Kentucky basketball fans have been watching closely as the Wildcats navigate another competitive season under head coach Mark Pope. With midseason in full swing, let’s dive into where Kentucky and their SEC rivals stack up in the AP Poll, KenPom, NET rankings, and Bart Torvik's metrics.
AP Poll Top 25
1 Auburn
2 Duke
3 Iowa St
4 Alabama
5 Florida
6 Tennessee
7 Houston
8 Michigan State
9 Kentucky
10 Marquette
11 Purdue
12 Kansas
13 Texas A&M
14 Mississippi State
15 Oregon
16 Ole Miss
17 Illinois
18 Wisconsin
19 UCONN
20 St. Johns
21 Michigan
22 Missouri
23 West Virginia
24 Memphis
25 Louisville
Kentucky sits at #9, a solid spot for a team with a few early stumbles but clear upward momentum. The SEC remains dominant, boasting nine teams in the AP Top 25.
KenPom Rankings (Adjusted Efficiency)
KenPom’s efficiency-based system ranks Kentucky at 15th overall, with standout marks in offensive efficiency (AdjO: 127.4, ranked 2nd) but lagging on defense (AdjD: 101.9, ranked 93rd). Kentucky’s offensive firepower has been a key weapon, but defensive adjustments will be crucial for postseason success.
Top 5 KenPom Teams:
1 Duke
2 Auburn
3 Houston
4 Iowa State
5 Florida
20 Kentucky
Bart Torvik Top 5
Bart Torvik’s metrics paint a similar picture, placing Kentucky at 15th overall. What stands out is Kentucky’s impressive offensive efficiency, ranking 2nd behind only Auburn. However, their adjusted defensive efficiency (93rd) is holding them back.
Top 5 Bart Torvik Teams:
1 Houston
2 Auburn
3 Duke
4 Illinois
5 Florida
15 Kentucky
NET Rankings
The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) has Kentucky at 14th, aligning closely with the other metrics. This ranking is critical for seeding in the NCAA Tournament and highlights Kentucky’s Quadrant 1 wins and overall strength of schedule.
What’s Next for Kentucky?
The Wildcats have proven they can compete with the best in the nation, but the SEC grind is far from over. Upcoming matchups against all are Quad 1 beginning with Vandy who just knocked off the Vols.
Do you think Kentucky can break into the top 5 in the next few weeks? Share your predictions!