The Kentucky basketball team will soon begin their journey for a 9th National Championship in school history this week. After winning the SEC Tournament, with Jarred Vanderbilt on the bench injured, the Wildcats are firing on all cylinders. Kentucky will be a tough team to eliminate in the NCAA Tournament, especially in the South region, and here’s why:
The most important intangible for all teams entering the NCAA Tournament is momentum. The Kentucky basketball team is playing with confidence and with great momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats winning the SEC Tournament Championship proved that they are capable of making a run in the NCAA Tournament. In a matter of three days, Kentucky defeated two NCAA Tournament teams, including 3-seed Tennessee. Kentucky’s momentum and confidence are major ingredients for success in the NCAA Tournament.
Potential opponents
Kentucky’s length and athleticism at all 5 positions is going to be an incredible challenge for all teams in the South region. Davidson, UK’s first opponent, has not seen the length, athleticism, and speed of the Kentucky Wildcats. Whether Arizona or Buffalo become UK’s 2nd opponent, both will struggle with the size and athleticism of Kentucky.
The #1 overall seed, Virginia, is a solid and consistent team. But Virginia likes to play slow, patient and tempo-controlled basketball. Virginia has 2 losses on the season, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. These 2 opponents play with speed and defensive pressure, which UK does as well.
Most likely to come out of the bottom of the bracket is the No. 2 seed Cincinnati and the No. 3 seed Tennessee. The Wildcats have already proven they can defeat Tennessee, and UK would most likely have Jarred Vanderbilt back for this potential match up.
Cincinnati is a team playing with momentum and confidence, but coach Mick Cronin provided “bulletin board material” for the Kentucky basketball players from his comments two weeks ago. The Bearcats have losses to Florida, Wichita St, Houston and Xavier. Kentucky has proven they can play with Florida, and Wichita St, Houston, and Xavier do not have the size, length, and team athleticism that the Cats have.
When it comes to a potential match up between UK and 2-seed Cincinnati, I love the chances for the Kentucky basketball team. Calipari had UK playing a phenomenal schedule this year. First off, the SEC was much improved from years past. But more importantly, the Cats had to play really difficult road games at places such as Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
In non-conference, strategic road/neutral games against Kansas, UCLA, Louisville and West Virginia will help this UK team to be prepared for the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky’s schedule is an advantage over Cincinnati, who plays in a much weaker conference and the Bearcats’ non-conference was pretty weak. Cincinnati is 2-3 against Top 25 teams and have a strength of schedule of 58.
Kentucky’s talent
Kentucky’s depth is a very good reason for why they are likely to come out of the South region. The Cats will most certainly play 9 players per game, but 10 players per game if Vanderbilt is healthy. Coach Calipari can keep his post players fresh by using Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Wenyen Gabriel, and PJ Washington. Cal can also keep his ball-handlers fresh, using Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Quade Green and even Hamidou Diallo to handle the ball.
It will be really difficult for opponents to stay as fresh on the wings as Kentucky. Calipari will rotate Knox, Diallo, Gabriel, Vanderbilt, Green, and Washington on the wings at the 2, 3, and 4 positions. While Arizona, Virginia, Tennessee, Cincinnati and Miami are all quality teams, UK’s depth in tournament play will prove to be the difference maker.
One of Kentucky’s biggest advantages over opponents is scoring versatility. On any given night, UK can have 4 or 5 different leading scorers. The Cats can be led by Knox, SGA, Washington, Green or Gabriel. This is important because teams will really struggle to slow UK’s scoring attack if they get points from 5 different players.
Kentucky can also score in a variety of ways, making them difficult to guard. Knox, Green, Gabriel, Diallo and Gilgeous-Alexander can all knock down three-point shots. The Cats have several players who can score off the dribble drive and rim attacks. And in the post, the Cats get scoring from Wasington, Knox, Killeya-Jones and possibly even Richards.
Offensive rebounding might be the one statistical category that sets this Kentucky basketball team apart from others in their region. Killeya-Jones, Washington, Dillao, Gabriel and Knox can all attack the offensive glass for scoring. The action starts Thursday night in Boise, and Kentucky has a great chance to advance to the Final Four in San Antonio.