Ride along as ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi returns to the “Bracket Bunker”

Saturday, Feb. 27, Morning ET: Lunardi begins his journey to Selection Sunday from Middletown, Pa., where he boards an Amtrak train on his way to Bristol. Lunardi reviews an onslaught of data and numbers for his bracket updates. Who's in? Who's on the bubble? Who's out? These are among the most commonly asked questions in early March as speculation builds about the field for one of the most exciting events in sports â€“ the NCAA Division I Menâ€™s College Basketball Tournament. ESPNâ€™s resident men's basketball Bracketologist, Joe Lunardi, will once again share his tournament field projections live from the â€œBracket Bunker." Lunardi's takes on how the 68-team field is shaping will be integrated throughout ESPN's college basketball coverage tonight and in the days leading up to Selection Sunday, March 13. In the photo gallery above, Front Row provides a peek into the life of the man behind Bracketology. 3:45 p.m.: Lunardi receives a touch-up before his first live hit of the day. 4:00 p.m.: The Bracketologist chats with Chris Cotter and Andy Katz in the College Basketball Live studio. 4:25 p.m.: Lunardi makes his first appearance of the day during the Purdue-Maryland game on ESPN. In between interviews, he updates his projections from the Bunker. 5:15 p.m.: After Lunardi joins Todd Grisham and Tim McCormick on ESPNâ€™s Buzzer Beater set to offer his analysis on teams from across the country, he continues to update his brackets and post his real-time projections via Twitter. 10:30 p.m.: Lunardi makes his last appearance during the New Mexico-Fresno State matchup. 11:15 p.m.: After a quick meeting with ESPN producers, Lunardi is done for the day but is already preparing for an action-packed Sunday. â€œNone of this is lost on me and Iâ€™ll never take it for granted,â€ Lunardi says. â€œThe college basketball fan base never ceases to amaze me, and every time I think Bracketology has peaked, it gets even more popular. Thereâ€™s really nothing like it in sports because everyone enjoys filling out a bracket sheet. I feel very fortunate to be along for the ride.â€

3:45 p.m.: Lunardi receives a touch-up before his first live hit of the day.

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