Brayden Burries hits deep 2 to extend Arizona’s late lead (0:21)Brayden Burries drains a long 2-pointer to extend Arizona’s late lead. (0:21)
Joe LunardiFeb 28, 2026, 02:00 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 day — 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 day, 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.
Brayden Burries hits deep 2 to extend Arizona’s late lead (0:21)Brayden Burries drains a long 2-pointer to extend Arizona’s late lead. (0:21)
Last full Saturday of the regular season: And the schedule features 19 of the top 20 teams on the seed list, plus 14 of the 16 current bubble teams.
In with a win: San Diego State and New Mexico will face off for a spot in the next bracket. California (vs. Pittsburgh) and TCU (at Kansas State) are also playing for at-large positions.
Out without: Seton Hall (at UConn), USC (vs. Nebraska), Santa Clara (vs. Oregon State) and Virginia Tech (at North Carolina) are each at risk of falling out of the next bracket or off the First Four Out and Next Four Out bubble with a loss.
(4) Virginia at (1) Duke. If the Blue Devils lose, they could turn over the No. 1 overall seed back to Michigan. 12 p.m., ESPN
(3) Kansas at (1) Arizona. The Wildcats can effectively lock in the 1-seed out West with a revenge win over the Jayhawks. 4 p.m., ESPN
(6) Louisville at (9) Clemson. Key seeding game for two ACC teams heading in the wrong direction. 2 p.m., ESPN2
(11) San Diego State at (First Four Out) New Mexico. Only the winner has a shot at being in our next bracket on Tuesday. 2 p.m., CBS
Pittsburgh at (First Four Out) California. The Golden Bears have a real shot at their first bid in a decade. 4 p.m., ACC Network
(Next Four Out) Seton Hall at (1) UConn. The Pirates must win to keep their slim at-large hopes alive. 12 p.m., FS1
Tennessee State at UT Martin. Nolan Smith’s Tigers can clinch no worse than an OVC tie with a victory. 2 p.m., ESPNU
(3) Nebraska at (First Four Out) USC. The Trojans are playing for their season at this point. 4 p.m., Big Ten Network
Projected field of 68 | NCAA tournament details | Bubble Watch | Champ Week schedule
Brayden Burries drains a long 2-pointer to extend Arizona’s late lead. (0:21)
Joe LunardiFeb 28, 2026, 02:00 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
(10) Texas at (10) Texas A&M. The loser drops to “Last Four In” status. 4 p.m., ESPN2
Howard at (16) Morgan State. Winner-take-all for the top spot in the MEAC. 4 p.m., ESPN+