A Sea Of Blue - All PostsOnline Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2024-03-19T06:40:00-04:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T06:40:00-04:002024-03-19T06:40:00-04:00Tuesday Headlines: Reed Sheppard wins National Freshman of the Year Award
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Quarterfinal-Texas A&amp;M vs Kentucky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SbPmBnpCftX78VNN657NZJTfLrA=/0x391:2863x2300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73217219/usa_today_22785590.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Another major honor for the Kentucky product.</p> <p id="Cvv9yz"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/sports/mbball/">Kentucky Basketball</a> star Reed Sheppard has really shot up the ranks in his first season of college basketball. He entered the year as the <a href="https://247sports.com/player/reed-sheppard-46102800/">79th-ranked recruit</a> but ended the year as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s National Freshman Player of the Year.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reed Sheppard of <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KentuckyMBB</a> wins 2024 Wayman Tisdale Award as our National Freshman Player of the Year <a href="https://t.co/7lfDeCJcDH">https://t.co/7lfDeCJcDH</a> <a href="https://t.co/aYdCKSnE6I">pic.twitter.com/aYdCKSnE6I</a></p>— U.S. Basketball Writers Association (@USBWA) <a href="https://twitter.com/USBWA/status/1769786143749341514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="C6x3xr">In addition to this recognition, he was also named SEC Freshman of the Year and received Second-Team All-SEC honors.</p>
<p id="eAxA7s">Sheppard has been extraordinary all season for the Wildcats, helping lead the team to a 23-8 record in the regular season. He averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game.</p>
<p id="INFdTD">Not only is he incredibly well-rounded, but Sheppard is also efficient with the basketball.</p>
<p id="opWzyf">The UK guard made 54% of his field goal attempts and was mightily impressive (52%) from behind the three-point arc.</p>
<p id="cGfdBO">It’s just the third time in program history that a Kentucky player has won the award, with the previous two being John Wall (2010) and Anthony Davis (2012). Both of those players were No. 1 overall picks in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA draft</a> and went on to appear in multiple NBA All-Star games.</p>
<p id="lEpTuV">Sheppard is the first player in program history to win the award while primarily coming off of the bench, starting in just five of his 32 games played this season.</p>
<p id="ud6mDr">If the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Wildcats</a> are to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Sheppard’s performance will likely have a lot to do with it.</p>
<h2 id="VCrjlQ"><strong>Tweet of the Day</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Work still to be done. Victory is earned .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreUK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/WT1rFBjqL4">pic.twitter.com/WT1rFBjqL4</a></p>— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKBaseball/status/1769813330846199896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="ksDRK2">Coming off a weekend sweep of No. 25 Georgia.</p>
<h2 id="GsaP4d"><strong>Headlines</strong></h2>
<p id="da6bGU"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/03/18/kentucky-football-begins-spring-practice-on-tuesday/">Kentucky Football Begins Spring Practice on Tuesday – UK Athletics</a></p>
<p id="SVNmbx">After a school-record eighth consecutive bowl game appearance in 2023, the Kentucky football team begins spring practice on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="JrZunK"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/03/18/reed-sheppard-named-usbwa-wayman-tisdale-national-freshman-of-the-year/">Reed Sheppard Named USBWA Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year - UK</a></p>
<p id="Z5uuct">For the third time in program history, the nation’s best freshman is a Kentucky Wildcat.</p>
<p id="ubD4ov"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/03/18/womens-soccer-releases-spring-schedule/">Women’s Soccer Releases Spring Schedule – UK Athletics</a></p>
<p id="AzOLkz">The Wildcats spring slate includes two matches in Lexington.</p>
<p id="I5PY16"><a href="https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2024/03/18/this-isnt-kentucky-basketball-or-is-it/vaughts-views/tinacox/">This Isn’t Kentucky basketball, Or Is It? - Vaught’s Views</a></p>
<p id="89A82x">Does Calipari seem “off” to anyone else?</p>
<p id="rihgKT"><a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39761968/alabama-coach-kalen-deboer-make-10875-million-per-year">Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer to make $10.875 million per year - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="ZM0vcn">Not wasting any time.</p>
<p id="2sKJkO"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/kentuckys-final-four-odds-have-been-set-plus-oakland-props/">Kentucky’s Final Four odds have been set - KSR</a></p>
<p id="6MRZiC">Lots of “experts” like the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="zO0Xsy"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39760261/leighton-vander-esch-retiring-release-cowboys">Leighton Vander Esch retiring after release from Cowboys - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="jfqyHU">So many major injuries.</p>
<p id="6kxNu6"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/three-defensive-improvements-for-the-ncaa-tournament/">Three Defensive Improvements for the NCAA Tournament - KSR</a></p>
<p id="YzSq2C">They can start by guarding the 3-point line.</p>
<p id="oYCXdD"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39762359/source-blake-snell-agrees-2-year-62m-deal-giants">Blake Snell agrees to 2-year, $62M deal with Giants - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="myc1RJ">Big bag.</p>
<p id="t4zmki"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/rhp-mason-moore-excelling-through-first-five-career-starts/">Mason Moore excelling through first five career starts - KSR</a></p>
<p id="cVHGoS">He’s becoming a star.</p>
<p id="iWUgMF"><a href="https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39760072/womens-march-madness-ncaa-favorite-south-carolina-dawn-staley">Women’s March Madness favorite South Carolina eyes third title - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="pRz1gw">Who are you rooting for?</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/19/24105490/uk-wildcats-news-reed-sheppard-wins-national-freshman-of-the-year-awardJohn Morgan Francis2024-03-19T06:15:00-04:002024-03-19T06:15:00-04:00Prediction roundup for Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament
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<figcaption><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/DylanBallard_UK" target="_blank">Dylan Ballard - A Sea Of Blue</a></figcaption>
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<p>A lot of folks are high on the Cats entering the Big Dance.</p> <p id="LFZLNY">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a> are starting their preparation for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Thursday night, which will kick off both teams' hopeful NCAA Tournament runs. </p>
<p id="tFoiUi">Unfortunately, this will be the final game of the tourney for one of these teams, and everyone in the BBN is hoping it’s not the Cats. </p>
<p id="OOHbZz">Heading into the tournament, the Cats have one of the wilder resumes. They have knocked off teams like North Carolina, Auburn, and Tennessee. They also have losses to UNC-Wilmington and <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>. What does all of that mean? Well, mostly any given game could be a coin flip.</p>
<p id="xLzPOt">Despite this, the Cats are a trendy pick to make a run this March as they got placed in the South Region, which features several teams that play similar styles to the UK. Because of that fact, many across the national college basketball landscape are predicting a lengthy March run for this electric Kentucky team. </p>
<p id="ymhvaJ">Led by Antonio Reeves on the offensive end of the court, the Cats will be playing in a bracket that features a lot of quick offenses and porous defenses. The perfect recipe for this Kentucky team throughout the season. </p>
<p id="9O2su7">Need an example? Look at what this team did to Alabama at Rupp Arena. </p>
<p id="IQu6Zn">Now, that doesn’t mean this team couldn’t lay an egg in one matchup, but it does mean we should like their chances. </p>
<p id="94kqd5">With all of that being said, let’s dive into some predictions for the Cats heading into this year's NCAA Tournament: </p>
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<strong>Seth Greenberg (ESPN): </strong>National Runner-up (losing to <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UCONN</a>)</li>
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<strong>Jay Bilas (ESPN):</strong> Elite Eight (losing to Houston) </li>
<li id="7eODzX">
<strong>Jay Williams (ESPN):</strong> Final Four (losing to Tennessee)</li>
<li id="MqWipg">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/39753889/2024-ncaa-tournament-instant-bracket-espn-predicts-how-men-march-madness"><strong>Jeff Borzello (ESPN):</strong></a> Elite Eight (losing to Houston) </li>
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<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket/expert-picks-and-anaylsis/"><strong>Jerry Palm (CBS):</strong></a> Sweet Sixteen (losing to Marquette)</li>
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<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket/expert-picks-and-anaylsis/"><strong>Matt Norlander (CBS):</strong></a><strong> </strong>Elite Eight (losing to Houston) </li>
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<strong>Clark Kellogg (CBS):</strong> Final Four (losing to Purdue)</li>
<li id="F9ST8a">
<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-03-17/march-madness-predictions-andy-katz-makes-his-2024-di-mens-basketball-bracket"><strong>Andy Katz:</strong></a> Final Four (losing to Purdue)</li>
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<strong>Dick Vitale (ESPN):</strong> National Champions (defeating UCONN) </li>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/19/24104975/kentucky-basketball-predictions-roundup-2024-ncaa-tournament-picksEthan DeWitt2024-03-19T06:00:00-04:002024-03-19T06:00:00-04:00Rob Dillingham partners with Kim Kardashian and SKIMS
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 09 Kentucky at Tennessee" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gtyPz3JRVPNoHI6kdEL_odv5z-4=/485x279:5846x3853/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73217194/2064218966.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Kentucky guard officially joins the SKIMS team.</p> <p id="3coW35">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a> are officially gearing up for the 2024 NCAA Tournament this week. They are set to take on Oakland in the first round on Thursday.</p>
<p id="aDC3oS">As the team gears up for the game, Kentucky freshman guard Rob Dillingham has officially announced a new deal.</p>
<p id="PD4aUm">With the new NIL world, Dillingham has partnered with Kim Kardashian and SKIMS.</p>
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<p id="ZlbwYf">Dillingham is one of six college basketball players, SKIM March All-Stars, to join Kim and her brand.</p>
<p id="lOOtfW">Dillingham is joined by Paxson Wojcik (UNC), Jared McCain (Duke), Hunter Dickinson (Kansas), Caleb Love (Arizona), and Donovan Clingan (<a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a>).</p>
<p id="YJ3AHc">SKIMS partnered with SLAM for this line of clothing and SLAM wrote, “These college stars don’t just have next, but right now. If Gen Z is the most online generation, then this group of hoopers are more like Generation Cool. They’re innovative. Stylish. Unapologetically themselves on and off the court.”</p>
<p id="riAdWc">Kim Kardashian even shared the new line of clothing featuring the college stars on her Instagram as well.</p>
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<p id="bfVADA">Dillingham continues to bring in the national attention and has become a well-known star for the Kentucky Wildcats.</p>
<p id="h5Pvtn">The new line will officially drop just before the first game of the tournament on Thursday at 12 PM ET. </p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/19/24105468/rob-dillingham-partners-kim-kardashian-skims-uk-basketball-kentuckyPatrickJCarey2024-03-18T16:03:25-04:002024-03-18T16:03:25-04:00Liam McNeeley contacted by Kentucky after decommitting from Indiana
<figure>
<img alt="Bob McKillop Invitational At Hofstra University" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XLVEd4V7ng2Ypfv95mZBtE02mgo=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216229/2017564707.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage</figcaption>
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<p>The McDonald’s All-American has interest from Kentucky and Kansas among other big-name programs.</p> <p id="4NQStv">The NCAA Tournament may be here, but recruiting never stops for the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a>.</p>
<p id="CrhUcm">With Kentucky likely losing most of its roster heading into the 2023-24 season, John Calipari has a lot of work on his hands to rebuild this roster.</p>
<p id="q9vpi9">It just so happens that one of the top recruits in the class of 2024 is available after 5-star forward <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/liam-mcneeley-46103856/">Liam McNeeley</a> recently decommitted from the <a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com">Indiana Hoosiers</a>. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound McDonald’s All-American is ranked 15th overall by <a href="https://247sports.com/Season/2024-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool">247 Sports Composite</a> and plays at Montverde Academy in Florida.</p>
<aside id="VCb6Ya"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Travis Perry named Kentucky Mr. Basketball","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104502/travis-perry-kentucky-mr-basketball-2024"},{"title":"How recent history is against Kentucky (and Alabama) making the Sweet 16","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24105077/ncaa-bracket-history-kentucky-wildcats-alabama-sweet-16-college-basketball"}]}'></div></aside><p id="ZnYoyM"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Article/latest-intel-on-5-star-indiana-decommitment-liam-mcneeley-228899749/">According to 247 Sports’ Travis Branham</a>, Kentucky is among the schools to contact McNeeley since he became available. Other schools to reach out include the <a href="https://www.rockchalktalk.com">Kansas Jayhawks</a>, <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies, <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a>, Auburn Tigers, and Florida Gators. Kansas was the runner-up when McNeeley committed to Indiana. Since going back on the market, Kansas has been the perceived favorite, but that hasn’t stopped Coach Cal from checking in.</p>
<p id="5bBKrE">The plan is for McNeeley to focus on the Chipotle Nationals as he looks to lead Montverde to a high school national championship in April and then potentially visit schools afterward. So even if Kentucky makes a serious push, we’re still weeks away from things getting kicked into the next gear.</p>
<p id="ys3Pc1"><a href="https://247sports.com/Player/liam-mcneeley-46103856/">Go here for a scouting report on McNeeley via 247’s Brandon Jenkins</a>, who describes the big man as “one of the most consistently productive and reliable basketball players in the class.”</p>
<div id="VOgVWq"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hhAXBi_B4dw?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="4An2iY"><a href="https://twitter.com/aseaofblue"><em>Follow our Twitter</em></a><em> and</em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/GoASoB/posts/"><em> Facebook pages</em></a><em> for more UK news and views. And Go CATS!!</em></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24105153/liam-mcneeley-kentucky-basketball-indiana-hoosiers-kansas-jayhawksJason Marcum2024-03-18T15:12:08-04:002024-03-18T15:12:08-04:00How recent history is against Kentucky (and Alabama) making the Sweet 16
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<img alt="SPORTS-BKC-CLAY-COLUMN-LX" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uBXCxOOYdYtZhsEfZQTQKTCGugA=/472x14:3000x1699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216081/2031356267.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The defense has to do better, or Kentucky is in serious danger of another first-weekend upset.</p> <p id="bszTKx">Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: <a href="https://ukathletics.com/sports/mbball/">Kentucky Basketball</a> is one of the more volatile teams in America.</p>
<p id="eBAg8e">It feels like some version of that sentence has been uttered for months now. We got a great example of this in December when Kentucky lost at home to a UNC Wilmington team that finished 21-10 overall, fourth in the Coastal Athletic Association, and was ousted in the first round of the CAA Tournament. But just two weeks later, <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky</a> scored a neutral-court win over a North Carolina team that went 27-7 and earned a 1-seed in the Big Dance.</p>
<p id="DSzh7M">That kind of volatility persisted in SEC play, highlighted by Kentucky’s win at then-No. 4 Tennessee — likely costing the Vols that 1-seed UNC ended up getting — only to get manhandled by a bubble <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> team in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC Tournament</a>. No team that lost its first conference tournament game has ever won the NCAA Tournament, so history is already against Kentucky winning it all.</p>
<aside id="Ms4Gvo"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"John Calipari and Wildcats react to NCAA Tournament reveal","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104948/uk-wildcats-john-calipari-ncaa-tournament-reveal-kentucky"},{"title":"Travis Perry named Kentucky Mr. Basketball","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104502/travis-perry-kentucky-mr-basketball-2024"}]}'></div></aside><p id="GJHtVr">While many have stayed on the ‘Kentucky can win it all’ bandwagon throughout the season, <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Kentucky">KenPom</a> has never been quite as high on the Cats. The advanced analytics service currently has them ranked 19th overall in college basketball, largely due to their 108th-ranked defensive efficiency compared to their fifth-overall ranking in offensive efficiency.</p>
<p id="BkYMvM">Why is that notable? Since 2004, no team with a KenPom defensive efficiency outside the top 100 and offensive efficiency inside the top 10 made it to the Sweet 16, according to Cody Mitchell on Twitter.</p>
<div id="ILFLSG">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since 2004, no team has made it to the Sweet 16 with a top 10 KenPom Offense & a Defense outside of the top 100. Two teams fit the criteria this year<br><br>Alabama (2nd in Offense, 112th in Defense)<br>Kentucky (5th in Offense, 108th in Defense)</p>— Cody Mitchell (@CMitchellHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMitchellHoops/status/1769771349428379731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="2eIdgY">The last team to do so was the <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Wake+Forest&y=2004">Chris Paul-led Wake Forest team</a> that fell to St. Joe’s in the Sweet 16. Those Demon Deacons had a similar KenPom profile as Kentucky, ranking first in offensive efficiency and 102nd in defensive efficiency.</p>
<p id="D97fba">Some will point to last year’s <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Miami+FL&y=2023">Miami team</a> as a team to buck that trend, but the Canes barely missed the cut line, finishing 99th in defensive efficiency while sporting the sixth-best offensive efficiency.</p>
<p id="KOhaNq">Of course, a few good defensive performances this week ‘could’ push Kentucky into the top 100. If anything, this nugget is yet another example of why, despite such a high-powered offense, Kentucky’s defense must improve to make a meaningful run in the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p id="vSZfFS">Or else, we’ll be looking at another first-weekend exit for John Calipari, who hasn’t been to a Sweet 16 since the 2018-19 season.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24105077/ncaa-bracket-history-kentucky-wildcats-alabama-sweet-16-college-basketballJason Marcum2024-03-18T14:22:25-04:002024-03-18T14:22:25-04:00Monday Headlines: Kentucky in the New College Basketball Rankings (UPDATE)
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<img alt="Antonio Reeves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5xNOjA3V7HxN680KGqtytSau_r4=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214605/IMG_3579.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/DylanBallard_UK" target="_blank">Dylan Ballard - A Sea Of Blue</a></figcaption>
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<p>Here’s where the Cats stand heading into the NCAA Tournament.</p> <p id="fHvcKk">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a> took a small dip in the latest round of college basketball rankings.</p>
<p id="gb9dXh">The new <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">AP Top 25 Poll</a> has the Cats falling to No. 12 overall.</p>
<p id="pvpxH2"><a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/basketball/ncaab/coaches-poll">The Coaches Top 25 Poll</a> also has them down to No. 12.</p>
<p id="LMaXiq"><a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2024-ncaa-tournament-bracket-ranking-every-team-playing-in-march-madness-from-no-1-to-68/">CBS Sports</a> ranks Kentucky at No. 13 and Oakland at No. 58.</p>
<p id="heSR6A"><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings">The NET rankings</a> have Kentucky at No. 19 and Oakland at No. 126.</p>
<p id="imy6fu"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bpi">ESPN BPI</a> has the Cats down at No. 21 and Oakland at No. 130.</p>
<p id="V42SKg"><a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Kentucky">KenPom</a> has Kentucky at No. 19 and Oakland at No. 137.</p>
<p id="CHztkX"><a href="https://www.barttorvik.com/trank.php#">BartTorvik</a> ranks the Cats No. 25 and Oakland No. 137.</p>
<p id="ko95gU"><a href="https://www.dratings.com/teams/ncaa-college-basketball-ratings/3032-kentucky-wildcats">DRatings</a> has Kentucky at No. 14 and Oakland at No. 151.</p>
<p id="mebhja"><a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/17/24104267/2024-ncaa-tournament-seed-rankings-list-uk-wildcats-basketball-kentucky">The NCAA’s seed rankings</a> have Kentucky No. 11 overall and Oakland No. 55.</p>
<p id="nI8733">Where do you think the Cats should be ranked? Sound off in the comments section!</p>
<p id="ATukro"></p>
<aside id="P2lwng"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"John Calipari and Wildcats react to NCAA Tournament reveal","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104948/uk-wildcats-john-calipari-ncaa-tournament-reveal-kentucky"},{"title":"Dick Vitale picks Kentucky to win it all","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/17/24104350/dick-vitale-kentucky-basketball-win-ncaa-tournament-picks-uconn-huskies-uk"},{"title":"John Calipari says team cried after SEC Tournament loss","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104512/uk-basketball-john-calipari-team-cried-sec-tournament-texas-am-kentucky"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="aZ0bVG">
<p id="9RV6UZ">When <a href="https://ukathletics.com/sports/mbball/">Kentucky Basketball</a> lost to <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> on Friday, it marked the second consecutive season that the Wildcats failed to win a game in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC Tournament</a>. They never really had any control over their loss to the Aggies and appeared to take quite a few steps back with the loss.</p>
<p id="wOE3rt">But Sunday’s selection committee didn’t seem to see it that way.</p>
<p id="zXyJ6U">Kentucky came into the weekend as a projected 3-seed, and many national analysts believed the loss to A&M would move them back to a 4-seed. However, when the selection committee made their decision on Sunday, Kentucky was placed as the 3-seed in the South Region.</p>
<p id="6vMTER">Kentucky will open the first round against Oakland on Thursday. The Wildcats are 13.5-point favorites, with ESPN’s Basketball Power Index giving them an 89.1% chance to win. The game is being played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.</p>
<p id="qaJ28v">If the Wildcats are able to advance past Oakland, they’ll play the winner of 6-seed Texas Tech and 11-seed <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a> on Saturday. <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/17/24104271/2024-ncaa-tournament-bracket-print-download">A full bracket can be found here</a>.</p>
<p id="spqnW9">The selection committee recognized Kentucky as the No. 11 overall team in their final rankings. Tennessee (No. 5 overall) was the only SEC team ranked above the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="Vz1hYO">Auburn (No. 15), Alabama (No. 16), South Carolina (No. 24), and Florida (No. 25) were the four other SEC teams ranked in the top-25.</p>
<p id="OGbBL3">Looking at the analytics, Kentucky enters the Big Dance ranked No. 18 in <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings">NET</a>, No. 19 in <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php">KenPom</a>, No. 25 at <a href="https://www.barttorvik.com/team.php?team=kentucky">BartTorvik</a>, and No. 14 at <a href="https://www.dratings.com/sports/ncaa-college-basketball-ratings/">DRatings</a>.</p>
<p id="Zabw3Y">Let us know where you think the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> should be ranked in this week’s AP Top-25 and how they’ll fare in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<h2 id="4tcHxy"><strong>Tweet of the Day</strong></h2>
<div id="ODwXVt">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="qme" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsDance?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsDance</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZkmuSsJaey">pic.twitter.com/ZkmuSsJaey</a></p>— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1769497049412849827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="lf9rCC">Dillingham looking dialed in.</p>
<h2 id="UtKEch"><strong>Headlines</strong></h2>
<p id="YV5uD8"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/03/17/kentucky-selected-for-record-61st-ncaa-tournament/">Kentucky Selected for Record 61st NCAA Tournament – UK Athletics</a><br>Kentucky is set to play Oakland for the first time in program history although UK is 12-0 all-time vs. teams from the Horizon League.</p>
<p id="NoXDEW"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/john-calipari-goes-way-back-oakland-hc-greg-kampe/">John Calipari goes ‘way back’ with Oakland HC Greg Kampe: ‘He’s a great coach.’ - KSR</a></p>
<p id="Ta8n78">The head coach of Kentucky’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup, Oakland’s Greg Kampe, is a longtime friend of John Calipari’s.</p>
<p id="ShFmSa"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/03/17/kentucky-sweeps-no-25-georgia-in-run-rule-victory/">Kentucky Sweeps No. 25 Georgia in Run-Rule Victory – UK Athletics</a></p>
<p id="NiQNV1">Ryan Nicholson homered twice, Emilien Pitre homered and doubled and Mason Moore was electric on the mound as Kentucky scored a run-rule 12-2 seven-inning victory to sweep No. 25 Georgia.</p>
<p id="1Gjrug"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Article/march-madness-2024-dick-vitale-makes-final-four-picks-selects-kentucky-as-national-champion-228863048/">March Madness 2024: Dick Vitale makes Final Four picks, selects Kentucky as national champion - Cats Pause</a></p>
<p id="MMf3eD">The college basketball legend has spoken.</p>
<p id="AhQkns"><a href="https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2024/03/17/could-rob-dillingham-be-a-future-nba-all-star/vaughts-views/larryvaught/">Could Rob Dillingham be a Future NBA All-Star? - Vaught’s Views</a></p>
<p id="QsaDND">He’s an incredible scorer.</p>
<p id="nSG43y"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39754266/uconn-houston-purdue-north-carolina-secure-no-1-seeds">UConn, Houston, Purdue, North Carolina secure No. 1 seeds - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="YgvpFw">Which teams are in your final four?</p>
<p id="LS9wdZ"><a href="https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2024/03/17/photos-kentucky-softball-trumps-columbia/vaughts-views/johnmorgan/">PHOTOS – Kentucky Softball Trumps Columbia - Vaught’s Views</a></p>
<p id="Sv27KH">4-1 record in the John Cropp Classic.</p>
<p id="hrmZbN"><a href="https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/39754500/scheffler-repeats-players-clark-lip-18">Scheffler repeats at Players after Clark lip-out on 18 - ESPN</a></p>
<p id="8WGKJI">Intense finish.</p>
<p id="1cE4cI"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/jay-wright-believes-cats-make-2nd-weekend-kentucky-is-really-interesting-to-me/">Jay Wright believes ‘Cats will make it to 2nd weekend - KSR</a></p>
<p id="BVIN5y">For Calipari’s sake, let’s hope he’s right.</p>
<p id="ZYJElT"><a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ncaa-bracket-2024-printable-march-madness-bracket-tournament-seeds-to-be-set-selection-sunday/">March Madness bracket, tournament seeds & more - CBS Sports</a></p>
<p id="2AMRAP">A complete breakdown here.</p>
<p id="IVfk7w"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/cbs-analyst-clark-kellogg-picks-kentucky-make-final-four/">CBS analyst Clark Kellogg picks Kentucky to make Final Four - KSR</a></p>
<p id="ZPOPZe">Surprised?</p>
<p id="OeNTPB"><a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/kenny-pickett-trade-why-eagles-gave-up-more-for-former-steelers-qb-instead-of-trading-for-justin-fields/">Why Eagles gave up more for former Steelers QB - CBS Sports</a></p>
<p id="wSFKBu">Lot of movement in the NFL.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104393/kentucky-wildcats-college-basketball-rankings-top-25-pollsJohn Morgan FrancisJason Marcum2024-03-18T13:32:34-04:002024-03-18T13:32:34-04:00John Calipari and Wildcats react to NCAA Tournament reveal
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<figcaption><a class="ql-link" href="https://vimeo.com/924445799" target="_blank">UK Athletics</a></figcaption>
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<p>Do-or-die time is here.</p> <p id="uL5W21">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a> are officially dancing!</p>
<p id="u7VT69">On Selection Sunday, the Wildcats were tabbed a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament South Region. They’ll now turn their eyes to 14-seed Oakland in Thursday’s Round of 64 action. Other notable teams in the region include 1-seed Houston, 2-seed Marquette, 4-seed Duke, 5-seed Wisconsin, and 15-seed Western Kentucky.</p>
<p id="8oXsOM">It’s been a fun ride for the Cats so far, but now that it’s do-or-die time, they have to play every game like it's their last. Or else, it will be.</p>
<p id="rZ9657">After the big reveal, head coach John Calipari and select players spoke about the Big Dance. Here is a recap of what they had to say, as well as their reaction to learning their NCAA Tournament fate, courtesy of UK Athletics.</p>
<div id="sM9Puj"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.338%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/924445799?app_id=122963&byline=0&badge=0&portrait=0&title=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="z5dJpp"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.338%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/924439392?app_id=122963&byline=0&badge=0&portrait=0&title=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="AtdrJo"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.338%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/924439636?app_id=122963&byline=0&badge=0&portrait=0&title=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="s6m4i3"><em>Want more A Sea Of Blue coverage? Then</em><a href="https://twitter.com/aseaofblue"><em> follow our Twitter page</em></a><em> and</em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/GoASoB/posts/"><em> like us on Facebook</em></a><em> to get all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. And Go CATS!</em></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104948/uk-wildcats-john-calipari-ncaa-tournament-reveal-kentuckyJason Marcum2024-03-18T06:00:00-04:002024-03-18T06:00:00-04:00John Calipari says team cried after SEC Tournament loss
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<img alt="Huddle. Tre Mitchell. Ugonna Onyenso. Rob Dillingham." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JLzlIQAw_W8yDYuoxztTZ6vz1HU=/918x772:3723x2642/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214571/IMG_8923.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Dylan Ballard - A Sea Of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>The players were upset after their upset loss to Texas A&M.</p> <p id="x9cwk0">Since John Calipari arrived at <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky</a>, he has often downplayed the importance of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC Tournament</a>. </p>
<p id="Otxbf4">Even before traveling to Nashville, Calipari said this after the regular season finale, “You know the only tournament that matters to me. After this weekend, <em>that </em>tournament.”</p>
<p id="FlytWf">While it may not mean a lot to him personally, it is something that Kentucky fans have taken pride in for decades. The Wildcats have won 32 SEC Tournament titles, 24 more than Alabama who is in second with eight. </p>
<p id="kzv59k">With the Wildcats’ dominance of the event, it has inherited the name, “The Kentucky Invitational,” with THOUSANDS of fans annually traveling to watch Kentucky extend that record number.</p>
<p id="HDL6My">Of course, it is different to say those types of things when you’re still winning the games. But after starting 23-3 in the SEC Tournament in his tenure, Calipari is just 2-5 in the last five SEC Tournaments. With that, many fans have started to criticize his approach and general lack of care for the SEC Tournament.</p>
<p id="8JKiLS">In his Selection Sunday interview, Calipari talked about it.</p>
<p id="9kVnsY">“I feel bad for the fans that went to Nashville to see this team,” he said. “But you should have been in the locker room after the game. Dudes were in tears. In tears.”</p>
<p id="MDeirV">It is encouraging to see how much these players care, but to be fair, no one questioned the players. That said, Calipari said it’s not that he doesn’t convey it is important, but rather he attempts to take pressure off of them by encouraging them to look at the tournament differently.</p>
<p id="kxg5fJ">“I just don’t put pressure on them,” Cal said. “I say, ‘We’re playing for a seed. Don’t worry about the tournament, let’s play for a seed and win games.’”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Calipari says Kentucky players were in tears after losing to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament.<br><br>"I feel bad for the fans that went to Nashville to see this team. But you should have been in the locker room after the game. Dudes were in tears. In tears..."<br><br>(UK Athletics) <a href="https://t.co/1djzxBGroZ">pic.twitter.com/1djzxBGroZ</a></p>— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) <a href="https://twitter.com/TristanUda/status/1769550753457119398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/3/18/24104512/uk-basketball-john-calipari-team-cried-sec-tournament-texas-am-kentuckyTristan.Pharis