Kentucky Wildcats a No. 4 seed in new ESPN Bracketology

Anyone know how the weather in Albany is during, say, the second week of March? Kentucky fans may be forced to find out if Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology holds over at ESPN.

Sitting at 7-2 on the year and ranked No. 13 in the updated men’s basketball AP Poll, Kentucky is projected as the No. 4 seed out of the East Region in New York.

In this scenario, the Wildcats would take on No. 13 James Madison in the opening round, which would set up a potential matchup vs. Rick Pitino and Iona — a No. 12 seed — in the Round of 32 (assuming the Gaels can upset No. 5 seed Maryland, of course). Should Kentucky advance to the Sweet Sixteen, UConn could potentially be waiting there as the No. 1 seed in the region, followed by a potential matchup vs. No. 2 seed Kansas in the Elite Eight with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

Elsewhere, Purdue is the No. 1 overall seed in the South (Louisville), with Alabama in the West (Las Vegas) and Virginia in the Midwest (Kansas City) making up the other top seeds.

Tennessee (South), Arizona (West) and Houston (Midwest) are the other No. 2 seeds, while Baylor (South), Duke (East), Texas (West) and Arkansas (Midwest) make up the No. 3 seeds. UCLA (South), Gonzaga (West) and Indiana (Midwest) join Kentucky as the No. 4 seeds.

As for conference foes, Auburn and Mississippi State are No. 5 seeds in the South and Midwest, respectively, putting the SEC’s total number of representatives at six.

What do you think, BBN? Is a No. 4 seed fair at this point in the season?