Bracketology: Kentucky basketball’s easiest path to the Final Four
By Drew Koch
The Kentucky basketball team is still sitting as a No. 5 seed in ESPN’s latest NCAA Tournament projections. How can the Wildcats improve their path the school’s 18th Final Four appearance?
A week after rallying to beat West Virginia on the road and overcoming a double-digit second half deficit against Vanderbilt, there still seems to be some questions about the Kentucky basketball team. ESPN’s Bracketology once again has the Wildcats as No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. How can the Cats improve their standing and give themselves a favorable path to the Final Four?
Okay Big Blue Nation, we all know the NCAA Selection Committee will find some way to give the Wildcats the most unfavorable path to their 18th Final Four. We all know that some how the committee will find a way to match up the Cats against Louisville, Duke and Michigan State. That being said, what can this year’s Kentucky basketball team do in the remainder of the season to improve their standing with the committee and make their path to San Antonio easier?
I know, the obvious answer is to win the remainder of their games. As amazing as winning their final 9 SEC games would be, I don’t think it’s in the cards for this year’s Kentucky basketball team. The remaining stretch of games includes road games at Auburn and Florida and a rematch against Tennessee. The Volunteers and Gators already hold wins over the Cats this season. If the Wildcats can avenge those losses from earlier in the season, that’s a good start.
Kentucky must avoid a bad loss. Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Florida are all on the Cats schedule in the coming weeks. All are currently, with the exception of the Aggies, safely in the field of 68. The Cats cannot stumble against the likes of Missouri (who they play twice) or Ole Miss.
Winning their remaining 4 home games is a must for the Cats. Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and Ole Miss are all slated to visit Lexington this month. For this Kentucky basketball team to have any shot at improving their standing with the committee, the Wildcats must take care of business in Rupp Arena.