Most difficult path to a National Title for the Kentucky basketball team
By Drew Koch
What’s the most difficult path for the Kentucky basketball team to a National Championship?
Most experts, pundits and even Kentucky basketball fans will tell you that the Wildcats had a pretty easy run through the NCAA Tournament thus far. UK opened the tournament against the No. 12 seed in the South, Davidson, and then because of the unforeseen collapse by the Arizona Wildcats, the Cats got the 13-seed Buffalo in Round 2. Let’s take a look at UK’s most difficult path to attaining their 9th National Championship.
Nevada Wolf Pack (No. 7 South) – Elite Eight
We already know the Wildcats have to play Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen. With that match up set, let’s assume the Wildcats take care of business and advance to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. There’s only two possible opponents for the Kentucky basketball team in the South Regional Final, and I believe Nevada is the more difficult match up.
In his third season, Eric Musselman has the Wolf Pack firing on all cylinders. Nevada had only 3 losses in the Mountain West Conference, and won the MWC regular season. The Wolf Pack, however, lost in the MWC Tournament to San Diego State.
Caleb and Cody Martin, the brothers from Mocksville, North Carolina, lead a talented group of Nevada upperclassmen. The Wolf Pack have 4 starters that average double-figures, and all of them are capable of knocking down three-point shots. Kendall Stephens, the transfer from Purdue, takes almost 8 three-pointers a game.
Nevada is similar to Kentucky in many respects. While they may not have the same type of top-level talent the Wildcats do, they do have a ton of experience. A veteran group, with nothing to lose, could pose problems for the Cats in Atlanta.
Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7 West) – Final Four
Now, before everyone totally loses their mind as to why I believe the Aggies are the most difficult match up for the Wildcats in the Final Four, take a deep breath and hear me out. I know Michigan has won 11 straight, but the Wolverines squeaked by Houston this past weekend to advance. Meanwhile, Texas A&M absolutely obliterated last year’s National Champion, the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Michigan is a very good team, and would be a difficult match up for UK. That being said, Texas A&M is a conference foe that knows the Kentucky Wildcats all too well. Billy Kennedy’s group took some lumps early, but the Aggies, similar to the Wildcats, were projected to compete for the SEC crown. Tyler Davis was the only player on the Aggies’ roster who played in every game this season.
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And let’s face it Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball team should’ve lost to the Aggies earlier this season. Wenyen Gabriel got the benefit of a no-call at the end of the game, and the Wildcats escaped with 74-73 victory.
The Aggies present a match up nightmare for Kentucky. Robert Williams and Davis have the size to bang down low, and Admon Gilder is knocking down 40% of his three-pointers. Texas A&M is a dangerous team, and one I don’t want to see the Kentucky basketball team face in the tournament.
Villanova Wildcats (No. 1 East) – National Championship
As much as I wanted to put Duke here, and I did BBN, Villanova is the best team remaining in the tournament, and the most difficult match up for the Kentucky Wildcats. I tried to put Duke here. I wanted to put Duke here. But, the truth is, I think Kentucky could handle Duke. I’m not so sure UK can knock off Nova.
The Villanova Wildcats are the most complete team, top to bottom, in the NCAA Tournament. Most experts picked Nova to cut down the nets in San Antonio, and for good reason. Jay Wright’s Wildcats lost only 4 times this season. Throw out the ridiculous loss to St. Johns, and all of Nova’s losses were to tournament teams.
The junior pair of Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges are dynamic playmakers, and Villanova has 6, yes 6, players who average double-figures in scoring. Even Duke can’t boast a roster that balanced.
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If Jay Wright and Villanova make it to the National Championship game, they will have run through a gauntlet of opponents, including the likes of West Virginia, either Texas Tech or Purdue, and most likely either Duke or Kansas. Kentucky will not have near the level of competition coming out of the other side of the bracket.
A veteran, battle-tested Villanova team would be a tough challenge for John Calipari and his young Wildcats. However, if you win this tournament, it’s never easy. Sometimes the road less traveled is the one that makes all the difference.