BYU Basketball Drops One Seed in Latest Projection from Joe Lunardi

On Tuesday, ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi updated his March Madness projections for the field of 68. BYU, who is coming off consecutive wins over Texas

On Tuesday, ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi updated his March Madness projections for the field of 68. BYU, who is coming off consecutive wins over Texas and West Virginia, dropped one seed from no. 5 to no. 6. In Lunardi's projection, BYU would play winner of the play-in game featuring Butler and Florida. The winner of BYU-Butler/Florida would move on to play the winner of Illinois-High Point in the second round.

In Lunardi's projections, nine Big 12 teams are in the field of 68.

Every game remaining is a critical opportunity for BYU. With a few more Q1 wins, BYU could improve its seed in the NCAA tournament. If BYU drops a few games, especially a few Q3 games, BYU could find themselves in the 7-10 game or the 8-9 game.

BYU in the Polls

On Monday, the new AP poll for college basketball was released and BYU improved one spot from no. 22 to no. 21 after last week's win over West Virginia. After enjoying a midweek bye last week, the Cougars will play two games this week against Oklahoma and Kansas State. This is the eleventh consecutive week that BYU basketball has been ranked in the top 25.

No conference in college basketball has more ranked teams than the Big 12. BYU is one of six Big 12 teams in the AP top 25. They are joined by Kansas (4), Houston (5), Baylor (13), Iowa State (14), Texas Tech (23).

It's worth noting that Oklahoma dropped out of the rankings on Monday. The Sooners, who had been ranked for consecutive weeks, dropped out of the top 25 after losing to UCF. The Cougars take on the Sooners on Tuesday evening in Norman.

It's also worth noting that San Diego State is back in the top 25. BYU beat the Aztecs earlier this year. BYU now has two wins over top 25 teams: Iowa State (14) and San Diego State (24).

Below is the full AP top 25.

1. UConn
2. Purdue
3. North Carolina
4. Kansas
5. Houston
6. Tennessee
7. Marquette
8. Arizona
9. Duke
10. Illinois
11. Wisconsin
12. Auburn
13. Baylor
14. Iowa State
15. South Carolina
16. Alabama
17. Kentucky
18. Dayton
19. Creighton
20. FAU
21. BYU
22. Utah State
23. Texas Tech
24. San Diego State
25. New Mexico

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