Joe Lunardi's Bracketology Update: March Madness Picture Takes Shape
As March begins, the NCAA Tournament picture is becoming clearer. With conference tournaments just around the corner, teams are making their final push to secure spots in the tournament. Here’s a breakdown of the latest updates in Joe Lunardi's Bracketology.
Auburn Remains a Top Seed After Big Win
Auburn stays as the No. 1 overall seed in Lunardi’s bracket after a significant victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena. This win helped Auburn clinch a share of the SEC regular-season title, and with Tennessee’s win over Alabama, they took the SEC crown outright.
Tennessee Jumps to No. 1 Seed
Tennessee made a major jump in Lunardi's latest Bracketology. A thrilling buzzer-beater three-pointer from Jahmai Mashack to defeat Alabama pushed the Vols up from a No. 2 to a No. 1 seed. Tennessee now aims for its first-ever No. 1 seed in program history as it faces Ole Miss and South Carolina in its final regular-season games.
Duke and Houston Secure No. 1 Seed Spots
Duke continues to cruise through the ACC, maintaining its position as a top contender. The Blue Devils have been a consistent No. 1 seed throughout the season and remain one of the favorites for a high seed in the tournament. Houston, which was a No. 2 seed in last week's bracket, has now moved up to a No. 1 seed after impressive victories over Texas Tech and Cincinnati.
Other Top Contenders for No. 1 Seeds
Several teams are still in the hunt for a No. 1 seed. Michigan State, Iowa State, Florida, and Alabama have solid resumes but will need strong finishes to close out the regular season and perform well in their conference tournaments.
Baylor’s Bounce Back
Baylor had been struggling recently but got back on track with a win over Oklahoma State. This victory keeps the Bears in the last four byes in Lunardi’s projection, ensuring they’re still very much in the mix for a strong tournament seeding.
Georgia's Upset Win Boosts Tournament Hopes
Georgia had a strong start to the season but faltered in conference play. However, an upset win over Florida has helped the Bulldogs stay in contention, landing them in Lunardi’s last four in group.
John Calipari’s Kentucky Struggles
Kentucky took a major hit this past weekend, losing to South Carolina, one of the bottom teams in the SEC. This loss hurt the Wildcats’ tournament chances, as it was just the second SEC victory for the Gamecocks.
North Carolina’s Slim Tournament Hopes
North Carolina is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. Although the Tar Heels have won five straight games, they will need a significant upset over rival Duke to stay alive in the tournament conversation.
Nebraska and Oklahoma’s Tournament Hopes Fade
Both Nebraska and Oklahoma experienced losses this week, damaging their chances of making the tournament. Their performances in the final stretch of the season will determine if they can recover..
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