One Final Look at Louisville's NCAA Tournament Projections

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - At long last, we have finally reached Selection Sunday. Following weeks and months of projections as to who will make the NCAA Tournament, the time-honored tradition of filling out brackets for March Madness officially gets underway tonight.

While this season has been a slight disappointment when compared to preseason expectations, the Louisville men's basketball program still has a chance to earn their first tournament win since 2017, as they're a stone cold lock to make the Big Dance. According to BracketMatrix, a website that averages out several dozen NCAA Tournament projections among major "bracketologists," the Cardinals average out to a six seed in their most recent update (Mar. 14).

So where do some of these projections have Louisville going for the Big Dance? Below is a sampling from some of the more noteworthy NCAA Tournament projectors.

Selection Sunday is set for Sunday, Mar. 15, with the First Four set for Mar. 17-18. The first and second rounds are scheduled for Mar. 19-22, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight slated for Mar. 26-29. The Final Four from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will take place on Apr. 4, with the national championship set for Apr. 6.

Sports Illustrated

Projector: Kevin Sweeney
Seed/Region: No. 6 in West
First Round Matchup: No. 11 VCU/Texas
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 14 Idaho
Region's Top Four Seeds: Arizona, Michigan State, Alabama, Virginia

ESPN

Projector: Joe Lunardi
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 VCU/Missouri
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Wright State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Iowa State, Illinois, Vanderbilt

CBS

Projector: David Cobb
Seed/Region: No. 6 in Midwest
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Missouri/VCU
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Michigan, UConn, Iowa State, Alabama

The Athletic

Projector: Joe Rexrode
Seed/Region: No. 6 in Midwest
First Round Matchup: No. 11 South Florida
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 14 Troy
Region's Top Four Seeds: Michigan, Houston, Purdue, Virginia

USA Today

Projector: Erick Smith
Seed/Region: No. 6 in West
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Texas
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Arizona, Illinois, Gonzaga, Virginia

Fox Sports

Projector: Mike DeCourcy
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 VCU/Missouri
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Nebraska vs. No. 14 Wright State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, UConn, Nebraska, Kansas

SBNation

Projector: Chris Dobbertean
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Missouri/VCU
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 Idaho
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Iowa State, Michigan State, Alabama

BracketVille

Projector: Dave Ommen
Seed/Region: No. 6 in Midwest
First Round Matchup: No. 11 South Florida
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Nebraska vs. No. 14 Tennessee State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Michigan, Iowa State, Nebraska, Virginia

Projector: Tim Krueger
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Santa Clara
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Nebraska vs. No. 14 Tennessee State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Houston, Nebraska, Alabama

On3

Projector: James Fletcher III
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 VCU/Texas
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Iowa State, Michigan State, St. John's

The Field of 68

Projector: Staff Pick
Seed/Region: No. 6 in East
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Miami of Ohio/VCU
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Iowa State, Illinois, Vanderbilt

Palm Brackets

Projector: Jerry Palm
Seed/Region: No. 6 in Midwest
First Round Matchup: No. 11 South Florida
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 14 Troy
Region's Top Four Seeds: Michigan, Iowa State, Purdue, Alabama

NCAA

Projector: Andy Katz
Seed/Region: No. 6 in South
First Round Matchup: No. 11 Missouri
Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Nebraska vs. No. 14 UC Irvine
Region's Top Four Seeds: Florida, Houston, Nebraska, Virginia