ESPN releases updated way-too-early 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology

Joe Lunardi and his NCAA Tournament Bracketology never takes a day off. While there’s plenty of time before college basketball tips-off once again, Lunardi dropped his way-too-early 2022 NCAA Tournament Bracketology, making his predictions for next season’s tournament.

“Will the Kansas Jayhawks become the first repeat champion in men’s college basketball since Florida in 2006-07?,” wondered Lunardi. “That’s among the questions to consider in the offseason prelude to the 2022-23 season, a period that will include a frenzy of transfer movement and the usual spate of NBA draft decisions.

“When the dust settles, Division I’s 350+ teams will begin considering the march to the 2023 NCAA tournament, a journey that will end at Houston’s NRG Stadium for the Final Four on April 1 and 3.”

In Lunardi’s way-too-early edition for next season, he believes the Gonzaga Bulldogs will be the No. 1 overall seed entering the tournament. It was a disappointing end to last season’s iteration of the event for Mark Few’s squad, as the Bulldogs fell to Arkansas in the Sweet 16. However, Gonzaga received a huge boost, as star center Drew Timme announced he would be returning to the program next season.

Here’s Joe Lunardi’s full 68-team field, as featured in his way-too-early 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology.

NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Last four in/first four out

Last four in (with byes): Florida, Wyoming, St. John’s, Notre Dame

Last four in: Memphis, Colorado, Rutgers, Saint Mary’s

First four out: Providence, Iowa State, Loyola Chicago, Stanford

Next four out: Wisconsin, Tulane, LSU, Cincinnati

West Region

1) Gonzaga vs. 16) Morehead State
8) Xavier vs. 9) USC

5) San Diego State vs. 12) UAB
4) Auburn vs. 13) UC Santa Barbara

6) Michigan vs. 11) Notre Dame
3) Creighton vs. 14) Oral Roberts

7) Texas Tech vs. 10) Iowa
2) UCLA vs. 15) Youngstown State

East Region

1) North Carolina vs. 16) UNC Asheville
8) Texas A&M vs. 9) Ohio State

5) Albany vs. 12) Liberty
4) Villanova vs. 13) Towson

6) Virginia vs. 11) Memphis/Seton Hall
3) Tennessee vs. 14) Penn

7) Michigan State vs. 10) Wyoming
2) Texas vs. 15) Montana State

South Region

1) Kentucky vs. 16) Norfolk State/Sacred Heart
8) UConn vs. 9) Virginia Tech

5) Dayton vs. 12) Furman
4) Indiana vs. 13) Drake

6) Illinois vs. 11) Oklahoma
3) Duke vs. 14) Iona

7) Saint Louis vs. 10) Florida
2) Kansas vs. 15) Colgate

Midwest Region

1) Houston vs. 16) Nicholls/Jackson State
8) Miami vs. 9) Oklahoma State

5) Arizona vs. 12) Toledo
4) TCU vs. 13) Grand Canyon

6) Oregon vs. 11) Rutgers/Saint Mary’s
3) Arkansas vs. 14) Louisville

7) Purdue vs. 10) St. John’s
2) Baylor vs. 15) Vermont