Joe Lunardi’s men’s Bracketology March Madness watch guideJoe LunardiMar 7, 2026, 05:27 PM ETClose
- Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN
- Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider
- Published first public bracket in 1995
By the time Selection Sunday arrives in eight days, there will have been plenty of movement in the projected field of 68 for the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament regarding the teams that are in, as well as those looking to get in.
While Bracketology allows us to look at the race to March Madness holistically, results every day matter and can affect teams — whether they’re playing or not. It is particularly important during Champ Week, when a team’s bracket fate hangs on the two weeks of single-elimination conference tournaments — whether it is a lock for the field or on the bubble. We’re taking you inside the mind of men’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi, who is tracking every single game, and the associated stakes, between updating his projections for the field of 68.
We’ll give you an inside look at the headlines that inform Joey Brackets’ calculations through Champ Week and all the way up to Selection Sunday (March 15).
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.
Scores available here. All times Eastern
Projected field of 68 |
Bubble Watch |
Champ Week schedule |
NCAA tournament details
Saturday
HEADLINES
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A change on the top line: UConn’s bad loss gives Florida the fourth No. 1 seed, as the Gators take on Kentucky right now.
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State of the bubble: Despite losing a fourth straight at Florida State, SMU hangs on to its “Last Four In” position… for now.
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Conference tournament updates: Top seeds High Point (Big South), Merrimack (MAAC), Central Arkansas (ASUN) and Tennessee State (OVC) all continue conference tournament play Saturday; all would be replaced in the projected field with a loss.
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NIT projections: The following non-high-major regular-season champions are guaranteed an NIT auto bid, should they lose in their conference tournaments: Miami (Ohio) (MAC), South Florida (American), Belmont (MVC), High Point (Big South), Liberty (CUSA), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), UNC Wilmington (Coastal) and North Dakota State (Summit League).
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GAMES THAT COULD AFFECT THE BRACKET
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(1) Florida at (6) Kentucky. A No. 1 seed is now Florida’s to lose. 4 p.m., ESPN
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(5) North Carolina at (1) Duke. Both teams are staring at major seeding/placement opportunities — yes, even 1-seed Duke. 6:30 p.m., ESPN
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(Last Team In) Indiana at (9) Ohio State. This isn’t a must-win for the Hoosiers, but it’s also not a must-win for the Hoosiers. 5:30 p.m., FOX
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(First Four Out) Auburn at (4) Alabama. Auburn has backed itself into a must-win corner on the final day of the regular season. 8:30 p.m., ESPN
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(10) Texas A&M at LSU. The Aggies have some wiggle room but would be foolish to test it at LSU. 6 p.m. SEC Network
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(Next Four Out) Cal at Wake Forest. The Golden Bears have left themselves zero margin for error. 4 p.m., ACC Network
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(Considered) Oklahoma at (10) Texas. It’s a last stand for the Sooners and a seed opportunity for the Longhorns. 8:30 p.m., SEC Network
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(9) UCLA at (Considered) USC. The Trojans can pretty much kiss an NCAA tournament appearance goodbye with another loss. 9 p.m., FS1
