Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Joe Lunardi across Basketball, Football.
The Volunteers welcome nine new transfer portal athletes, including high‑scoring guard Juke Harris and versatile forward Jalen Washington. Early predictions highlight Harris atop the scoring chart, while clutch guard Dai Dai Ames and breakout DeWayne Brown add depth. With strong defensive talent and a favorable early schedule, Tennessee is positioned for a deep SEC run.
Tennessee remains inside the top ten of ESPN’s early rankings, bolstered by a deep transfer class and a schedule that includes a preseason showdown with Duke and a key non‑conference test against Michigan State.
Tobi Lawal's draft journey, Virginia Tech's preseason forecasts, and former Hokie Nickel Alexander-Walker's NBA accolades illustrate a pivotal moment for the program.
Analyst Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket places Virginia as a No. 3 seed, pitting the team against St. Thomas (Minn.) and a possible showdown with Texas, while seven ACC schools earn tournament spots.
A No.5 seed in the Midwest Region sets up a possible Sweet 16 matchup with Duke, while the SEC’s twelve teams and geographic seeding rules shape the Wildcats’ path.
The Wildcats' disappointing campaign ended early, but a five‑seed ranking hints at cautious optimism for the upcoming season.
With a top‑10 ranking, a deep supporting cast and Coach Tom Izzo’s versatile system, Michigan State is shaping up as a serious threat for the national title.
Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology places the Oklahoma Sooners in the Opening Round of the NCAA tournament’s new play‑in format, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Coach Porter Moser and his team.
ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi’s early bracket forecast places the University of Connecticut as a No. 3 seed for the upcoming season, highlighting both the team’s recent dominance and the challenges that lie ahead.
ESPN's latest bracketology places the Florida Gators as the overall No. 1 seed, highlighting regional pairings and the broader landscape of college basketball.
A look at the Vols’ 2026‑27 roster, the national rankings they’ve earned, and what a 5‑seed could mean for their tournament path.
The Cyclones opened the 2025‑26 season with a perfect 16‑0 record and a No. 2 seed, but ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi now places them on the five‑seed line for 2026‑27. With key returners and added depth, the program seeks to translate early success into an even higher national standing.
A season‑ending Achilles injury to Boston College’s Kaelan Chudzinski could alter Syracuse’s bowl chances, while head coach Fran Brown prepares to address the ACC Kickoff and a new conference tiebreaker system.
Iowa will host Virginia Tech at the Tyson Events Center on Nov. 10, adding to a schedule that emphasizes in‑state games, marquee non‑conference opponents and preparation for the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
After a medical redshirt and a season lost to injury, Pharrel Payne is set to rejoin the Maryland Terrapins, bringing hope of an NCAA Tournament berth and a revitalized roster under Coach Buzz Williams.
Despite landing a three‑star cornerback, Alabama’s 2027 in‑state haul remains thin, while Georgia’s aerial attack falters and the Crimson Tide secure a No. 3 NCAA seed.
Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program entered the 2025‑26 season with a promising 11‑2 start in non‑conference play, only to see its momentum stall during ACC competition. Injuries and close defeats left the team outside the NCAA Tournament, a result that has become all too familiar for the Hokies in recent years. The NCAA announced an expansion to 76 teams beginning next March, a change that could open a new pathway for Virginia Tech. Early bracketology from CBS Sports placed the Hokies among the ‘Last Four In,’ while ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi kept them on the outside looking in, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their at‑large prospects. Roster movement has been a focal point of the offseason. Key contributors Amani Hansberry, Tyler Johnson and Ben Hammond are slated to return, providing continuity and experience. Freshmen Neoklis Avdalas and Christian Gurdak, however, have transferred out, prompting the coaching staff to integrate new talent while preserving the core that helped the team start strong. Beyond the court, Virginia Tech’s athletics department announced it would decline any invitation to the NIT, a decision that reflects a shift in strategic priorities. The administration, led by the university’s sports administration, is now focused on aligning resources with a realistic path to NCAA qualification. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful that the combination of a larger tournament bracket, a retooled roster and a clear coaching philosophy will translate into a postseason berth. If the Hokies can translate early-season promise into consistent ACC performance, a return to March Madness may finally materialize.
From open practices and international recruits to contract extensions and schedule releases, Indiana University’s athletic programs are gearing up for a promising year.
The Wisconsin Badgers are slated to enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed, joining 13 other Big Ten teams. With key departures and new additions, the team’s outlook hinges on depth and experience.
With a No. 3 seed projection, a revamped lineup and a challenging non‑conference slate, the Crimson Tide aim to build on recent Sweet 16 and Final Four successes.
After losing nine of their top players, the Cardinals have added a wave of transfers and freshmen, climbing to seventh in the nation on FanDuel's championship odds and earning a No. 2 seed projection from ESPN.
Projected to compete strongly in the SEC and earn a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, Arkansas looks to turn early optimism into March success.
With ESPN and other analysts ranking the Razorbacks among the nation's elite, the team's prospects hinge on frontcourt depth and a strong recruiting class.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi forecasts Indiana as a seventh seed in the expanded 2027 NCAA field, highlighting a revamped roster and renewed optimism.