We’re now a week into the 2025-26 college basketball season and a number of programs have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. That’s especially true when it comes to Bracketology, with several teams having gained a number of Quad 1 wins to this point.
This latest projected Field of 68 Bracketology takes into account the teams on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, with a few notable teams currently sliding down. Here’s a look at which teams are projected to be in the field.
East Region
- 1. Duke
- 16. UT-Martin
- 8. Georgia
- 9. UCLA
- 5. St. John’s
- 12. UC San Diego
- 4. Vanderbilt
- 13. Utah Valley
- 6. Florida
- 11. Ohio State/Villanova
- 3. Houston
- 14. Oakland
- 7. Saint Mary’s
- 10. Oklahoma
- 2. Michigan State
- 15. Quinnipiac
The idea of the reigning national champions being a 6-seed is surprising but Florida’s inability to win marquee games in the first month of the year has put them there. The big surprise is Vandy, who is a protected seed with wins over Saint Mary’s, SMU, and a road win over UCF which looks better than expected.
South Region
- 1. Purdue
- 16. Central Connecticut/Norfolk State
- 8. Oklahoma State
- 9. Clemson
- 5. Auburn
- 12. Tulsa
- 4. Kansas
- 13. UNC Wilmington
- 6. Kentucky
- 11. Utah State
- 3. BYU
- 14. Idaho State
- 7. Nebraska
- 10. UCF
- 2. Louisville
- 15. Colgate
Even after the home loss to Iowa State, Purdue remains a 1 seed, with the surging Louisville Cardinals the next top seed in this region. Kentucky is down to a 6 thanks to zero bad losses, but with zero good wins, they are in danger of falling towards the bubble if they can’t beat either Indiana or St. John’s in the next couple of weeks. The big winner of the group in this past week is Kansas, which not only defeated Missouri in the annual rivalry matchup but also got star freshman Darryn Peterson back after missing an entire month with a hamstring injury.
Midwest Region
- 1. Michigan
- 16. Alabama A&M/Vermont
- 8. Seton Hall
- 9. Virginia
- 5. Tennessee
- 12. Belmont
- 4. North Carolina
- 13. Sam Houston State
- 6. Baylor
- 11. Yale
- 3. UConn
- 14. High Point
- 7. Iowa
- 10. Miami
- 2. Iowa State
- 15. East Tennessee State
There might not be a better signature win for one’s resume this season than Iowa State winning at Purdue, which has vaulted them up to a 2-seed. A pleasant surprise of this group is Seton Hall, which won at Kansas State and has one of the better overall resumes in the entire Big East right now.
West Region
- 1. Arizona
- 16. North Dakota State
- 8. Indiana
- 9. SMU
- 5. Arkansas
- 12. Akron
- 4. Illinois
- 13. McNeese State
- 6. Texas Tech
- 11. Saint Louis
- 3. Alabama
- 14. South Alabama
- 7. USC
- 10. TCU/Wisconsin
- 2. Gonzaga
- 15. Lipscomb
Arizona and Gonzaga are the clear top teams from the West Coast, which could cement their spots in this Region. Despite blowing a double-digit lead to Washington, USC’s overall resume remains strong enough to safely be in the field. Indiana, however, is trending down, thanks to a rough road loss at Minnesota and falling to Louisville this past weekend.
Last 4 Byes
- SMU
- Miami
- Oklahoma
- UCF
Last 4 In
- Villanova
- Ohio State
- TCU
- Wisconsin
TCU’s resume currently includes a Quad 4 loss to New Orleans and a Quad 1 signature win over Florida, which explains why they’re at the cutline. SMU’s overtime win over Texas A&M has proved vital for them, while Ohio State may regret losing at Pittsburgh two weeks ago, a loss which is starting to look bad after the Panthers lost another buy game opponent.
First 4 Out
- NC State
- Cal
- Butler
- Missouri
Next 4 Out
- Syracuse
- LSU
- Georgetown
- Wake Forest
Compared to last year, the ACC has certainly improved overall. But there’s still plenty of work for several teams on the cutline, including NC State, whose defense has been an issue. Missouri missed an opportunity against rival Kansas last weekend, and its poor non-con strength of schedule could be a problem in the SEC, as it can’t lift all its teams as it did a year ago. The same goes for LSU, which lost its first tough game of the year against Texas Tech.