The latest edition of ESPN's bracketology saw some significant changes — particularly at the top of the NCAA Tournament predictions — as college basketball guru Joe Lunardi offers his August predictions for March Madness in 2027.
The Florida Gators, who had held the top overall seed this summer, were dethroned by Duke in the August update but still remain a No. 1 seed, now atop the South Region. They find themselves matched up with either No. 16-seeded American or Howard in the first round held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Todd Golden and the Gators tip off the 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2, against the Miami Hurricanes in the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Top seeds in ESPN's 2027 bracketology
Duke overtook Florida for the top overall seed in the latest edition of the bracketology and is now also the top seed in the East, while the Gators moved over to the No. 1 seed in the South. Meanwhile, Arizona bumped defending national champion Michigan from the No. 1 seed and now headlines the West, while Illinois remains atop the Midwest.
SEC schools in ESPN's 2027 bracketology
The Southeastern Conference remains tied with the Big Ten for the most representatives in the bracketology with 12, while the Big 12 and the Atlantic Coast Conference still have 10 and seven, respectively, to round out the Power Four. Meanwhile, the Big East remains even with the ACC at seven and the Atlantic 10 has two to round out the conferences with more than one school included.
Florida still headlines the SEC with the top seed in the South, while the Texas Longhorns now hold the No. 2 seed in the West. Following them are Alabama and Arkansas, who slipped to No. 4 seeds in the Midwest and East, respectively, and Tennessee, who moved up to a No. 4 seed in the South.
Next up are Kentucky (No. 5, East), Vanderbilt (No. 5, West), Georgia (No. 8, West), Missouri (No. 9, Midwest), Auburn (No. 9, South), Texas A&M (No. 10, Midwest) and Oklahoma (No. 12, East). Texas A&M remains in the last four byes category and Mississippi State sits among the next four out.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida falls from top overall seed in ESPN's latest bracketology