Bracketology 2023: 5 key games that could impact No. 1 seeds

Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks place their name as national champions on the bracket after their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Bracketology Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Kentucky vs. Michigan State, Nov. 15, 7:00 pm ET, ESPN

We begin our journey this week in Indianapolis at the Champions Classic. In the first game, No. 4 Kentucky takes on Michigan State. The 2-0 Wildcats have arguably the country’s best player, Oscar Tshiebwe and this will be the first test for him and Kentucky after knocking off Duquesne and Howard by a combined 57 points. After becoming an unexpected punchline in last year’s tournament with a first-round loss to Cinderella Saint Peter’s, John Calipari has his team eyeing the top line of the bracket this season.

They take on a Michigan State team that is 1-1 and coming off a 64-63 loss at the hands of Gonzaga and take on Alabama after this contest, Coach Izzo is testing his team early. Tshiebwe is Kentucky’s best player, but their most important player is point guard Sahvir Wheeler. The senior guard injured his knee in an exhibition game and returned against Duquesne with a vengeance, finishing with 11 points and 11 assists. In his stead in the opener, freshman Cason Wallace has filled in admirably, but being healthy against the Spartans will be important.

In terms of a No. 1 seed, this is a chance for the Wildcats to make a statement with lots of eyeballs watching and if a No. 1 seed is in their future this is a game Kentucky should win.

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