Vicky Graff Photo
Maybe Kentucky coach John Calipari was right about the SEC Tournament because losing in the quarterfinals to Texas A&M certainly did not hurt UK’s NCAA Tournament seeding.
If anything, it’s almost like it helped because while there are no easy draws, UK’s draw certainly is not one that seems insurmountable.
Calipari’s team was the 11th overall seed and the No. 3 seed in the South Region. However, UK gets to open tourney play Thursday in Pittsburgh against Oakland (23-11). If the Cats do win, they would meet the Texas Tech (23-10)-NC State (22-14) survivor on Saturday in Pittsburgh. North Carolina had to win five straight games in the ACC Tournament, including a title game victory over North Carolina, to get into the NCAA.
If Kentucky can win two games — UK hasn’t won two NCAA Tournament games since 2019 and has lost seven of its last nine postseason games — the Cats would possibly face No. 2 seed Marquette or even No. 7 seed Florida.
The No. 1 seed in the Dallas Region is Houston, a team many think can win the national championship. However, Iowa State smacked Houston in the conference tournament and Houston is not a team overloaded with depth. However, Houston is a physical team that rebounds the ball well.
Kentucky, though, has to know it cannot overlook anyone, including Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies won the Horizon League and are led by junior forward Trey Townsend (16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game). Oakland is in the NCAA for only the fourth time and has just one NCAA win.
“Kentucky is good enough to go to the Final Four and win the national championship but also bad enough not to defend (and get beat early),” ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg said.
One note to remember — no team that has lost in a conference tournament quarterfinal has ever won a national championship. Kentucky and Tennessee, a No. 2 seed, both lost in the SEC quarterfinals along with Alabama, a NCAA No. 4 seed. They were not the only teams to fall in the conference quarterfinals, but sometimes the numbers don’t lie.
6 Responses
We got a decent draw, but will our defense do enough go far? That’s my concern.
My concern is our head coach. He will be out downfall.
Exactly! The real problem!
It definitely would be better late than never.
Oakland is not a team of bruisers, but they can shoot. If both offenses are clicking, it should be a shoot out. We could not have gotten a better seeding and draw. It’s time for the FRAUD to produce!
Am very surprised. Did not expect a 3-seed after losing to A&M.
Cats got a break.