ESPN releases updated Bracketology, NCAA Tournament projections 24 hours ahead of Selection Sunday
Selection Sunday is on the precipice of turning the college basketball world upside down. With 24 hours to go, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi updated his Bracketology on Saturday.
There’s still the matter of a couple of conference tournament champions to crown, but we’re beginning to paint a clearer picture of who will hear their name called come Sunday afternoon. Some squads know they’re in, while some will be hoping a little luck is on their side on St. Patrick’s Day.
There’s no time to waste, with the moment this close. Let’s dive into Lunardi’s latest Bracketology, featuring who he believes will be getting a ticket to the dance.
ESPN Bracketology: On The Bubble
Last Four Byes: Colorado State, TCU, Michigan State, Texas A&M
Last Four In: Oklahoma, St. John’s, Virginia, New Mexico
First Four Out: Seton Hall, Indiana State, Pittsburgh, Providence
Next Four Out: Kansas State, Wake Forest, Oregon, NC State
Midwest Region (Detroit) | No. 1 Purdue
First, Lunardi has the Purdue Boilermakers and Zach Edey leading the charge in the Midwest. The darling Iowa State Cyclones capture the No. 2 seed, where they’ll hope to continue their awesome season.
(1) Purdue vs. (16) Montana State/Grambling State
(8) Boise State vs. (9) Mississippi State
(5) San Diego State vs. (12) McNeese State
(4) Kentucky vs. (13) Vermont
(6) Washington State vs. (11) Oklahoma/Virginia
(3) Creighton vs. (14) Morehead State
(7) Utah State vs. (10) Texas A&M
(2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State
West (Los Angeles) | No. 1 UNC
The North Carolina Tar Heels continue their revenge tour, and they’ll do so as a top seed, according to Lunardi, leading the West in beautiful Los Angeles. Former Tar Heel Caleb Love and the Arizona Wildcats are the No. 2 seed in this portion of the bracket.
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Wagner/Howard
(8) Northwestern vs. (9) Colorado State
(5) BYU vs. (12) Grand Canyon
(4) Alabama vs. (13) Samford
(6) Saint Mary’s vs. (11) Drake
(3) Baylor vs. (14) Oakland
(7) Nevada vs. (10) Michigan State
(2) Arizona vs. (15) Longwood
South (Dallas) | No. 1 Houston
Arguably the most consistent team throughout the campaign, Houston gets to stay close to home and lead the South side of the bracket in Dallas, per Lunardi. Shaka Smart’s Marquette squad slot in at No. 2 in this region.
(1) Houston vs. (16) UC Davis
(8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Colorado State
(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) South Florida
(4) Auburn vs. (13) VCU
(6) Florida vs. (11) St. John’s/New Mexico
(3) Illinois vs. (14) Akron
(7) Gonzaga vs. (10) TCU
(2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky
East (Boston) | No. 1 UConn
The reigning, defending champions of the college basketball world have returned with a vengeance, and they’ll lead the way in the East, as UConn takes over Boston. After yearning for a top seed, the Tennessee Volunteers slot in at No. 2, following their unceremonious exit from the SEC Tournament.
(1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson
(8) Clemson vs. (9) Dayton
(5) South Carolina vs. (12) Princeton
(4) Kansas vs. (13) Charleston
(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) James Madison
(3) Duke vs. (14) Colgate
(7) Nebraska vs. (10) Colorado
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Fairfield
As you can see, Joe Lunardi made some fascinating predictions in the latest edition of his Bracketology. We’ll see how many of his picks come true, with Selection Sunday looming in the immediate future. It should be a doozy.