ESPN releases updated Bracketology for 2023 March Madness

The college basketball season is still quite young and conference play is still a good ways away, but that doesn’t mean that March Madness isn’t looming large — as always — over the sport. And with some big time matchups providing some new data points, ESPN has updated its Bracketology projections for NCAA Tournament.

A handful of new teams have cracked the projected NCAA Tournament field, one that’s dominated by 10 teams from the Big Ten. Only Rutgers, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota are currently projected not to make the 68-team field for March Madness.

And the State of Texas is in control of 50% of the No. 1 seeds per ESPN if the tournament started today, with Houston projected as the top overall seed and Texas as the top seed in the South region. Joining them on the projected top seed line for March Madness are North Carolina and Gonzaga.

It’s a long time until March Madness 2023, but the race for NCAA Tournament seeding is already in full swing.

ESPN March Madness projection for 2023 NCAA Tournament

Last four byes: Arizona State, Mississippi State, Penn State, West Virginia

Last four in: Florida, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas A&M

First four out: Ole Miss, LSU, Iowa State, UAB

Next four out: Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Utah State

Midwest

1) Houston vs. 16) Wagner/McNeese State
8) Dayton vs. 9) Miami

5) Alabama vs. 12) Seton Hall/Texas A&M
4) Illinois vs. 13) UC Santa Barbara

6) Tennessee vs. 11) Penn State
3) Duke vs. 14) Colgate

7) Ohio State vs. 10) Arizona State
2) Baylor vs. 15) Montana State

South

1) Texas vs. 16) Longwood
8) Virginia Tech vs. 9) Wisconsin

5) Auburn vs. 12) Toledo
4) Michigan State vs. 13) Iona

6) Purdue vs. 11) West Virginia
3) Arkansas vs. 14) Liberty

7) Xavier vs. 10) TCU
2) Virginia vs. 15) Vermont

East

1) North Carolina vs. 16) Norfolk State
8) Memphis vs. 9) Villanova

5) Iowa vs. 12) Towson
4) Kentucky vs. 13) Grand Canyon

6) UConn vs. 11) Drake
3) Arizona vs. 14) Yale

7) Maryland vs. 10) Mississippi State
2) Kansas vs. 15) Northern Kentucky

West

1) Gonzaga vs. 16) Morehead State/Southern
8) Michigan vs. 9) St. Louis

5) UCLA vs. 12) Furman
4) Creighton vs. 13) James Madison

6) Texas Tech vs. 11) Florida/Oregon
3) San Diego State vs. 14) Oral Roberts

7) Saint Mary’s vs. 10) St. John’s
2) Indiana vs. 15) Middle Tennessee State