UK Hoops earns 4 Seed in Lexington Region, faces Belmont first

After a long week of waiting, a 21-10 record, a top four finish in conference play, and a trip to the SEC Tournament semifinals, the Kentucky Hoops team found out their destination for the NCAA Tournament earlier this evening.

As expected, Matthew Mitchell's team received the 4 seed in the Lexington Region, confirming the recent projections of ESPN's Charlie Creme. Due to their being a top four seed, Kentucky earned the right to host first and second round matchups in Memorial Colosseum. If the Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16, they will play right down the street in Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats will take on the 13 seed Belmont on Friday, March 17th.The Bruins enter the tournament riding a 21-game winning streak and a sweep of the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles.

If Kentucky advances the winner of 5/12 matchup, Ohio State or Western Kentucky will await them on Sunday the 19th. The Buckeyes shared the Big Ten regular-season championship with Maryland. The Hilltoppers won both the C-USA crowns this season.

More than likely awaiting the winner of Kentucky's pod will be the 1 seed, ACC Champion, and perennial power Notre Dame Fighting Irish. However, the Irish need to dispose of 16 seed Robert Morris and either 8 seed Green Bay or 9 seed Purdue.

The Standford Cardinal, the 2 seed, and winners of the Pac 12 tournament face 15 seed New Mexico State in the first round. The winner of that game plays either 7 seed Kansas State or 10 seed Drake.

Number 3 seed Texas takes on the 14 seed Central Arkansas Sugar Bears in the opening round. 6 seed North Carolina State or 11 seed Auburn faces the winner of that game in the Round of 32.

The other 1 seeds are UCONN (Bridgeport Region), Baylor (Oklahoma City Region, and SEC rival South Carolina (Stockon Region).

Including UK, the SEC made an excellent showing and got seven teams into the dance.

Counting conference opponents, 12 teams that UK faced this year gained selection for the field.