NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday is here: See who and where Kentucky basketball could play

Ryan Black, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read

All that's left for Kentucky this season is the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats, who bowed out of the SEC Tournament in Friday night's quarterfinals, will learn the specifics of their NCAA bid Sunday evening.

What seed will UK be? Where will it play? And who will it face in the first round?

Bracketmatrix.com compiles bracket projections from around the internet. The site's latest projections include more than 100 brackets, with the Wildcats' average seed 6.39, as of Sunday morning. Kentucky's highest projection is a 5-seed, while its lowest is a 7-seed.

Bracketology:Latest NCAA projections for Kentucky basketball after SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt

Here are some of the possible scenarios for Kentucky before Selection Sunday, with possible seeds and matchups:

Who Kentucky might face if it earns a 5-seed

Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari directs his team against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari directs his team against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

While a 5-seed seems unlikely for UK, here are some potential 12th-seeded foes (all projections based on a team's Bracketmatrix.com average seed):

  • College of Charleston

  • Oral Roberts

  • Drake

  • VCU

Kentucky football:Mark Stoops on Devin Leary, O-line and injuries as the Wildcats start spring practice

Who Kentucky might face if it earns a 6-seed

If the Wildcats land a 6-seed, here are some possible 11th-seeded opponents:

  • Providence

  • N.C. State

  • Rutgers

  • Pittsburgh

  • Arizona State

More Kentucky football:Why new RB coach Jay Boulware was drawn to the Wildcats and Mark Stoops' staff

Who Kentucky might face if it earns a 7-seed

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace (22) battles Vanderbilt guard Ezra Manjon (5) for a loose ball during the first half of a quarterfinal SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena Friday, March 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Sec Basketball Vanderbilt Vs Kentucky
Kentucky guard Cason Wallace (22) battles Vanderbilt guard Ezra Manjon (5) for a loose ball during the first half of a quarterfinal SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena Friday, March 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Sec Basketball Vanderbilt Vs Kentucky

If UK earns a 7-seed and faces a No. 10, here are some possible opponents:

  • Boise State

  • Penn State

  • Southern Cal

  • Utah State

Next in line?How Ray Davis' unique path to Kentucky football prepared him to fight for starting RB job

For subscribers:Analyzing Kentucky basketball signee Justin Edwards' game after a live look in Louisville

Possible destinations

Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Chris Livingston (24) goes to the basket against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Chris Livingston (24) goes to the basket against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

There are eight cities serving as host sites for the first and second rounds of this year's tournament:

  • Albany, New York

  • Birmingham, Alabama

  • Columbus, Ohio

  • Denver

  • Des Moines, Iowa

  • Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Sacramento, California

Two national outlets, CBS Sports and ESPN, have predicted the Wildcats will head to Sacrament this week.

Kentucky basketball recruiting:These players have signed to the Wildcats' 2023 class

Best of the best:Who are Kentucky men's basketball's all-time coaching wins leaders?

Best scenario for UK to make a March Madness run

Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves (12) celebrates a three point basket against Vanderbilt during the first half of a quarterfinal SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena Friday, March 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Sec Basketball Vanderbilt Vs Kentucky
Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves (12) celebrates a three point basket against Vanderbilt during the first half of a quarterfinal SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena Friday, March 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Sec Basketball Vanderbilt Vs Kentucky

The lower the seed, the tougher the path is supposed to be for a team. With Kentucky likely being a 6- or 7-seed, that means meeting a No. 10 or 11 in the first round, and, if seedings hold, a 2- or 3-seed in the second.

Between CBS Sports, ESPN and The Athletic's latest projections, no potential second-round foe — Baylor, Gonzaga or UCLA — would be an easy matchup for UK. The Bulldogs and Bruins already have beaten the Wildcats earlier this season, while the Bears are an up-tempo, lethal 3-point shooting team, the type that has given UK problems in 2022-23.

All things being equal, Kentucky's best bet might be a rematch with UCLA. That's because the Bruins won't be the same team the Wildcats faced in December: Star guard Jaylen Clark, who last week won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award, is expected to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.

How to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show

The selection show begins at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS. You can also stream the show: Selection Sunday stream

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: Kentucky basketball March Madness: NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday