How far can Kentucky basketball go in NCAA Tournament? Analysts on John Calipari's team
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kentucky's quest for its first Final Four appearance in more than eight years begins Friday in Greensboro, North Carolina. But a pair of analysts think that goal might be wishful thinking for the sixth-seeded Wildcats.
"They've still got some flaws," SEC Network analyst Dane Bradshaw told The Courier Journal last week. "I think they can make the Sweet 16. I'd be surprised if they go beyond that. Of course, if you get to that point, then everything's on the line. Then it just becomes a battle. I would not be counting them out."
Pat Bradley, also a college basketball analyst for SEC Network, said an extended March run hinges on Kentucky's defense. He pointed to Texas A&M as an example: in the second half of a come-from-behind win over Arkansas in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, the Aggies "shut off the lane," he said. Kentucky struggled to do that in its own quarterfinal against Vanderbilt, when the Commodores drove to the basket at will.
Ahead of March Madness:After short SEC Tournament stay, Kentucky looks to get healthy
"To me, it's gonna be defense," Bradley said. "Are they gonna get down, not allow dribble penetration? They've shown they can do it. It's just, do they believe in themselves; that's the key. Or do they think their jump shot is the key?"
When healthy, Bradley believes the Wildcats have proven they're among the top 15 teams in the country.
Both analysts bought into preseason expectations of Kentucky as the SEC favorite and a legitimate national title threat. The Wildcats entered the season with their returning core (seniors Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler, Jacob Toppin and CJ Fredrick), a talented trio of freshmen (Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston and Adou Thiero) and transfer portal addition of Antonio Reeves.
Kentucky vs Providence basketball:What to know about first-round NCAA Tournament game
Tshiebwe's preseason injury along with ongoing health problems that have plagued the roster — Reeves and Livingston are the only Wildcats who have played in all 32 games this season — disrupted any chance at cohesion for UK this year.
After an early February road loss to Georgia, UK was projected to miss the NCAA Tournament.
"I just give them a ton of credit," Bradshaw said. "I don't know if that coaching staff would say they just completely blocked out all the noise, but they minimized the noise and they kept that locker room intact."
Want to win your office pool?How to fill out your March Madness brackets for the best odds in NCAA Tournament
Now, as the NCAA Tournament nears, Bradshaw believes the up-and-down momentum swings of this season might pay dividends.
"They've gone through a lot, and I think that the players will tell you themselves: going through that stuff makes you stronger," he said. "As long as you don't let it divide you — and they haven't — and (you become) unified, you can pull off something special."
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: March Madness 2023: Could Kentucky basketball return to Final Four?
