Kentucky enters top-10 at KenPom

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NCAA Basketball: Battle in Seattle-Kentucky at Gonzaga — Dec 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (13) during overtime at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

After starting the 2022-23 season with a 7-3 record, Kentucky headed to Missouri ranked No. 8 overall at KenPom for the SEC opener on Dec. 28. The Wildcats were clobbered by Dennis Gates‘ team giving up 89 points on 1.31 points per possession in a 14-point loss that didn’t feel that close.

Kentucky dropped out of the top-10 in KenPom’s college basketball efficiency ratings. The Wildcats didn’t re-enter the top-10 again until after last night’s win over top-five Gonzaga. Mark Pope‘s team has moved up to No. 10 overall with two neutral-site victories over a pair of top-five foes.

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The Wildcats are up to No. 9 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 17 in adjusted tempo. UK owns a great turnover rate (13.2%) and rank inside the top 100 in both two-point field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage. Kentucky’s defense ranks No. 26 in adjusted defensive efficiency. UK ranks No. 6 in three-point field goal percentage defense (25.3%) and is in the top 50 in defensive rebound percentage (74.6%).

Kentucky passed the two biggest non-conference tests with wins over Duke and Gonzaga. Games against Ohio State (No. 28) and Louisville (No. 52) remain before league play begins. Kentucky’s road loss to Clemson came against a top-20 opponent. Brad Brownell‘s team is up to No. 16 overall at KenPom thanks to a 9-1 start and a top-five defense.

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The schedule will quickly get tougher when SEC play begins. Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida join Kentucky in the top 10 of Ken Pom’s rankings. Mississippi State (No. 12), Texas A&M (No. 26), Ole Miss (No. 27), Texas (No. 35), Georgia (No. 39), Oklahoma (No. 42), Arkansas (No. 45), and LSU (No. 48) are all in position to make a run at a at-large bid.

Pope’s first Kentucky team plays in the toughest conference in hoops but the Wildcats seem ready to compete for a league title. This squad has already exceeded preseason expectations after beginning the season at No. 43 overall. With two huge Quad 1 wins in their back pocket, the Cats are now in position to make a run at a No. 1 seed. The metrics back that up.