Ranked 4th in the AP Top 25 after the season started, kentucky This week’s poll showed it didn’t get a single vote in an embarrassing 78-52 loss in an SEC game that started 1-2. Alabama Saturday. The 46th-ranked Wildcats in the NET, with a 0-4-game-per-quad record, returned from a 26-8 record to return this year’s National Player of the Year Oscar Zibwe alongside other key players such as Savile Wheeler and Jacob Toppin. I am very disappointed after that. team.
Dissatisfaction with 14th-year coach John Calipari hit a record high within the UK fanbase shortly after a spectacular upset loss to 15th-seeded St. Peters in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament. I’m here. His last Big Dance win in the program was his 2019, but it suddenly seemed like he had no guarantee of winning in 2023.
But with Selection Sunday still two months away, Kentucky still has time to turn things around. Five-star freshmen Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston have each shown encouraging flashes and should improve as the season progresses. should return from
The range of results for the Wildcats remains vast, and Calipari’s tenure story has reached an important milestone to capture the attention of the entire sport over the next few weeks. In this week’s Dribbling his handoff, our writers offer their predictions for how the rest of Kentucky’s season will play out.
Cats are bubble team but make a big dance
- Expected meeting recording: 10-8
- Predicted NCAA Tournament Seeds: No. 9
Kentucky has been unimpressive all season and doesn’t look like things are on the verge of turning around. The Wildcats trailed him by 26 in Alabama. They are 3-3 in their last 6 games, still 0 wins in Quadrant 1 and down to 45th in the rankings. Netat 56 BartTorvik.com Ranked 62nd in KPI.
Britain looks like a possible bubble team.
At this point, I’m skeptical that the Wildcats will live up to preseason expectations. ken pom dot com, which is in the top five basically everywhere and is classified as an SEC favorite. And… who knows? A year ago, Britain had a great regular season followed by a terrible NCAA Tournament. This year it could probably be the other way around. A disappointing regular season is followed by a great NCAA Tournament. Wallace) still remains. Not the most talented roster John Calipari has ever assembled, but still more talented than most coaches. Just do your thing and see if things go in the right direction when the single-elimination tournament starts. — Gary Parrish
An eventful British season, but big wins to come
- Expected meeting recording: 11-7
- Predicted NCAA Tournament Seeds: No. 9
The UK sits 1-2 in the SEC, but we expect it to be 2-2 after a beating south carolina AT HOME ON TUESDAY NIGHT – That meeting is going to be far too grueling for the Wildcats to reasonably expect to pull off a four-game winning streak or more between now and the postseason. There are 7 times, and on January 28th, we will face No. 2 at home. Kansas In the final edition of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Losses therefore accumulate on a regular basis. But I’m hoping Kentucky will find some solution and beef up their defenses.
I expect it to score some important quad 1 wins and ensure we dodge the bubble talk by the second week of March. This will be on the team in 2014 where he played 8/9 games. He already has five losses, and probably expects to lose at least five between now and Selection Sunday, so I’m optimistic Kentucky will take his single-digit seed. Slightly yes, though, thanks to their strong performance in the SEC tournament. And: Kentucky will beat Kansas later this month. — Matt Norlander
Wildcats make big leaps by February
- Expected meeting recording: 13-5
- Predicted NCAA Tournament Seeds: No.6
There is no doubt that Kentucky is underperforming compared to preseason expectations, and even more so compared to mid-season expectations that were eased after an early struggle caused a hard reset. Even with serious issues, they’re flat off a 10-5 start to the season. There are reasons for cautious optimism, however. This is by far his one of the best 3-point shooting teams Calipari has played in the UK. Oscar his Tzibwe has continued to slam the offensive glass and create second chance opportunities for him despite all his struggles.
Just focus on what works well, like tweaking player roles, firing 3-pointers, giving Cason Wallace a chance to set the table, and putting Tshiebwe in an advantageous spot to turn things around. is likely enough. There are still some areas in the margin that need significant improvement.This team is not good at shooting free throws, and they always encounter late-time hero balls on offense. They are the 7th seed in the NCAA Tournament and are back in the top 15 level teams by the end of the regular season. — Kyle Boone
First Four UK, one of Big Dance’s last teams
- Expected meeting recording: 9-9
- Predicted NCAA Tournament Seeds: No. 12 (first four)
Kentucky plays an antiquated offensive style defined by methodical pace and limited floor spacing. Without an elite defense that can consistently create transition opportunities, Britain are bogged down on half-court sets, struggling to find rhythm or build momentum. At this point, they don’t have the ability to pull the strings needed to unlock the potential of this roster.
The SEC’s bottom feeder ensures the Wildcats have a decent number of wins in the league. However, Great Britain will not have a regular season rematch with No. 4 Alabama, focusing on his two games against No. 5. Tennessee And two games against No. 15 ArkansasOutside of those contests, one game with No. 21 auburn The Big 12/SEC Challenge game against No. 2 Kansas is Kentucky’s only chance to add substance to their resume.
It’s hard to see the Wildcats do better than 2-4 or 3-3 against Arkansas (2 games), Tennessee (2 games), Auburn and Kansas. Kentucky looks destined for an NCAA tournament bubble. I’ll take the Wildcats’ chance to get into his 4th place first. Indiana, Michigan When UCLA There are recent years. — David Cobb
