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Kentucky may have finally found its true potential. The Wildcats have won 11 straight, and have a full head of steam as they hit the NCAA Tournament with the SEC Championship (regular season AND postseason) under their belt. With that, Kentucky looks primed to make a deep March run.
The SEC Tournament was all about De’Aaron Fox’ star power, Bam Adebayo’s inside presence and Dominique Hawkins’ heart. With the tournament having concluded, the question is now where Kentucky fits in the seeding.
Fox was a star all tournament long
Fox finally got back to full health in game one of the SEC Tournament against Georgia, putting up 20 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal. He followed that up with arguably his best game of the year against Alabama, recording a career-high 28 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
He finished off his SEC Tournament MVP run with 18 points, two steals, two assists and two rebounds.
De'Aaron Fox gives Arkansas a little parting gift. pic.twitter.com/X3ICpn7eUU
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 12, 2017
De'Aaron Fox is so smooth. pic.twitter.com/QAbTSYbYvb
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 12, 2017
Adebayo was a rebounding machine
Adebayo had nine rebounds in the first game, a double-double in the second game with 10 rebounds and another nine rebounds against Arkansas, giving him 28 for the whole tournament. He also scored double figures in every game, scoring 13 against Georgia, 10 against Alabama and 17 against Arkansas.
Only thing missing from Bam Adebayo is a cape. pic.twitter.com/beBNNUa656
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 12, 2017
Hawkins was an unsung hero in the championship
Hawkins was all over the floor. He had nine points on 4-6 shooting from the field, with one made three in the first half. He hit another three in the second half, and ended up with 14 points, a career-high. He also tacked on four steals, two assists and two rebounds. He even drew multiple offensive fouls, helping his team with heart, toughness and intensity as always.
Ooh boy, Coach Cal gushing about Dominique Hawkins is the best thing you'll see today. #BBN pic.twitter.com/oUoIicSPNO
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 12, 2017
Dominique Hawkins. Again. pic.twitter.com/e1EZ4HqJet
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 12, 2017
Kentucky is looking like a No. 2 seed
The Wildcats came into the SEC Tournament needing a lot of help and a prayer to get a No. 1 seed, and while they took care of business in the SEC, and got the help of a few upsets, it’s still a pipe dream for the Cats to end up on the one line. Despite the fact that the Kansas Jayhawks and the North Carolina Tar Heels suffered upset losses in their conference tournaments, Joe Lunardi still has them both on the one line. Add in Villanova and Gonzaga, who have to be locks with the seasons they’ve had, and Kentucky is sitting on the two line.