Kentucky basketball getting love in way-too-early bracketology

Apparently, Joe Lunardi never sleeps, because he released a May bracketology on Tuesday. He’s not sleeping on Kentucky basketball either.

You can count on three things in life. Death, taxes, and Joe Lunardi releasing bracketologies at all times of the year. The latest from the ESPN hoop-head came out on May 2, and Kentucky basketball was trending up.

Lunardi listed the Wildcats as a 5-seed in the Midwest region playing 12-seed VCU. While this is pure speculation at best, there is still some reason to be excited about the future. Kentucky was a 6-seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, so if they can at least live up to Lunardi’s standards, there will be more to like about next season.

It’s also interesting to see who Lunardi placed in the region with the Wildcats. The 4 vs. 13 seed matchup is projected as North Carolina against Indiana State. If chalk prevails, it would be a UK vs. UNC round of 32 matchup. He also has the game happening in the subregional at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Way to get us all excited 10 months out, Joe!

Kentucky basketball can get a 1-seed

To be fair, we’re still six months out from the season actually starting. You can make this same statement about 30 other teams. Parity is here to stay in college basketball.

However, the Wildcats have the pieces in place. The number one-ranked recruiting class could pair up with Oscar Tshiebwe if he decides to return.

The biggest thing for Kentucky is landing a few more quality transfers to the mix. CJ Frederick, Daimion Collins, Lance Ware, and Sahvir Wheeler all hit the transfer portal, leaving the Cats without some serious talent from last year. Ugonna Onyenso decided to return, and Antonio Reeves is still up in the air. That could help settle some things.

As long as John Calipari is able to bring in another experienced guard and get Tshiebwe back to Lexington, a 1-seed is the ceiling for the Wildcats next March.