Ad Disclosure
2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Joe Lunardi’s latest projection includes 9 Big Ten teams
Published:
2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology is heating up as Selection Sunday is now less than 2 weeks away.
On Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi updated his field of 68 projection. His latest bracket includes 9 teams from the Big Ten who are already in the field, plus 2 more programs who are currently on the wrong side of the bubble.
Here’s Lunardi’s breakdown of the Big Ten teams who are in the field of 68 as of Tuesday morning:
- Purdue — No. 1 seed (East)
- Indiana — No. 4 seed (South)
- Northwestern — No. 6 seed (Midwest)
- Michigan State — No. 7 seed (Midwest)
- Maryland — No. 7 seed (West)
- Iowa — No. 8 seed (South)
- Illinois — No. 9 seed (Midwest)
- Rutgers — No. 9 seed (East)
- Wisconsin — No. 11 seed (South)
As a No. 11 seed, Wisconsin would have to go to Dayton for the play-in round. Lunardi’s projection currently has the Badgers slated to face Arizona State in Dayton.
Elsewhere on the bubble are Michigan and Penn State. The Wolverines have some momentum after winning 3 games in a row, but end the regular season on the road vs. Illinois and Indiana. Penn State recently blew a 19-point lead to Rutgers, which could prove to be devastating for its Tournament chances.
Purdue headlines this group as a No. 1 seed despite losing 4 of its last 6 contest. The Boilermakers may not hold that distinction for much longer, however. Purdue will end the year with games against Wisconsin and Illinois.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.