KSR Today: Selection Sunday and positive news on Lamont Butler

Good morning, folks! We’ll learn Kentucky’s path to a ninth national championship in the NCAA Tournament later tonight. After the final conference tournament title games wrap up, it’ll be time for Selection Sunday.

The Wildcats certainly feel locked in as a 3-seed at this point, too. Mark Pope‘s crew was sitting on the 3-seed line all day Saturday and that’s where most bracket projections have them as of Sunday morning. For example, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has UK as a 3-seed going up against Troy in the opening round out in Milwaukee with a possible second-round matchup against the winner of 6-seed Illinois and 11-seed Drake. We’ll find out for sure this evening though.

Kentucky will have PG1 back on the floor for the postseason run, too. CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein dropped a positive bomb this morning, reporting that Lamont Butler WILL return for the Wildcats for the start of the NCAA Tournament. We all saw just how much his presence is needed when he sat out UK’s 29-point loss to Alabama on Friday. He’s a necessary piece moving forward. Butler is averaging 11.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 25.5 minutes per outing.

Kentucky's Lamont Butler (shoulder) will be available for the Wildcats' first NCAA Tournament game this week, per Mark Pope.

DNP in last game.

Averages 11.5 PPG and 4.3 APG.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2025

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is Sunday evening at 6 p.m. EST on CBS. Shortly after the dust settles, the KSR crew will gather for a live Selection Special on YouTube to hear Pope’s thoughts on the seeding. 

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Kentucky WBB in line to host first two rounds

After a terrific first season under new head Kenny Brooks, he has Kentucky women’s basketball in line to also earn a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would allow the Wildcats to host the opening two rounds inside Lexington’s Memorial Coliseum. As of last night, ESPN’s Charlie Creme is calling for UK to receive the 3-seed in the Birmingham Region with a first-round game coming against 14-seed Liberty. 6-seed West Virginia vs. 11-seed Iowa State/Columbia would fill out the remaining teams coming to Lexington.

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament bracket will be released shortly after the men’s. Tonight’s Selection Show begins at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

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Bat Cats in a rubber match

Nick Mingione and the boys have a terrific opportunity to steal a road series against one of the best teams in the country. After dropping game one on Friday to No. 4 Georgia, the Bat Cats (14-3, 1-1 SEC) bounced back with a thrilling 10-7 victory Saturday to even the series in front of a sold out crowd. That creates a rubber match this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.

With Saturday’s win, Kentucky put a stop to Georgia’s 18-game winning streak. The Bulldogs are off to one of the program’s best starts ever. But UK can slow them down today by winning the first SEC series of the season. Follow KSR’s Daniel Hager for live updates.

• G1 recap: Kentucky opens SEC play with 12-6 loss to No. 4 Georgia
• G2 recap: Kentucky bounces back with thrilling 10-7 win over No. 4 Georgia

Softball looks to avoid sweep

Meanwhile, Kentucky softball (17-9; 3-2 SEC) will look to avoid a sweep in its own series against one of the nation’s best. UK dropped games on Friday (4-1) and Saturday (6-4) on the road to No. 4 LSU but can steal game three this afternoon to create some momentum going into next week. First pitch against the Tigers, which now hold a 26-1 record, is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+. Follow KSR’s Eleanor Beavin for live updates.

Florida vs. Tennessee in SEC Tournament title

After watching Florida take Alabama to the woodshed by 22 points during Saturday’s SEC Tournament semifinal, I suddenly don’t feel as bad about Kentucky losing to the Crimson Tide by 29 the night before. The Gators only led by Alabama by two at halftime but unleashed hell in the second half, winning the final 20 minutes by 20 points. Florida has likely locked up a 1-seed because of that blowout win.

But they can cement that positioning (does the Committee still ignore Sunday games?) with a win today against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament title game. The Volunteers snuck past Auburn in the other semifinal to make the championship. It’ll be Florida vs. Tennessee this afternoon in Nashville with a big trophy on the line. These two teams split the season series 1-1.

Tipoff from Bridgestone Arena (any UK fans still in Nashville??) is set for 1:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Sacred Heart wing FIFTH straight Girls Sweet 16

With the help of a generational talent in ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart head coach Donna Moir has built a dynasty in Louisville. The Valkyries won its fifth straight KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 State Championship yesterday with a tight 65-60 win over George Rogers Clark. The score was tied 60-60 with 37 seconds to go, but a huge free throw from Tootie Jordan (who scored 19 points on the night) put Sacred Heart in front and ultimately lifted them to another state title.

Johnson, a five-star prospect who is committed to LSU, finished with 21 points on 7-14 shooting in the win. It capped off an unreal high school career for the future Tiger, who now has four state titles, four Sweet 16 MVPs, and four Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year awards (plus much more) under her belt.

“She is without a doubt the best high school player to ever play in Kentucky” –@DonnaBenderMoir

ZaKiyah Johnson with an UNREAL high school career that includes 4 State Championships, 4x State Tourney MVP, 4x KY Gatorade POY, among many other accomplishments🐐 @ZJohnson_06 pic.twitter.com/9iX9SqrOzH

— Alyx White (@alyxwhite_) March 16, 2025

[Sacred Heart’s record-breaking dynasty lives on following 65-60 win over GRC in KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 State Championship]