Charles Barkley says it's time for Kentucky to make a deep run (and other pregame notes)

Greetings from PPG Paints Arena, where it is cold (another hockey arena) and the second half of South Carolina vs. Oregon is about to begin. We’ve got about two hours until tipoff, which gives me just enough time to share some pregame notes before I take another lap to cool the nerves.

Let’s start with some comments that are gathering steam on social media, courtesy of Charles Barkley. At halftime of North Carolina vs. Wagner, the CBS studio crew previewed Kentucky vs. Oakland and Sir Charles shared his thoughts on the current state of the program in Year 15 of the John Calipari era. Simply put, Barkley, who is friends with Calipari, said it’s been far too long since the Cats have been relevant in the postseason.

“At some point, they’ve got to make a deep run. They can’t keep getting upset. I mean, they’re the University of Kentucky. They’re one of the greatest programs in history and Cal is a terrific coach and a good friend. But at some point, he can’t keep living off what happened during the Anthony Davis era. He’s got to go deep in this tournament at some point and this might be the year.”

Charles Barkley with some strong words on Kentucky https://t.co/gFLqCpl2j0

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 21, 2024

Kentucky has been to two Final Fours since the Anthony Davis era, but it’s been nine years since then, so Barkley’s point remains. The Cats haven’t been past the first weekend of the tournament since 2019. Fingers crossed tonight is the start of the run that snaps that streak.

Being in the Media Room in Pittsburgh when Duquesne won was fun

The No. 11 Duquesne Dukes pulled off the first upset of the NCAA Tournament, knocking out No. 6 BYU 71-67. I caught the end of that game in the media room at PPG Paints Arena, which is right next to Duquesne’s campus. The Dukes’ athletic department runs the media services here at the tournament, so needless to say, they were very invested in the outcome of the game. Cheering is typically not allowed in media rooms, but everyone was rooting for the Dukes to get the win, which made it even cooler when they did. They’ll face the winner of No. 3 Illinois and No. 14 Morehead State, which is in the second half. If Kentucky and Morehead State win, it’ll be a torn crowd in the media room watching the Dukes vs. the Eagles on Saturday.

Dick Vitale was the only person on ESPN’s 73-person panel to pick Kentucky to win it all

ESPN released Final Four and National Championship picks from all 73 of its men’s college basketball analysts, writers, and commentators this morning and only one picked Kentucky to win it all: Dick Vitale. Twenty-eight have the Cats making the Final Four. Houston is the most popular pick to make it out of the South Region. Here’s hoping Kentucky proves them all wrong.

Blue is slowly getting into Pittsburgh

It took a while, but the Big Blue Nation is arriving in Pittsburgh. Our photographer Dr. Mike was at the official UK pep rally at Cafe Fifth and captured the scene:

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