Joe Lunardi’s 2026 Bracketology: Seeds and Bubble Teams Post Duke-UNC
Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology update sheds light on the NCAA tournament landscape following Duke’s 76-61 victory over North Carolina. This win has added clarity to the projected seeds for the 2026 tournament.
Current No. 1 Seeds
In his recent analysis, Lunardi maintains that Duke holds one of the four coveted No. 1 seeds. The other No. 1 seed projections include Michigan, Arizona, and Florida.
Impact of UConn’s Loss
Once a strong contender for the top seed, UConn has slipped down the rankings following a 68-62 loss to Marquette. This defeat allowed St. John’s to clinch the Big East regular-season title outright, changing the dynamics of the tournament picture.
Teams on the Bubble
Lunardi’s update has identified several teams on the bubble. Notably, the following schools are classified as the “first four out”:
- Indiana
- Virginia Tech
- New Mexico
- Cincinnati
Challenges Facing Bubble Teams
Each of these teams faces significant hurdles. Indiana’s record stands at 18-13, with a disappointing 9-11 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have lost five of their last six games, including a 91-78 loss to Ohio State on Saturday.
Cincinnati made headlines with an upset over Kansas on February 21, but immediately followed that with a 12-point defeat to Texas Tech. Their recent 73-63 loss to TCU has further complicated their tournament bid.
Auburn, currently 16-15, struggled against Alabama, but their tough schedule may still provide an opportunity for postseason play. According to KenPom, they possess the second-toughest strength of schedule in the nation.
Potential Surprise Entrants
Santa Clara is another team vying for a March Madness bid, boasting a 24-7 record and a solid 15-3 mark in the West Coast Conference. Their NCAA tournament chances heavily depend on their performance in the upcoming WCC tournament quarterfinals on Sunday.
As the tournament approaches, the landscape continues to shift, leaving fans eager to see which teams make the final cut.
