Vicky Graff Photo
Just a few weeks ago there was hardly any hope for Kentucky clinching a double-bye in next week’s Southeastern Conference Tournament. In large part because doing so would require to the Wildcats to finish the regular season with a top-4 record in conference play and Kentucky was not playing very good basketball.
However, over the last two and a half weeks, Kentucky put together an incredible five-game winning streak to end the regular season and clinch the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament.
The final domino fell when No. 15 Kentucky pulled off a significant upset at No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday. John Calipari’s team won 85-81, scoring the most points Tennessee had allowed in a month. By doing so, the Wildcats also snapped Tennessee’s seven game winning streak.
Kentucky’s win allowed them to finish conference play with a 13-5 record, which placed them in a tie with Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina. Due to tiebreakers, Kentucky earned the top seed out of those teams and won’t have to play Tennessee again until the SEC title game – assuming both advance that far next week.
So, what’s at stake next week?
Kentucky’s win at Tennessee on Saturday should significantly improve their ranking in the Associated Press Top-25 poll. Assuming they move up a few spots, there’s still work to do for Kentucky to improve to a No. 3 or possibly even No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats have drawn the winner of Thursday’s game between Ole Miss and Texas A&M next week. Kentucky was a combined 1-1 against those two in the regular season, losing at A&M and taking care of business vs. Ole Miss.
UK’s game on Friday will be played on Friday at 6 PM CT in Bridgestone Arena.
Assuming they win, that would advance Kentucky to Saturday’s schedule.
On the bottom part of Kentucky’s side of the bracket, Florida will play the winner of Georgia and Missouri (Wednesday game) on Thursday. Then, the winner of Thursday’s game will advance to play Alabama on Friday.
The winner of Friday’s game would advance to play Kentucky on Saturday, which is scheduled for 3 PM CT.
Then, it’s just one game separating Kentucky from the SEC title game, which begins at Noon CT.
But both games on Friday and Saturday are another chance for Kentucky to improve their resume ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
The selection committee has been known to make their Selection Sunday decisions before the conclusion of the SEC title game, so Kentucky handling business on Friday and adding a quality win on Saturday is their best hope to improve their seeding for the Big Dance.
Kentucky is seeking their seventh title in the SEC Tournament under Calipari and their 32nd overall as a program.
Click here to visit the complete SEC Tournament Bracket.
9 Responses
Ironic to have a rematch of Texas A & M and Ole Miss so soon after their regular season ending matchup. Wonder how getting so badly beaten on their home court affects Old Miss psyche?
Karen, I think Ole Miss is done for this year; they may get an NIT bid. I am more concerned about the rematch we will have with A&M on Thursday. It will be a Rock’em/Sock’em affair.
Barry I don’t know what "we" you are referring too. I am sure you are terrified the Cats will beat A&M and make you miserable again. That’s exactly what is going to happen. RAH! RAH! RAH! Go Cal’s Cats!!!
The Cats roll into Knoxville on senior day, with the Vols playing for a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Barnes says they were distracted. Sure he gave the Cats a backhanded compliment. But Really? They were distracted by the offense, the defense, and the fact the Cats took it to them the whole game. Yesterday #4 Tennessee, #5 Arizona, #6 Iowa St., #9 Puke, #11 Baylor, and # 14 Kansas all lost. By the way, the great Bill Self’s team lost by Thirty! I know they played Houston, but Wow! Oh yeah….the Cats have gained a game on the all time winning list. You know who didn’t lose? Cal’s Cats! Kentucky will be a 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA when it’s all said and done. RAH! RAH! RAH! Go Cal’s Cats!!!
The rate of fouls being called on Ky in the first half made me concerned that by
the middle of the second they wouldn’t have enough players to finish the game.
It got better in the second half, but that 5th foul on Wagner was a horrible call.
Onyenso’s goal tend was a bad call also. That was a block. The official scorer
only gave Ugo credit for 4 blocks during the game. I know l counted 8. Don’t
understand why they weren’t all counted.
Yeah, I did not understand the block count either. Did they consider some of them steals or picked passes? What’s the story?
Jimmy, I will go ahead and call the SEC office and tell them they can cancel the tournament and give the trophy to us. While I’m at it, I will call the NCAA and tell them to do the same thing. In fact, I will call Trump, since you are so sure he won’t be in jail, and tell him to issue an executive order to call off NCAA basketball from now on, since we are going to win every game we play until the end of the world. Now if that won’t make me king of the rah rahs, but of course it will! Don’t worry, I will let you, 79, and David be my court jesters…you know, like the Three Stooges of Basketball! Here I am Moe! Yuk, Yuk, Yuk…no, I meant Rah, Rah, Rah!!!
Barry that’ comment doesn’t makes sense, you need help. Reed be glad give you the number for mental help. Go Cats!!
Maybe this year they can win the SEC Tournament for the first time in 8 yrs–which has to be the longest drought in school history–anothrr CAL record. Just reclaiming the top spot in the SEC would be an accomplishment in comparison to the last 8 yrs–would be the equivalent of a national title with the new standards CAL has set since 2016. And remember, CAL has no use for the SEC Tournament–and the results back him up. He might want to re-think that mentality this year. Lets see if you can finish tops in your conference first. Considering the current drought in both tournaments, I guarantee the "Basketball Bennies" would greatly appreciate just an SEC Tournament championship. Considering the droughts and the results from the past 8 years, an SEC Tournament championship would be celebrated as if it were a national championship–thats how hungry the fanbase has been just to win hardware of SOME KIND. A&M not going to be an easy first-round draw……
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