UK Fans of the Day want Kentucky NCAA Tournament Predictions from the National Media

The bracket is out and college basketball writers have been in overdrive breaking it down. Sadly, not many have Kentucky getting that far.

Most national media members have the Cats losing in the Second Round or Sweet 16, with Tennessee and Houston the most popular picks in the Midwest Region. That said, a few brave souls have the Cats making it to the Final Four in San Antonio — even if one of them admitted they forgot Jaxson Robinson is out for the season.

Here’s a roundup of all of the national media picks including Kentucky that I could find.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello: Second Round

Borzello has Kentucky beating Troy 88-74 in the first round but losing to Illinois by two in the second round, 87-85.

“Tennessee’s elite defense will be tested by either Illinois or Kentucky in the Sweet 16, although the Vols already played both teams (and got swept by the Wildcats). Without Jaxson Robinson and a healthy Lamont Butler, though, I have Mark Pope’s team going out to Illinois in the second round.”

College Gameday: Sweet 16 or earlier

None of the College Gameday crew picked Kentucky to make the Elite Eight. All four panelists picked Houston and Tennessee as the final teams in the Midwest Region. Jay Bilas thinks Kentucky’s injuries will prevent them from getting past Tennessee — even though Mark Pope said the Cats will have Lamont Butler back for the tournament.

“Tennessee, that’s a really good draw down at the bottom because Kentucky, you don’t know what their health is going to be. Jaxson Robinson is out for the season. Lamont Butler, you’re not sure if he’s going to be back and healthy and 100%. And without Lamont Butler, they’re a totally different team, especially defensively. I think Tennessee’s got a really good draw.”

The Athletic’s CJ Moore: Second Round

“Illinois has been a wild ride this year. Every time I start to believe in the Illini, they give me good reason to jump off the bandwagon. But they have been much better with a healthy Tomislav Ivisic, and he was starting to play better until the loss to Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinal. Kentucky, meanwhile, is limping into the tournament and has been injury-riddled all season. If Lamont Butler were back to his usual self, I’d maybe lean Kentucky, but it doesn’t seem like his shoulder is ever going to be the same.”

The Athletic’s Lindsay Schnell: Final Four

“Picking a bracket is only fun if you’re willing to take chances, and with that in mind, I present the Final Four-bound Kentucky Wildcats. Is it risky? Of course. Is it statistically a good choice? Probably not, but I’m a journalist, not a mathematician. Am I second-guessing my decision upon remembering that Jaxson Robinson is out for the season? Yes. But I remembered this after I’d picked my bracket — using pen, not pencil — and sent it to my editor. So here we are. I’m going all in on Mark Pope, Amari Williams and Otega Oweh. Of course, for this prediction to come true, the Wildcats will have to score and score a lot, because they’re not exactly known for lockdown defense (rated No. 56 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency … yikes).”

John Fanta: Second Round

CBS Sports staff

• Gary Parrish: Second Round
• Jerry Palm: Second Round
• Kyle Boone: Second Round
• Chip Patterson: Second Round
• David Cobb: Second Round
• Cameron Salerno: Elite Eight
• Dennis Dodd: Sweet 16

CBS Sports’ Tim Doyle: Final Four

.@TimDoyle00 has the Cats making a Final Four run 👀#BBN pic.twitter.com/l8lUO4OVol

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 17, 2025

Matt Norlander: Elite Eight

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander picked Kentucky to beat Tennessee to make it to the Elite Eight, but Houston to beat the Cats to make it to the Final Four.

“Offense beating defense and I’m making this pick specifically because I think if Lamont Butler is healthy enough, they’ve got the depth, they’ve got the style of play, I will trust Kentucky to get it done this season. They’ve been a good team that’s beaten a lot of good teams and when these teams met earlier this season, Kentucky and Tennessee, Tennessee lost both of them. I’m going for Kentucky to repeat over the Vols this year.”

The Sporting News staff

• Mike DeCourcy: Sweet 16
• Bill Bender: Sweet 16

Sports Illustrated staff

• Pat Forde: Sweet 16
• Kevin Sweeney: Second Round
• Bryan Fischer: Second Round

Sweeney has Kentucky losing in the Second Round to Illinois, but named Lamont Butler his player to watch in the Midwest Region.

“Once a Final Four hero with the San Diego State Aztecs for his game-winning shot against the FAU Owls, Butler now gets his last dance at Kentucky with aspirations of yet another deep run. Kentucky is a different team with Butler on the floor: He’s essential to their defensive game plan because of his ability to guard the ball, but his ability to set the table for others and generate paint touches is also massive. Butler has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that caused him to miss Saturday’s SEC tournament semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide but hopes to be healthy enough to play in the Big Dance. Kentucky’s hopes of an extended stay may depend on his ability to get and stay on the floor.”

SB Nation’s Rickey O’Donnell: Sweet 16

“Illinois and Kentucky both take care of business to form a fascinating round of 32 matchup between two teams who rebuilt their entire roster over the offseason. I’ll take Kentucky as the winner of that matchup to reach the Sweet 16. Tennessee has an easy path to the Sweet 16 with a win over UCLA in the round of 32. I like Tennessee over Kentucky for the Elite Eight berth.”