Where is Kentucky basketball in latest NCAA Tournament projections?

LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball couldn’t have ended the regular season with less momentum.

A loss to Texas A&M in its road finale. Then, a setback to Florida on senior day at Rupp Arena.

But the NCAA Tournament projections for UK and coach Mark Pope have remained fairly steady.

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) celebrates a three point basket during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots a lay up during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Walker Horn (11) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) goes to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) and guard Collin Chandler (5) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) drives to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) celebrates after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Walker Horn (11) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) handles the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Zach Tow (20) waves to the crowd during the senior day ceremony before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope claps during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) shoots the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) dunks the ballduring the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) goes to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) goes to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats forward Andrija Jelavic (4) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) dunks the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) goes to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) celebrates with guard Xaivian Lee (1) during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks to his players from the sideline during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Florida Gators in regular‑season finale. See photos

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) goes to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

As of March 8, the Wildcats‘ average seed on Bracket Matrix is 6.89. That’s down slightly from their 6.24 average March 3, prior to the loss to the Aggies.

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Through games on March 8, Kentucky‘s NET ranking was 27, one spot lower than last week.

Bracketologists.com, which seeds its bracket using NET rankings alone, updated its projections March 8 and slotted the Wildcats as a 7-seed; the site predicted a rematch with Indiana, which UK beat in Lexington on Dec. 13. Bracketville released its newest bracket March 9 and has Kentucky as the West Region’s 6-seed, traveling to San Diego to meet 11th-seeded Miami-Ohio — college basketball’s last unbeaten team.

Here’s a look at Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament résumé as of March 9, as well as projections from a variety of national outlets:

Kentucky basketball’s resume, NET ranking

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks the ball during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks the ball during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) is fouled by Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) during the first half at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Rubén Dominguez (9) reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) shoots lay up as Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) defends during the first half at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Kentucky basketball visits Texas A&M. See photos from the game

Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Josh Holloway (1) passes the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

NET ranking: 28

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KenPom ranking: 27

Quad 1 record: 5-10

Quad 2 record: 5-2

Quad 3 record: 3-0

Quad 4 record: 6-0

Where ESPN projects Kentucky basketball in NCAA Tournament

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Duke Miles (2) shoots the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Duke Miles (2) shoots the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) looks to the Kentucky bench during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Chandler Bing (7) goes to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope motions to his players during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

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Kentucky Wildcats host Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. See photos

Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores forward Ak Okereke (10) shoots the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Andrija Jelavic (4) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi‘s newest projections went live March 8. He has UK as a 7-seed in the Midwest Region. Lunardi forecasts Kentucky heading to Philadelphia to battle 10th-seeded Iowa.

CBS Sports Kentucky basketball bracketology for NCAA Tournament

CBS Sports published its latest bracketology piece March 9. CBS also has the Wildcats in the Midwest and taking on the Hawkeyes in Round 1. The difference between ESPN and CBS? The latter has UK down one seed line (No. 8) and Iowa up one (No. 9).

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UK basketball bracketology from USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith and Eddie Timanus combined to create a bracket for the network, which was released before games tipped off March 7. USA TODAY had UK as a 6-seed, heading to Portland for the first round. The site projected Kentucky awaiting the winner of a First Four matchup between 11-seeds SMU and New Mexico.

What’s next for Kentucky basketball

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) makes a three point basket over South Carolina Gamecocks guard Mike Sharavjamts (55) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) makes a three point basket over South Carolina Gamecocks guard Mike Sharavjamts (55) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Jordan Butler (0) makes a three point basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) celebrates a three point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Kobe Knox (4) drives against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson (5) drives against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson (5) drives around Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson (5) drives around Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) and South Carolina Gamecocks forward EJ Walker (6) battle for a rebound during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Kobe Knox (4) drives into Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward EJ Walker (6) drives past Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Mike Sharavjamts (55) drives around Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Kentucky men’s basketball plays at South Carolina. See photos from game

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

The SEC Tournament is on tap for Kentucky this week.

UK, the 9-seed, plays in the event’s opening game at 12:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. It will face the No. 16 seed, last-place LSU. The Wildcats won the only regular-season matchup with the Tigers, as freshman center Malachi Moreno sank the game-winning jumper at the buzzer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Jan. 14.

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If Kentucky wins, it seals a spot in the second round opposite No. 8-seed Missouri at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Another UK victory clinches a berth in the quarterfinals, where top-seeded Florida would await at 1 p.m. Friday.

Regardless of how UK fares in the league tournament, it’s merely a precursor to Selection Sunday. This year’s NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball March Madness projections, UK NCAA Tournament