Kentucky’s NCAA title stock is trending up

After an impressive defensive display against Kansas, the Kentucky Wildcats’ title odds are trending up.

At the start of the season, most analysts, experts and fans had Kentucky either winning the championship or a lock to make the Final Four. They impressed many during their Bahamas trip, and they had several key returning players to go with a rare senior on the team, not to mention the No. 2 recruiting class.

With that being said, things changed rather quickly after Duke dismantled this team in the very first game of the year. It seemed as if all of the national attention this team received just disappeared. Many were writing them off and all anyone could talk about is how great Duke was and how bad Kentucky was, especially after the loss to Seton Hall.

Fast forward a month, and Kentucky has now won nine of their last 10 games, six straight, and three straight against top-25 teams. To say their stock is trending up is an understatement. The Cats have now propelled themselves back firmly in the conversation for the national championship, and the oddsmakers have taken notice.

BetOnline has given Kentucky the fifth-best chance of taking home the national title this season. Check out the full list below:

While Duke is still a heavy favorite, there is plenty of time left in the season for the Cats to make up ground. Another familiar foe is ahead of this Kentucky team, and that’s Tennessee. Those two teams matchup in a couple weeks and it is sure to be a juggernaut of a game in Rupp Arena.

The month of January was great for Kentucky, and now it’s time to build from this and improve going forward. The road does not get easier as the Cats get deeper into conference play, but it will be an exciting ride to March.

Buckle up!