Only one CBS Sports writer didn't pick Kentucky to make the Final Four

Four out of five CBS Sports college basketball writers agree: Kentucky is going to the Final Four next spring.

Earlier today, the outlet released its predictions for the upcoming season, and Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander, Kyle Boone, and Jerry Palm all have the Cats playing in Houston the first weekend in April. Palm predicts Kentucky will lose to Gonzaga in the title game, while Norlander and Boone picked the Cats to win their ninth national championship. Norlander has Kentucky beating Gonzaga and Boone has the Cats defeating Houston. David Cobb was the only expert not to include Kentucky in his Final Four. Boo, David Cobb!

Here’s why Norlander is going with Kentucky to win it all.

“Having Oscar Tshiebwe back is going to be paramount to getting this done. I’m trusting that his recent knee scope was simple and won’t impact his NPOY candidacy. With Tshiebwe in the middle, Jacob Toppin set up for a breakout senior season and Sahvir Wheeler likely growing into being one of the steadiest point guards in the country, that’s a strong 1-2-3. Add in C.J. Frederick’s 3-point shooting, Daimion Collins’ athleticism, Antonio Reeves’ scoring. We’re cooking with gas now. And that’s before getting to future NBA picks in freshmen clothing: Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston.

This roster doesn’t look top-five in terms of overall talent at UK since John Calipari got there, but I like the pieces and their potential to fit. Elite defensive outfit that will have enough ways to shoot and score to play with, and defeat, any team. And after losing to Saint Peter’s, the motivation quotient is overwhelming.”

It’s hard to think of a more poetic result than Kentucky winning it all after losing in the first round to a No. 15-seed. Glad to see I’m not alone in thinking it’s possible.

Watch the latest John Calipari press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Kentucky also ESPN’s title favorite

In its SEC Basketball preview last week, ESPN’s panel of college basketball writers agreed that Kentucky is the favorite to win the 2023 title. Joe Lunardi went as far as to say he’d bet money on the Cats cutting down the nets.

“If I had to bet a mortgage payment today, without seeing a minute of any game, Kentucky would be my pick for the national championship,” Lunardi wrote. “The Wildcats have the Player of the Year favorite along with other proven veterans. They also have the usual immediate contributors coming in (but not too many so as to require a lengthy acclimation period). And, of course, they have the ‘chip on their shoulder’ factor based on last season’s ignominious NCAA tournament exit.”

From your lips to the basketball gods’ ears, Joe.