Kentucky Women’s Basketball Poised for Strong NCAA Tournament Run
Despite the Kentucky Wildcats’ early exit from the SEC Tournament at the hands of Oklahoma, they remain in a strong position heading into the NCAA Tournament. ESPN women’s bracketologist Charlie Creme projects Kentucky as a No. 3 seed, reinforcing their opportunity to host the first two rounds of the tournament.
While the loss was a setback, Kentucky’s overall body of work, combined with favorable results from other SEC teams, solidified their standing. With Selection Sunday approaching, the Wildcats are eager to prove they belong among the nation’s elite.
Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament Seeding Outlook
According to Creme, Kentucky should have little concern about its hosting status, given the tournament results elsewhere in the SEC. Early exits by Tennessee and Alabama provided a cushion for the Wildcats, keeping them firmly in the mix for a top-three seed.
“I don’t think Kentucky has anything to worry about in terms of hosting,” Creme stated. “I think they did enough. There was enough losing that took place that they were not a part of: Tennessee and Alabama early in the SEC Tournament that provided some cushion for teams like Kentucky and Oklahoma.”
However, there remains a small chance the Wildcats could fall to a No. 4 seed, depending on how the selection committee evaluates their overall résumé. Creme currently projects Kentucky in the Birmingham Region as a No. 3 seed, with Texas as the No. 1 seed in that bracket.
A Resurgent Season Under Kenny Brooks
The 2023-24 season has marked a return to prominence for Kentucky women’s basketball. Under first-year head coach Kenny Brooks, the Wildcats have compiled an impressive 22-7 record, positioning themselves among the top 15 teams nationally. This resurgence marks Kentucky’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2021-22 season, a significant milestone for the program.
As of Monday, Kentucky ranks 18th in the NET rankings, a key metric for NCAA Tournament selection. The Wildcats boast a 5-6 record in Quad 1 games and remain undefeated (4-0) in Quad 2 matchups. Their defensive improvement has been particularly noteworthy, as they held SEC opponents to just 65.8 points per game—Kentucky’s best scoring defense in conference play since the 2018-19 season.
Wildcats Ready to Make Noise in March
While the loss to Oklahoma in the SEC quarterfinals was disappointing, it does little to diminish Kentucky’s overall season success. With a balanced offense, improved defense, and strong leadership under Brooks, the Wildcats have the tools to make a deep tournament run.
As Selection Sunday approaches, Kentucky fans eagerly await their team’s official placement in the bracket. Regardless of final seeding, the Wildcats are well-positioned to be a formidable contender in the NCAA Tournament.
