Why Kentucky is the most interesting team in March Madness

Kentucky is going to be the most interesting team in this year’s NCAA Tournament. As long as John Calipari’s team gets through the early grind of potential upsets, this team could roll through the bracket.

Of course, there’s a conference tournament to play first. But when it’s all said and done, Kentucky will be what fans should be watching closely.

On3’s James Fletcher joined Andy Staples On3 to break down why the Wildcats will be must-see TV this March.

“Yeah, Kentucky is going to be the most interesting team in the NCAA tournament,” Fletcher said. “I don’t think there’s gonna be any question about it. They’re going to face somebody early on in the tournament where we’re going to have questions. We’re going to talk about some mid-major team that’s got the players, that’s got the coach and some people are going to pick them to knock off Kentucky. They’re gonna say this team is too young …

“They’re going to question that big man rotation. And maybe they will be right, but also, if Kentucky can survive that I think there’s also a large group of people who are going to then pick them to go to the Final Four because they’ve got all the talent they need.” 

Kentucky is fueled by freshman Reed Sheppard, who just might be the key to taking the Wildcats to the Final Four as Fletcher suggested.

“They’ve got Reed Sheppard who has just continued to improve,” Fletcher said. “He looks better and better every time you watch him. He looks to really be the leader on the floor of this team, even as a freshman. The way that he’s able to control things on both ends of the floor. He has really picked up their defense with his intensity, with his pressure that he provides on the perimeter. 

“And then Rob Dillingham, we’ve talked at length about him and what he provides you on offense. I think that getting Ugonna Onyenso to take kind of a step forward from a rim protection standpoint, he has looked a lot better playing defense for the Wildcats.” 

However, it’s Justin Edwards that really took a step forward for Kentucky. He put up 16 points in an upset over Tennessee.

“In recent weeks. Justin Edwards has been I think maybe the biggest change for them,” Fletcher said.

“He’s a five star guy you had to put them on the floor and he provides them with something that no one else on this roster provides. Length and athleticism and just a skill on the wings standpoint, in rounding into form and looking like the five star that he was billed as has been the biggest difference maker I think, from when they were struggling a few weeks ago to now looking like one of the best teams in the country.”