If ESPN’s latest Bracketology projection turns into reality, Kentucky fans might want to brace themselves — because this potential NCAA Tournament path is loaded with history, emotions, and some of the most familiar faces imaginable.
Under Mark Pope, Kentucky has firmly reinserted itself into the NCAA Tournament picture. With seven regular-season games remaining — including five Quad 1 opportunities — the Wildcats still have room to improve their résumé. But as things stand today, Big Blue Nation can feel confident that Selection Sunday will include Kentucky’s name.
According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Wildcats currently project as a No. 7 seed, opening the tournament in St. Louis. That alone sets the stage, but the possible first-round matchup adds even more intrigue. Kentucky would face No. 10 seed UCLA, creating a potential showdown with former Wildcat signee Skyy Clark, now with the Bruins after stops at Illinois and Louisville. Toss in the Donovan Dent transfer storyline, and it’s a game BBN would circle immediately.
If Kentucky advances, a Round of 32 matchup against No. 2 seed Iowa State would likely be waiting. While not a rivalry game, there are still connections. The Wildcats briefly recruited Cyclones standout Milan Momcilovic during his high school days, and longtime fans may remember Kentucky’s 87-71 win over Iowa State during the 2012 national championship run.
But the real madness begins deeper in the Midwest Regional.
Chicago could host a bracket filled with rematches and reunion storylines. Michigan State and North Carolina — both teams Kentucky has already faced this season — are projected in the same region. And then there’s the headline-grabbing possibility: Kentucky running into Rick Pitino’s St. John’s or John Calipari’s Arkansas.
Either matchup would instantly dominate the national conversation. A Pitino showdown would reopen one of the most polarizing chapters in program history, while a potential meeting with Calipari would be drenched in emotion, scrutiny, and nonstop debate.
Survive that stretch, and Kentucky could be staring down No. 1 seed Michigan and head coach Dusty May with a Final Four trip to Indianapolis on the line.
In this projected scenario, Kentucky’s path could realistically run through UCLA, Iowa State, Arkansas, and St. John’s — a gauntlet that would test both the Wildcats and the nerves of Big Blue Nation.
Elsewhere in the bracket, Arizona, UConn, and Duke join Michigan as No. 1 seeds. The No. 2 line includes Iowa State, Nebraska, Houston, and Illinois. The SEC and Big Ten currently lead all conferences with 10 projected bids each.
With March quickly approaching and plenty still left to be decided, one thing is already clear: if this bracket holds, Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament run would be anything but ordinary.
Would Big Blue Nation survive a March like this?
