ESPN releases updated Bracketology with big changes to projected NCAA Tournament field

Heading into the final two weeks of 2022, there have already been some landscape-shifting results across college basketball. ESPN’s latest Bracketology, which came out Wednesday, reveals how upset losses and big-time matchups have impacted the postseason picture.

After moving into the top spot in the AP Top 25 this week, the unbeaten Purdue Boilermakers have overtaken Houston for the No. 1 seed. Five quad one wins in the first five weeks make the Boilermakers’ resume that much more impressive.

With nine teams featured in the latest projections for the NCAA March Madness tournament, the Big 12 leads the way, followed by the Big Ten with eight teams and the SEC with seven.

Here are Joe Lunardi’s full Bracketology projections ahead of Wednesday night action.

Bracketology after Week 5: Last four in/first four out

Last four byes: Michigan State, TCU, Utah, Texas Tech

Last four in: Kansas State, UNLV, New Mexico, Oklahoma

First four out: Penn State, Rutgers, FAU, Ole Miss

Next four out: LSU, Michigan, NC State, Boise State

Bracketology: Midwest Region

1. Virginia vs. 16. Norfolk State

8. Marquette vs. 9 San Diego State

5. Mississippi State vs. 12. Saint Louis

4. Indiana vs. 13. Yale

6. West Virginia vs. 11 St. John’s

3. Arkansas vs. 14. Furman

7. Wisconsin vs. 10. TCU

2. Houston vs. 15. Colgate

East Region

1. UConn vs. 16. Northwestern State

8. Iowa State vs. 9. St. Mary’s

5. Maryland vs. 12. Iona

4. Kentucky vs. 13. James Madison

6. Ohio State vs. 11. Charleston

3. Duke vs. 14. UMass Lowell

7. Xavier vs. 10. Utah

2. Kansas vs. 15. High Point

South Region

1. Purdue vs. 16. Cleveland St/Wagner

8. Arizona State vs. 9. North Carolina

5. Auburn vs. 12. Kent State

4. UCLA vs. 13. Bradley

6. Virginia Tech vs. 11. Kansas St/UNLV

3. Baylor vs. 14. Oral Roberts

7. Iowa vs. 10. Texas Tech

2. Tennessee vs. 15. Liberty

West Region

1. Alabama vs. 16. Grambling State

8. Utah State vs. 9. Creighton

5. Illinois vs. 12. Sam Houston

4. Gonzaga vs. 13. UC Irvine

6. Memphis vs. 11. Oklahoma/New Mexico

3. Texas vs. 14. Middle Tennessee

7. Miami vs. 10. Michigan State

2. Arizona vs. 15. Montana State