Biggest takeaways from ESPN's 2024 NCAA Tournament bracketology

ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi released his latest bracketology on Tuesday. While there are still three months until the NCAA Tournament kicks off, it is never too early to begin looking at the field of 68. 

Here are the biggest takeaways from Lunardi's latest attempt at predicting which teams will feature in March Madness: 

Big 12 and SEC lead the way with nine teams in

Over a quarter of the teams that Lunardi projects to make the big dance come from just two conferences, the Big 12 and the SEC. 

In the Big 12, Kansas, Houston, and Baylor, all who were projected to finish at or near the top of the conference, are living up to preseason expectations with only one loss between the three of them so far. 

However, the biggest story in the Big 12 has been Oklahoma and BYU, who are both projected as "four" seeds by Lunardi. In the Big 12 preseason poll, BYU was picked 13th and Oklahoma was picked 12th. They've both defied expectations and if they continue to surprise in conference play, the Big 12 will continue to be one of the deepest in the sport and will be very well represented in March.

While the SEC may not be as top-heavy as the Big 12, with Tennessee being the highest seeded so far at No. 3, the conference is largely doing what it's supposed to. The top eight teams in the SEC preseason poll are all projected in the field. The biggest surprise here is the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, who right now have a 10 seed. They were projected dead last in the conference, but have had a scorching-hot start to begin the year and look like they could be a real factor in postseason play. 

Pac-12 struggles, only four teams in

The downfall of the Pac-12 conference has been well-documented and it's looking like their men's basketball programs will help usher in an unceremonious end with some truly disappointing play to begin the season. While Arizona is the top overall seed and is looking like a true contender, the field beyond the Wildcats is very disappointing. 

One of the biggest reasons why: USC. 

USC was looking like they'd be one of the top teams in the country, led by their backcourt of projected high-lottery pick freshman Isaiah Collier and the experienced fifth-year Boogie Ellis. However, they've disappointed so far this season, most recently losing a buy-game to Long Beach State in freshman Bronny James' long-anticipated season debut. That loss likely is the reason they're currently in Lunardi's "Next Four Out' category. 

Lack of mid-majors

Last season's March Madness featured just five at-large mid-major teams. This season, Lunardi is projecting only three so far: Memphis at 6, San Diego State at 7, and New Mexico at 11 and in the play-in game. 

There are paths to more at-large mid-major bids. Looking at the teams that aren't currently slotted in for automatic bids, Saint Joseph's and Duquesne are both in consideration from the Atlantic 10 after great starts to the season. 

The Mountain West could add a few more teams to the mix after San Diego State and New Mexico, with Nevada in Lunardi's "First Four Out" and Utah State close behind at 9-1. Tulane and Wichita State will have the chance to get some signature wins in conference play against FAU and Memphis in the AAC. In the WCC, Santa Clara and San Francisco both are 7-3 and should be able to play themselves into the at-large conversation.

A return to March for the Sycamores?

One of the best stories of the year so far has been the resurgence of Indiana State. A historic program most known for NBA legend Larry Bird leading them to the National Championship game after an undefeated season to that point in 1979, Indiana State has struggled in recent years. They last made the NCAA Tournament in 2011, but this year could be the year the Sycamores return to March. 

Currently in Lunardi's "First Four Out," the Sycamores are 9-1. They'll likely be battling with Drake for the conference title, but are squarely in position to be able to play themselves in the at-large conversation.