Bracketology: Preseason 1-68 seed list for projected NCAA Tournament bracket

The games start Friday, so it's time for a last preseason projection of the NCAA Tournament bracket.

The No. 1 seeds are the same as our way-too-early update -- Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Villanova are all on the top line.

And for this bracket update, here's a look at the entire 1-68 seed list of teams who are projected to make the 2017 tournament field.

1. Duke Blue Devils

This is one of Mike Krzyzewski's most talented teams yet, and that's saying something.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

It's a rare season without the top-rated recruiting class for Coach Cal, but only because of Duke. The formula is the same as always -- talented freshmen and a mix of vets.

3. Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks might have the best freshman of the bunch in forward Josh Jackson. He'll join returning stars Devonte Graham and Frank Mason.

4. Villanova Wildcats

The defending champs return Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins and should make taking the title from them very difficult.

5. North Carolina Tar Heels

Brice Johnson is gone, but there is still a lot of talent at UNC. Don't be surprised if the Heels make another Final Four push.

6. Oregon Ducks

Dillon Brooks leads an experienced team that was a No. 1 seed last season and could be again in 2016-17.

7. Virginia Cavaliers

Austin Nichols, the transfer from Memphis, will be a key addition this season, assuming he doesn't find himself in hot water again.

8. Wisconsin Badgers

All the Badgers do is win. This season, they'll do it with All-American candidate Nigel Hayes leading the way.

9. Indiana Hoosiers

Thomas Bryant stayed in school and James Blackmon returns from injury to lead what should be a strong season for the Hoosiers.

10. Louisville Cardinals

The Cardinals' biggest issues will be off the court. If Pitino can keep the distractions at bay and the NCAA doesn't come down on Louisville during the season, this should be another great year.

11. Purdue Boilermakers

Caleb Swanigan, Vince Edwards and Isaac Haas make for a stellar front court. Now, if the Boilers can just take care of the basketball.

12. Arizona Wildcats

The loss of Ray Smith to yet another injury has the Wildcats a little down on this list, but Sean Miller still has plenty to work with.

13. Michigan State Spartans

With Gavin Schilling out, Tom Izzo will be relying on a strong freshman class led by Miles Bridges a lot more than he would prefer.

14. Xavier Musketeers

With Myles Davis' status in doubt, the Musketeers have been knocked down a notch.

15. UCLA Bruins

Lonzo Ball should be the engine that drives the Bruins back into the tournament.

16. St. Mary's Gaels

The Gaels were good last season and every starter returns. This could be the year they derail Gonzaga.

17. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Although, that derailing won't come easily. Prezemek Karnowski returns from injury and Nigel Williams-Goss is eligible after transferring in.

18. Rhode Island Rams

Most people thought 2016-17 would be the Rams' year, but injury put things off a season. EC Mathews and Hassan Martin should be ready to go.

19. West Virginia Moutaineers

The team nobody loves to play. The Mountaineers will grind their way into a good seed behind Jevon Carter.

20. UConn Huskies

The Huskies are the American Conference favorite and should get a few good tests in nonconference play.

21. California Golden Bears

Ivan Rabb turned down a big payday to return to Cal. He and Jabari Bird should challenge in the Pac-12

22. Creighton Bluejays

The Bluejays are back in the hunt for a spot in the tournament and a decent seed thanks to a great back court.

23. Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles have a chance to crack the top 25 behind Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Dwayne Bacon -- because everything is better with bacon.

24. Cincinnati Bearcats

If UConn falters, the Bearcats will be there to steal the American Conference title.

25. Iowa State Cyclones

Monte Morris is one of the best point guards in the country.

26. Butler Bulldogs

The Bulldogs will need a big year from Tyler Wideman if they are to reach these heights.

27. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes will still be talented, but younger, thus an expected step back this season.

28. Syracuse Orange

Tyler Lydon returns and is joined by Nebraska transfer Andrew White in an effort to repeat last season's improbable Final Four run

29. Dayton Flyers

Scoochie Smith is not just a good player, but has a fun name to say. Archie Miller always has his guys ready to compete.

30. Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies had a great run to an SEC co-championship last season, but that will be difficult to duplicate this season with a lot of new faces.

31. Texas Longhorns

Shaka Smart has a young but talented group that may be a year away from doing serious damage in the Big 12

32. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines struggled without Caris LeVert in the lineup last season as he dealt with injury. He's gone for good now, but most of the rest of the team returns.

33. San Diego State

The defensive-minded Aztecs are the favorite, and likely the only participant from the Mountain West this season.

34. Maryland Terrapins

Melo Trimble is back, but looking for some familiar faces and not finding many. Is he capable of carrying such a heavy load?

35. Virginia Tech Hokies

Buzz Williams' team caused some fits last season and is ready to take another step forward this season.

36. Wichita State Shockers

No more Ron Baker or Fred Van Vleet, but the Shockers should still be the class of the Missouri Valley.

37. Oklahoma Sooners

Buddy Hield is gone, but the cupboard isn't totally bare. Jordan Woodard and Khadeem Lattin are still around and few coaches are better than Lon Kruger.

38. VCU Rams

If JeQuan Lewis takes another step forward this season, he and Mo-Alie Cox could be the 1-2 punch to push Rhode Island and Dayton in the A-10.

39. Valparaiso Crusaders

Bryce Drew is gone to Vanderbilt and former assistant and Stanford star Matt Lottich takes his place. Most important though, Alec Peters is back.

40. Monmouth Hawks

Known for their bench mob and getting unjustly snubbed by the committee last season. Look for the Hawks to take it out of the committee's hands this season.

41. Seton Hall Pirates

No more Isaiah Whitehead to lean on, but the Pirates should still have enough to be a bubble team.

42. Baylor Bears

Baylor lost Rico Gathers and Taurean Prince from last season and those guys will be hard to replace.

43. SMU Mustangs

Larry Brown built things up to the point that SMU got the NCAA hammer. Now former Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich is in charge.

44. Vanderbilt Commodores

Bryce Drew takes over from Kevin Stallings and has some talent to work with.

45. Southern California Trojans

The Trojans lost their two best players, so they will be fighting harder to find a spot in the field.

46. Florida Gators

Mike White looks to build off an NIT campaign in his second season at the helm in Gainesville.

47. NC State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack will have a dynamic talent in Dennis Smith Jr. The question is how much help will he get.

48. Colorado Buffaloes

The Buffaloes should battle for the middle of the Pac-12, and that might be just good enough.

49. Washington Huskies

Everything I said about NC State and Dennis Smith goes the same for the Huskies and Markelle Fultz.

50. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

When we last saw the Blue Radiers, they were shocking the world by beating Michigan State. They should be a higher seed this March.

51. Princeton Tigers

For the longest time, Penn and Princeton ruled the Ivy. The Tigers are back to claim the top, but this season they'll have to win a tournament to get here.