Bracket Rundown: Build the Resume

Conference races are beginning to heat up throughout the college basketball landscape after we all passed the midway point in January. Contenders are beginning to separate themselves from contenders on the hardwood.

Kentucky (13-3, 3-1) finds itself firmly in yet another SEC title hunt with a run of very winnable games before a home showdown with Tennessee the weekend before the Super Bowl. NCAA Tournament resumes are being built right now.

This week on Bracket Rundown at KSR, we are going to take a closer look at Kentucky’s team sheet and dive into what the Wildcats need to get gone over the next three outings before that huge home game at Rupp Arena against Rick Barnes, Dalton Knecht, and Tennessee.

Let’s dive in.

Kentucky’s low-key next 2 weeks

Kentucky currently sits at No. 17 in NET and KenPom. The Wildcats are No. 18 in strength of record. This is a team that will need some more quality wins to beef up their resume. Those opportunities will be coming, but the next four games are also important.

• Georgia | Jan. 20 | Quad 3
• at South Carolina | Jan. 23 | Quad 1
• at Arkansas | Jan. 27 | Quad 2
• Florida | Jan. 31 | Quad 2

Kentucky is currently 2-2 in Quadrant 1 with wins over North Carolina and Florida. The Wildcats will get another chance to add a win in that important column when they travel to Columbia on Tuesday. UK also has an unblemished record (2-0) in Quadrant 2. Many more games in that tier will be arriving. The road trip to Arkansas against a reeling Eric Musselman team feels like one that should be a win before the Cats go for another season sweep against Florida.

Surprisingly, the home game on Saturday with Georgia is the worst of the next stretch. That means it is the one Kentucky does not want to lose. The Bulldogs have surprised many this season, but Mike White’s team is sub-100 in adjusted offensive efficiency and only owns one top-50 KenPom win this season. This is one Kentucky should handle.

The next huge game will arrive when Tennessee comes to town. That will give Kentucky an opportunity to record a massive Quad 1A win. Before that arrives, the Wildcats will have other chances to strengthen their resume.

Luckett’s Top 16

1. Purdue (16-2, 5-2)
2. Houston (15-2, 2-2)
3. UConn (16-2, 6-1)
4. Kansas (15-2, 3-1)
5. Arizona (13-4, 4-2)
6. North Carolina (14-3, 6-0)
7. Tennessee (13-4, 3-1)
8. Wisconsin (13-4, 5-1)
9. Baylor (14-3, 3-1)
10. Duke (13-3, 4-1)
11. Kentucky (13-3, 3-1)
12. Marquette (12-5, 3-3)
13. Auburn (15-2, 4-0)
14. Dayton (14-2, 4-0)
15. Alabama (12-5, 4-0)
16. Oklahoma (14-3, 2-2)

In this scenario, look for Kentucky to get a No. 3 seed with a potential matchup with No. 2 seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16 and No. 1 seed UConn in the Elite Eight. That would place the Wildcats in the Boston regional.

Weekend Games to Watch

— Miami at Syracuse: In November, Kentucky picked up a huge home win over Miami, and that appeared to be one that would matter on Selection Sunday. That is not the case right now. The Hurricanes are firmly on the bubble with a 3-3 record in ACC play. If Miami keeps losing that could turn into a Quad 3 win for Kentucky. Some Miami wins could help Kentucky’s resume.

— Baylor at Texas: Scott Drew’s Baylor team is one ahead of Kentucky on the No. 3 seed line. However, the Bears just dropped a road game to Kansas State and now will face a Texas team coming off a home loss to UCF. A home win by the Longhorns could help Kentucky move up.

— Alabama at Tennessee: The biggest game of the SEC season to date will take place on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Alabama has played a tough schedule and needs more quality wins to climb up the seed line. Tennessee is very much in contention for a No. 1 seed. Both teams are legitimate contenders for the conference title.