke vs. No. 12 Kent State

No. 4 TCU vs. No. 13 Southern Illinois

No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Kentucky

No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 UNC Greensboro

No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Boise State

No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 15 Siena

East Region (New York)

No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 16 Northern Kentucky

No. 8 North Carolina vs. No. 9 New Mexico

No. 5 UConn vs. No. 12 Pitt/Wisconsin

No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 13 Southern Miss

No. 6 Providence vs. No. 11 USC

No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Princeton

No. 7 Auburn vs. No. 10 Northwestern

No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 UNC Asheville

Midwest Region (Kansas City)

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Southern/Tennessee Tech

No. 8 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 9 Iowa

No. 5 Miami vs. No. 12 VCU

No. 4 Marquette vs. No. 13 Liberty

No. 6 Indiana vs. No. 11 West Virginia/Arizona State

No. 3 Xavier vs. No. 14 Colgate

No. 7 Clemson vs. No. 10 Maryland

No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 15 Vermont

West Region (Las Vegas)

No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Maryland Eastern Shore

No. 8 NC State vs. No. 9 Missouri

No. 5 Rutgers vs. No. 12 Oral Roberts

No. 4 Kansas State vs. No. 13 Seattle

No. 6 Michigan State vs. No. 11 Charleston

No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No 14 UC Santa Barbara

No. 7 San Diego State vs. No. 10 Memphis

No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Eastern Washington