Just a week ago, things were looking up for the Kentucky Basketball program.
The Wildcats had won 8 of 9 games, including two victories over Tennessee and a win over Arkansas. Fast-forward a week: after back-to-back losses to Florida and a reeling Georgia team, Kentucky is now on Bubble Watch, according to ESPN.
To be fair, ESPN’s Neil Paine still thinks Kentucky is very likely to get into the tournament, but it is no longer a lock like it was a week ago.
Here’s what he had to say about Kentucky.
The Wildcats had moved into “lock” territory in the forecast models after defeating Tennessee on Feb. 7 for an eighth win in nine games. But then a pair of losses to Florida and, on Tuesday, Georgia at home, followed, dipping their odds down to 94% — still very strong, but enough to warrant further Bubble Watching. Their résumé (five Quadrant 1 wins, including three Quadrant 1A, enough to rank 27th nationally in our résumé average) is also still around sixth-best in the SEC, which projects to get nine or 10 tourney teams. So they’re comfortably above the danger zone for now. The biggest concern might be that they have the nation’s toughest remaining schedule per the BPI, with four of five games against Quadrant 1 foes (three against Quadrant 1A).
Kentucky would still be in the field if the season moved today, but looking at the remainder of the schedule, the Cats will likely need to pull out a game or two where they are underdogs to feel confident headed into Selection Sunday.
The Cats still have remaining road trips to Auburn, South Carolina, and Texas A&M, with home games against Vanderbilt and Florida.
The Georgia loss certainly stings, coming in the midst of a difficult stretch of games to end the regular season, but Kentucky has a chance to pick up some major wins during this stretch as well.
Tweet of the Day
A year ago, I would’ve thought this was the craziest thing possible. Now? Not so much.
Headlines
What Kentucky must do to save its season – Herald Leader
What would it require for you to be satisfied with this season?
Losses to unranked teams at home continue to be a problem for Kentucky – KSR
Too many bad losses at Rupp.
Uncertainty remains about Tyler Bell’s status – Cats Pause
Hopefully we see him back on the field soon.
Asia Boone playing big role for Wildcats – Vaughts Views
She’s been playing well.
UK Softball picks up win over Murray State – UK Athletics
Allie Blum to the rescue.
JT Toppin has torn ACL, out for remainder of season – ESPN
A major hit for a Texas Tech team that looked like it could make some noise in March.
USA Men’s Hockey advances to semifinals – Bleacher Report
Quinn Hughes for the win!
The Seahawks are up for sale – Yahoo
I guess a month after a Super Bowl win is a good time to sell.
Most of the internet’s NBA tanking solutions wouldn’t work – CBS Sports
The Lottery Tournament is the most interesting idea, but not sure it’s the best idea.
Steve Lavin won’t return as San Diego coach – NBC Sports
It has not gone well for the former UCLA and St. John’s coach.
North Carolina has bigger problems than Hubert Davis – SI
I wouldn’t expect Hubert to be let go this offseason.