Where is Penn State in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology?
As we head into the final days of 2022, things are beginning to trend in the right direction for Penn State’s tournament hopes. After three straight wins, highlighted by a road win at Illinois, and with a favorable matchup coming up on Thursday at home in the Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State looks to be heading into the start of 2023 riding some good momentum. And as of the Tuesday after Christmas, things are looking good enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in March according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.
Lunardi gave his weekly update on his bracket outlook for this year’s basketball tournament and he currently has Penn State sitting on the inside of the bubble. Lunardi listed Penn State among the last four teams getting a bye and not having to participate in one of the opening-round games. Penn State has been floating all over the bubble status for the past few weeks but has worked its way in with its recent wins.
The last four teams Lunardi sees getting a bye are Penn State, Oklahoma, Creighton, and Arizona State, although he lists Penn State last out of those four to potentially suggest Penn State is close to having to play in an opening-round game.
Lunardi’s last four teams in at the moment include Texas Tech, Utah State, and a pair of Big Ten teams with Rutgers and Iowa making it just in. Northwestern is among the first four out for Lunardi, along with NC State, Oklahoma State, and Utah. Lunardi has 10 teams from the Big Ten in his bracket, the most of any conference in the country.
In Lunardi’s updated bracket, Penn State would be the no. 11 seed in the Midwest region and face Memphis in the first round of the tournament in Columbus, Ohio. If Penn State managed to get by Memphis, a matchup with Gonzaga would likely be next on the schedule for Penn State.
Penn State will host Delaware State on Thursday, December 29 for its final non-conference game of the season. Penn State will host Iowa on January 1, 2023 and play in the Big Ten for the remainder of the season.
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