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Bracketology 2021: Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan among biggest winners

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 9, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari huddles with his players during the first half against the Florida Gators at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari huddles with his players during the first half against the Florida Gators at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bracketology Kentucky Wildcats Keion Brooks Jr.  Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology Kentucky Wildcats Keion Brooks Jr.  Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky Wildcats

When the NET rankings came out on Monday, the biggest shock was where the Kentucky Wildcats were. They were No. 144, with many mid-major programs ranked ahead of them. It certainly was a deserved ranking for the team at 2-6 overall but it showed how big a climb they have to go just to get on the bubble.

Well, they took their first steps this past week. On Tuesday, they were able to get past Vanderbilt by three points, thanks to big man Olivier Sarr breaking out of his slump to go for 24 points. And while that game was close, Saturday’s 76-58 win over Florida was never in doubt in the second half. Even without freshman guard Terrence Clarke, the return of forwards Keion Brooks Jr. and Dontaie Allen have given the team more offensive options and players with experience in this system.

The slow improvement has already happened in the NET, with Kentucky below 130 and should be better than 120 after beating the Gators. And once Clarke gets back, they’ll be fully healthy and more importantly, have confidence that they can win. They’ll look to keep the momentum against both Alabama and Auburn, with the goal of getting back to .500 overall and in first place in the SEC on the line.

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