Who are Joe Lunardi’s latest projected 1- and 2-seeds in the NCAA tournament? (1:45)Joe Lunardi offers his latest bracketology information, including what Kansas’ loss to Cincinnati means. (1:45)
Joe LunardiFeb 23, 2026, 10:00 AM ETClose Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider Published first public bracket in 1995Follow on XMultiple Authors
By the time Selection Sunday arrives, there will have been plenty of movement in the projected field of 68 for the 2026 NCAA tournament regarding the teams that are in, as well as those looking to get in.
While our Tuesday and Friday Bracketology updates allow us to look at the race to March Madness holistically twice a week, results every day matter and can affect teams — whether they’re playing or not.
Men’s Bracketologist Joe Lunardi is tracking every relevant game every night — and why shouldn’t you?
Here, we provide an inside look at the headlines and upcoming matchups that inform Joey Brackets’ calculations on any given night, as he projects the teams that could have their names called on Selection Sunday (March 15).
A couple of housekeeping things: This page will update every day between Monday and Saturday, with some exceptions. Games are listed in order of importance to bracket movement. A team’s projection on that day is listed in parentheses if not otherwise noted.
Who are Joe Lunardi’s latest projected 1- and 2-seeds in the NCAA tournament? (1:45)Joe Lunardi offers his latest bracketology information, including what Kansas’ loss to Cincinnati means. (1:45)
Joe Lunardi offers his latest bracketology information, including what Kansas’ loss to Cincinnati means. (1:45)
A new No. 1 overall: Duke’s win over Michigan moves the Blue Devils above the Wolverines to take the top spot — setting off a domino effect on the top four lines of each region. One could argue the order of Michigan (No. 2 overall) and Arizona (No. 3 overall). It is essentially a distinction without a difference.
The 1-seed that didn’t last: The selection committee’s top 16 reveal, which included Iowa State as a semisurprising 1-seed, had a shelf life of less than 12 hours after the Cyclones lost at BYU late Saturday. UConn — which won earlier at Villanova — moved back up to the top line.
Who’s lurking right behind: After a rough week with losses to Iowa State and Arizona, Houston could return to the 1-seed picture (though not the actual seed line, yet) with a win at Phog Allen tonight.
The new 2-seeds: Iowa State, Purdue, Houston, Illinois (drops to the final 2-seed spot overtime upset loss at UCLA).
More bad news for the Buckeyes: Barring a miracle, the Buckeyes are going to have a hard time overcoming an 0-9 record in Quad 1 for at-large consideration from the committee.
(6) Louisville at (6) North Carolina. A pair of 6-seeds, both with designs on a No. 4 spot, tangle for the first and only time in Chapel Hill. The loser will be out of the running for a protected spot on that 4-line. 7 p.m., ESPN
Projected field of 68 | NCAA tournament details | Bubble Watch | Champ Week schedule
Joe LunardiFeb 23, 2026, 10:00 AM ETClose Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider Published first public bracket in 1995Follow on XMultiple Authors
Close Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider Published first public bracket in 1995Follow on X
The new 4-seeds: Michigan State, Texas Tech, Virginia, Alabama.
New Orleans at (13) Stephen F. Austin. SFA clinches no worse than a Southland tie with a win. 7:30 p.m., ESPN+