NCAA Basketball: UConn, Iowa State, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
12. Kentucky (23-9)
Nothing has been perfect for Kentucky but there’s a lot to like about this team this season. The Wildcats stand among the very best scoring teams in the nation and have been lethal on offense for most of the year. They exceeded 110 points twice during a five-game winning streak to end the regular season, securing a 13-5 record in SEC play. However, the biggest question in Lexington is how this team fares in the postseason and it wasn’t a great start.
Kentucky’s defensive woes reared their ugly head on Friday as the Wildcats were upset 97-87 by Texas A&M in the quarterfinals. Kentucky had the 2-seed and a great shot to win the SEC Tournament, but were let down by their defensive effort. This team did shoot 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and got 27 points from Rob Dillingham, but it simply wasn’t enough against a Texas A&M squad fighting for their Tournament lives.
The latest disappointment for the Wildcats isn’t the end of the world. Kentucky is still situated nicely for the Big Dance and will almost certainly have the advantage on offense in their initial games. Obviously, the concern is on the defensive end, with John Calipari likely hoping his team doesn’t need 100 to win these games in the NCAA Tournament. Can their defense do enough next week and potentially beyond?